Route 1291 – or 7 days marvelling at the beauty of Switzerland

A postcard from Lucerne without the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower? Hardly conceivable. That’s what happens to me too when I set off on my e-bike from the railway station in Lucerne: only with a selfie with the Lucerne landmark on my smartphone do I leave the city in the direction of Küssnacht am Rigi. Shortly after Greppen, I make a detour to the Haldihof farm, where, in addition to fine brandies, there are also “bike-suitable” snacks such as dried fruit. From Weggis I cycle directly along Lake Lucerne. I am not surprised that this region is called the “Lucerne Riviera”. Palm trees line the idyllic villages of Weggis and Vitznau – Ticino sends its regards. A few kilometres follow along the lake promenade via Gersau to Brunnen, where I change to the boat. The 45-minute boat ride to Flüelen is a pleasure! From there it is not far to the stage destination of Altdorf.

The first few kilometres take me at a leisurely pace along the Reuss River in Uri, where I pass villages such as Schattdorf, Erstfeld, Silenen and Gurtnellen, which many people only know from the traffic jam reports on the radio. The rather rugged landscape fascinates me and hints that it could soon become steeper. In Wassen I can’t help smiling: the road makes a loop so that I can see the church from three sides. Anyone who knows the Lucerne comedian, Emil Steinberger, is bound to think of his act “Chileli vo Wasse”. After Göschenen, I reach the Schöllenen Gorge, which makes an impression with its imposing rock scenery and historic bridges. But even my legs feel the steepness, despite the E-support. So it’s fitting that the devil looks down on me from the legendary Devil’s Bridge. I definitely deserve a visit to the UELA Spa by Radisson Blu after this feat of strength and to round off the day!

Today I feel like a motorbike rider looking forward to a pass (but secretly hoping that there are not too many motorbikes on the road...). After leaving Andermatt via the unspoilt Ursern valley in the direction of Realp, the Furka is the first pass. For me, this pass with its view into the Rhône valley is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. During the ascent, I allow myself a short stop at the rustic “Alp Shop” at Alp Galenstock. On the Furka Pass, I cross the cantonal border into Valais, where the Grimsel Pass into the canton of Bern soon awaits me. At Grimselsee lake, I marvel at the legendary dam wall and the complex hydroelectric installations before whizzing down and making a detour into the impressive Aare Gorge in Innertkirchen. At the stage destination of Meiringen, I let today’s natural beauty and contrasts run through my mind once more and feel that this pass journey has demanded some exertion, despite the e-bike.

After another uphill section today – this time towards Hasliberg – I can take a breather for a few kilometres and enjoy the panorama. But with the Brünig Pass, I already have the next metres in altitude ahead of me. However, the Lungerersee lake on the other side of the Brünig is not only a feast for the eyes, but also a welcome bathing opportunity. After Giswil, I reach the Glaubenbielen Pass, an insider’s tip among the Swiss passes. The fact that the locals call it a panorama road underlines the advantages of this low-traffic route. With the Brienzer Rothorn in front of your eyes and cows in the green meadows, this section epitomises something like Switzerland out of a picture book. The icing on the cake is the view of the Unesco Biosphere Entlebuch. At the stage destination of Sörenberg, I reserved a room at the Hotel Rischli, including a wellness programme.

Today’s tour proves once again how varied Switzerland can be within a few kilometres. I cycle right through the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere. It is one of the largest moor landscapes in Switzerland and thus a small paradise for animals and plants. This beauty accompanies me the whole day. The Schrattenfluh with its bizarre rock formations is also an unforgettable sight. I also particularly like the end of the tour, which leads from Escholzmatt via Hasle to Entlebuch via the hilly Herzschlaufe Napf.

Contrasting mountains, lakes and small towns continue today. While the first kilometres on the Herzschlaufe Napf lead through rural areas and small villages towards the Napf region, I approach the flatter and more urban landscape. But first I enjoy the unique panorama in Menzberg, a good 1,000 metres above sea level. In Willisau, after a short walk through the beautiful, historic town, I can’t resist buying a pack of obligatory Willisauerringli. Via Alberswil, Ettiswil and Kottwil, I soon reach the village of Mauensee, which lies on the small lake of the same name. At the stage destination of Sursee, it is also not far to Lake Sempach. However, I decide to visit the small town, where I treat myself to a nightcap in front of the inviting town café.

The last day holds several more natural beauties in store for me. After Beromünster and Hitzkirch, I visit Heidegg Castle and Winery in the midst of the magnificent park and cultural landscape high above Lake Baldegg. Now that I’m on the last kilometres, I take on extra weight for my loved ones at home: at the Regiomarkt Hochdorf, I buy a few delicacies from the huge selection of 25 businesses from the Seetal. I’m a little afraid of the final kilometres through the Lucerne agglomeration – but wrongly so. The traffic hotspots in Rothenburg and Emmenbrücke are bypassed by rural zones, neighbourhood streets and good cycle paths. Still a bit flashed from all the impressions of the last few days and tired from the 8,000 metres of altitude, I treat myself to a dip in Lake Lucerne as a crowning finale!