Switzerland Biking Adventure

DAY 1

We meet at 1:00 PM in Bad Ragaz, swanky spa town located in the upper Rhine River Valley and at the foot of the Alps. After introductions, we will bicycle from our centrally-located hotel using a series of town bicycle paths, a paved trail on the Rhine River dike, and small farming roads. Our destination is the wine village of Malans, population 2,341. With five wineries located in town, you'll have the option to do a little tasting before biking back. Those seeking a longer ride have the option of several small roads switchbacking uphill into the nearby mountains. Routes: 22 or 35 Kilometers

DAY 2

Today we bicycle on Switzerland's Regional Route 53 from Bad Ragaz out to the Walensee, a large lake with towering cliffs looming straight up from the water. Our path first takes us through an idyllic (and flat) agricultural valley before reaching the lake and nestling between the waters and the railroad tracks with fast-moving trains whizzing past us. You'll have the option to take that local train back to Bad Ragaz or do it via bike. For a longer route, climb the narrow one-lane paved road from the shores of the Walensee up into the hills.  Distances: 31, 62, or 78 Kilometers

DAY 3

This morning we start with an optional three-mile hike in Bad Ragaz, getting us into the hills with a view of the valley and town below. We'll then bicycle down the Rhein valley paralleling the Rhein River, utilizing mostly small farming and country roads without traffic. Our hotel in the small town of Buchs is situated right next to a lake and a short stroll to the village of Werdenberg with its almost 800-year-old castle and amazing old wooden buildings. A longer option takes you into Lichtenstein and uphill to the ski resort and vacation town of Malbun. Distance: 22 or 52 kilometers

DAY 4

We keep moving down the Rhine Valley today, which means even while we meander left and right with the small roads and paths we are imperceptibly but distinctly biking downhill. The interesting thing about the route we are on today is that it reveals much about real life in Switzerland: farmers in their fields, school kids shouting in their playground, families barbecuing in a local park, and old ladies shuffling home from the store with a bag of groceries. All this on paved, mostly flat, and mostly smooth roads and paths. Our destination today is Altstätten, a historic walled village. For those whose legs are not tired, we have a beautiful loop ride to the town of Appenzell, a car-free Medieval village famous for its eponymous cheese and its classic Swiss setting in a verdant valley at the base of towering peaks. Distances: 15, 30, or 64 kilometers

DAY 5

Today we finish our time in the Rhine Valley by biking down to the town of St. Margrethen, where you have a choice. You can continue to the Bodensee bike path and on to Romanshorn on the shores of the lake, our destination for the night. Or you can take a side jaunt to Bregenz, a swanky Austrian town with a wonderful downtown. Tonight we sleep in an 800-year-old palace and can enjoy a drink while looking at sea birds gliding over the water. Distances: 48 or 72 Kilometers

DAY 6

We bicycle on the famous Bodensee bicycle route, a four-day tour around Lake Constance (the Bodensee in German) which is now the second most popular bicycle tour in Europe. You will never be on your own as we will be passed by and pass hundreds of cyclists. Today's route is an out (and back if you wish) route that parallels the lake the whole way but takes us through cute towns and past seaside cafes on our way to the city of Kreuzlingen. The long route option of the day is to cross another border, this time into Germany and the town of Konstanz, with a loop around the Untersee lake. Distances: 22, 44, or 95 Kilometers