The Alpine Panorama Route crosses the northern Alpine foreland with its many passes and gorges, tradition-rich culture, settlements and mountain farms. The strenuous, stamina-testing trip is rewarded with spectacular views.

The Alpine Panorama Route crosses the northern Alpine foreland with its many passes and gorges, tradition-rich culture, settlements and mountain farms.

The strenuous, stamina-testing trip is rewarded with spectacular views. A constant up and down in lovely, rolling Appenzell country, more forested and rugged in Toggenburg. A flat stretch in the alluvial Linth Plain before taking the Ziegerschlitz over the Klausenpass. Deep and powerful the Vierwaldstättersee, shallow the Sarnersee, Alpine the marshlands on the Glaubenbielenpass, gateway to Entlebuch, Gullies and hills in Emmental.

A breather in Bernese «cabbage country», limestone and detritus in the Sensegraben, cathedrals galore in Fribourg. Peaceful the landscape, man-made the lake: Lac de la Gruyère. The Gruyères Castle, a picture-postcard town. Idyll giving way to desolate Alpine pastures on Hongrin, with the occasional sound of army artillery fire. Relentless 1000 m height difference to the mild Rhone Valley.

Stages Places   Arrival / return travel  Rail, bus, boat recommendations 

Length485 km
of which unsurfaced: 10 km

 Height differenceSt. Margrethen–Aigle: 7'900 m
Aigle–St. Margrethen: 7'900 m

 RequirementsGrade: medium
Conditions: difficult

Helpful hintsGood degree of fitness and traffic experience an advantage on this route. The entire route is asphalted (except alternative section Chüblisbüehl near Sörenberg)

 SignalizationFor cycling, follow the logo indicated on the red signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your tour for safety's sake.