Between Lake Constance and Lake Geneva – the Mittelland Route

The journey from Lake Constance to Lake Geneva through the Swiss Mittelland begins in the pretty harbor town of Romanshorn. The journey is very easy: Several train lines lead you here and you can also take the ferry from Friedrichshafen.To warm up you leave Romanshorn on small side roads with almost no traffic, which are wonderful to cycle. You overcome smaller climbs and have a nice view of Lake Constance from above. You drive through one of Switzerland's most important fruit-growing regions and straight to Bluescht, the apple blossom, turns the area into a fabulous sea of flowers.In Hagenwil, the moated castle of the same name awaits you with its striking half-timbered structure. Shortly thereafter you will reach the Hudelmoos, a protected moor area that invites you to explore. On the rest of the stage, you roll slowly and without great inclines. Some pretty villages are on your way, such as Bischofszell with its "crooked bridge" from the year 1478.You drive for some kilometers through an idyllic landscape along the river Thur. Before your waypoint, there is still a small slope and then you have arrived in Wil. At first glance, the city is not quite as spectacular, but at second glance you will discover the pretty old town, perched on a hill above the Wilerweiher.

The second stage on the Mittelland route is a bit longer and hilly than the first, but you are already warmed up. Between the villages, which you cross, you drive again and again through beautiful landscapes. Wide fields, quiet forests and lush meadows are on your way.After about ten kilometers you reach the Bichelsee. Although it is mostly surrounded by reeds, you can swim in it and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery around the lake. For a little refreshment you will also find a kiosk there.It usually goes downhill to the Töss. The name of the river can be translated as "the roaring". You follow her for a few miles and cross her a few times. On their banks there are some picnic areas for your snack and several swimming spots.In Sennhof there are two possibilities for the onward journey: Either you follow the Töss, until you meet in Steig again on the main route of the Mittelland route. Or you go to Winterthur. The former industrial city has become a cultural city with its many museums. In addition, the many gardens, such as the Rose Garden or the Lindengut Park, offer the opportunity for relaxation.After the confluence of Töss and Kempt, an ascent begins over 130 meters up to the Bläsihof. From there it is almost only downhill to your stage destination Kloten. The city is mainly known for the airport and less for the great recreation area Hardwald, where you can take a long walk or relax in the outdoor pool.

You leave the center of Kloten and drive around the largest airport in Switzerland. From several points, you have a nice view of the airport and you can watch the planes taking off and landing. If the aviation is not that exciting and you prefer the quiet nature - no problem. After a small hill Kloten disappeared behind you and you end up in the nature reserve around the Katzensee, where you can cool off for free with free admission.The next few kilometers it goes flat until you reach Baden. The small town on the river Limmat is known for its beautiful old town. A large church and a castle ruin tower over the old town, where the half-timbered houses nestle against the river. On a covered wooden bridge you cross the Limmat and cross an incline before you descend into the valley of the Reuss.From the town of Brugg you follow the Aare until your destination Aarau. The path leads again and again through idyllic river landscapes and past several castles and palaces, such as at Wildenstein, Auenstein and Biberstein. In Auenstein, there is a beautiful nature monument right on the bike path: the Tuffgraben. Arriving in Aarau, you can stroll to the end of today's stage a bit in the old town or stay on the banks of the Aare.

The fourth stage on the Mittelland route is entirely dedicated to the Aare. But you do not always drive along the riverbank, but make a little dangling here and there. There are no long climbs on this stage, but often small hills that you overcome.Let's start in Aarau. You first drive to a small island that you leave via a weir. Shortly thereafter follows the next, elongated river island. After a good one hour drive you will reach Olten. The place is known to many only as a railway junction, but also has a pretty, small old town with a wooden bridge typical for this region.Between Olten and Aarburg you drive on a beautiful, almost spectacular bike path along the Aare. Here the river has dug deep into the landscape. The picturesque old town of Aarburg is ideal for a coffee break. If you have eaten too much cake, you can work off the calories with a small digestive walk on the 1000 stalk egg again. Whether the stairs really counts 1000 steps, you can check yourself.You will always meander through the countryside on the Aare River or near it, discovering many pretty places. You cross the river several times, sometimes even on beautiful covered wooden bridges. Your stage destination is Solothurn, which has a beautiful old town, several parks and an interesting art museum.

This stage also begins with a biking on the Aare. Even before you have left Solothurn, you have a great view of the Krummturm. Its name comes from the slightly crooked roof, which was intentionally constructed in this way. Shortly thereafter, a very beautiful route starts right next to the Aare, sometimes a little further away from her. Here the Aare is partially natural. In Altreu some stork colonies have settled down.You continue on the Aare River or one of its canals to Nidau, where the Nidau-Büren Canal flows into Lake Biel. Here you have already mastered half of the day's stage. Right next to Nidau lies the bilingual city of Biel / Bienne, where a detour is worthwhile. There you can stroll through the old town or on the shore or spend the lunch break in a café or restaurant.The ride on the southern shore of Lake Biel is slightly hilly, but you always have beautiful views of the lake and St. Peter's Island, which protrudes into the middle of the lake. The stage ends in the idyllic village of Ins. Here Friedrich Dürrenmatt was inspired to write his book "The Visit of the Old Lady".

It starts from Ins through a landscape, which is crossed by countless small and large canals. Overlooking the small Mont Vully, you cross the Broye Canal on a wooden bridge that connects Lake Murten with Lake Neuchâtel. Afterwards you also crossed the language border and you are now in French speaking Switzerland.You cycle almost the entire south side of Lake Neuchâtel, but rarely directly on the water. Because almost the entire bank is a nature reserve. On the way there are also some swimming spots and beaches, so you can see the lake from close up.The ride is not quite level, you always overcome some long, but not particularly steep climbs. From the top you have a beautiful lake panorama. A lunchtime or coffee break is especially recommended in Estavayer-le-Lac. In the small village right on the lake you will find some cafes on the shore or in the winding streets of the old town.The penultimate stage of the Mitelland bike path ends in Yverdon-les-Bains. You will first pass the stone row of Clendy, an impressive testimony to the megalithic culture. Then you make a swerve to the lake and finally reach the beautiful center of Yverdon-les-Bains.

The last leg of the Mittelland route takes you from the southern tip of Lake Neuchâtel south to the northern end of Lake Geneva. At the beginning you cycle in the countryside through a beautiful landscape. Small villages, canals and ponds are on your way.After the first climb you reach La Sarraz and the local castle of the same name. There, the Horse Museum is located in memory of the last mounted combat unit in Europe, which was stationed here until 1972.The next 20 kilometers is rarely flat. You are climbing several climbs and racing down some runs. However, the slopes are moderate. Just before the Olympic city of Lausanne, you can already see Lake Geneva sparkling in the distance. The entrance to the city is particularly idyllic: right on the lake is a beautiful, spacious park.The end point of the stage and thus the route through the Swiss Mittelland lies at the port of Lausanne. The city is ideal for a few extra days, because it has a lot to offer culturally and historically. From here you can also take the boat to Evian or cycle to Geneva.