Cycling in Switzerland
Alpine Panorama Route
Stage 4, Flüelen–Sörenberg
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Alpine Panorama Route
Stage 4, Flüelen–Sörenberg
Lake Lucerne is a lake with many faces in the heart of Switzerland and often whipped up by the wind. Lovely Lake Sarnen is close to where Brother Klaus, also known as Niklaus von der Flüe, once lived. And the crowning glory for bike riders: Panoramastrasse, a steep mountain pass leading to the Entlebuch valley.
Lake Lucerne is the fifth largest lake in Switzerland. Its German name is linked to the country’s four original cantons (Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne). The southern part between Flüelen and Brunnen is known as Lake Uri and it is usually a bit on the wild side. Traveling by regular boat service is a great alternative to the busy road along the shore. A boat trip is a lot of fun and Tell‘s Chapel can just as well be seen from the water. If you want to visit some Belle Epoque hotels, disembark in Brunnen. The car ferry in Gersau will later take you to Beckenried on the other side of the lake.
Between Beckenried and Buochs the tour follows the lake for a short while. Past the military airfield with Pilatus planes and along meadows, pastures and farmers bringing in the hay, the bike route continues to Stans, Nidwalden’s capital. If you don’t mind crowds of tourists, take a quaint funicular and a state-of-the-art double-decker gondola up to Stanserhorn Mountain. The views of a 100 km mountain chain and ten lakes are awe-inspiring. Alpnachersee, another part of Lake Lucerne, is a quiet spot. But Alpnachstad has a major highlight in store: the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, in operation since 1889, and with a gradient of up to 48 percent takes the travellers to Mt. Pilatus. However, the story of Niklaus von der Flüe goes even further back. Born in Flüeli above Lake Sarnen in 1417, the hermit from the Canton Obwalden is Switzerland’s patron saint. He was canonised in 1947.
Yodeller Ruedi Rymann is not a saint (at least, not yet), but the Schacherseppli discovery trail created in his honour in Giswil is an experience. Be prepared - the fun is over now: the road across Glaubenbielen Pass is steep and strenuous. On the side of the road you will see old farm houses and some of the steep mountainsides are still being mowed by hand. The lifts at Mörlialp make it obvious that this is a ski area in winter. No wonder the vegetation on the downhill ride through Mariental to Sörenberg is so vigorous and healthy. After all, you’re already in the region where the Entlebuch UNESCO biosphere reserve is located.
Between Beckenried and Buochs the tour follows the lake for a short while. Past the military airfield with Pilatus planes and along meadows, pastures and farmers bringing in the hay, the bike route continues to Stans, Nidwalden’s capital. If you don’t mind crowds of tourists, take a quaint funicular and a state-of-the-art double-decker gondola up to Stanserhorn Mountain. The views of a 100 km mountain chain and ten lakes are awe-inspiring. Alpnachersee, another part of Lake Lucerne, is a quiet spot. But Alpnachstad has a major highlight in store: the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, in operation since 1889, and with a gradient of up to 48 percent takes the travellers to Mt. Pilatus. However, the story of Niklaus von der Flüe goes even further back. Born in Flüeli above Lake Sarnen in 1417, the hermit from the Canton Obwalden is Switzerland’s patron saint. He was canonised in 1947.
Yodeller Ruedi Rymann is not a saint (at least, not yet), but the Schacherseppli discovery trail created in his honour in Giswil is an experience. Be prepared - the fun is over now: the road across Glaubenbielen Pass is steep and strenuous. On the side of the road you will see old farm houses and some of the steep mountainsides are still being mowed by hand. The lifts at Mörlialp make it obvious that this is a ski area in winter. No wonder the vegetation on the downhill ride through Mariental to Sörenberg is so vigorous and healthy. After all, you’re already in the region where the Entlebuch UNESCO biosphere reserve is located.
Lake Lucerne is a lake with many faces in the heart of Switzerland and often whipped up by the wind. Lovely Lake Sarnen is close to where Brother Klaus, also known as Niklaus von der Flüe, once lived. And the crowning glory for bike riders: Panoramastrasse, a steep mountain pass leading to the Entlebuch valley.
Lake Lucerne is the fifth largest lake in Switzerland. Its German name is linked to the country’s four original cantons (Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne). The southern part between Flüelen and Brunnen is known as Lake Uri and it is usually a bit on the wild side. Traveling by regular boat service is a great alternative to the busy road along the shore. A boat trip is a lot of fun and Tell‘s Chapel can just as well be seen from the water. If you want to visit some Belle Epoque hotels, disembark in Brunnen. The car ferry in Gersau will later take you to Beckenried on the other side of the lake.
Between Beckenried and Buochs the tour follows the lake for a short while. Past the military airfield with Pilatus planes and along meadows, pastures and farmers bringing in the hay, the bike route continues to Stans, Nidwalden’s capital. If you don’t mind crowds of tourists, take a quaint funicular and a state-of-the-art double-decker gondola up to Stanserhorn Mountain. The views of a 100 km mountain chain and ten lakes are awe-inspiring. Alpnachersee, another part of Lake Lucerne, is a quiet spot. But Alpnachstad has a major highlight in store: the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, in operation since 1889, and with a gradient of up to 48 percent takes the travellers to Mt. Pilatus. However, the story of Niklaus von der Flüe goes even further back. Born in Flüeli above Lake Sarnen in 1417, the hermit from the Canton Obwalden is Switzerland’s patron saint. He was canonised in 1947.
Yodeller Ruedi Rymann is not a saint (at least, not yet), but the Schacherseppli discovery trail created in his honour in Giswil is an experience. Be prepared - the fun is over now: the road across Glaubenbielen Pass is steep and strenuous. On the side of the road you will see old farm houses and some of the steep mountainsides are still being mowed by hand. The lifts at Mörlialp make it obvious that this is a ski area in winter. No wonder the vegetation on the downhill ride through Mariental to Sörenberg is so vigorous and healthy. After all, you’re already in the region where the Entlebuch UNESCO biosphere reserve is located.
Between Beckenried and Buochs the tour follows the lake for a short while. Past the military airfield with Pilatus planes and along meadows, pastures and farmers bringing in the hay, the bike route continues to Stans, Nidwalden’s capital. If you don’t mind crowds of tourists, take a quaint funicular and a state-of-the-art double-decker gondola up to Stanserhorn Mountain. The views of a 100 km mountain chain and ten lakes are awe-inspiring. Alpnachersee, another part of Lake Lucerne, is a quiet spot. But Alpnachstad has a major highlight in store: the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, in operation since 1889, and with a gradient of up to 48 percent takes the travellers to Mt. Pilatus. However, the story of Niklaus von der Flüe goes even further back. Born in Flüeli above Lake Sarnen in 1417, the hermit from the Canton Obwalden is Switzerland’s patron saint. He was canonised in 1947.
Yodeller Ruedi Rymann is not a saint (at least, not yet), but the Schacherseppli discovery trail created in his honour in Giswil is an experience. Be prepared - the fun is over now: the road across Glaubenbielen Pass is steep and strenuous. On the side of the road you will see old farm houses and some of the steep mountainsides are still being mowed by hand. The lifts at Mörlialp make it obvious that this is a ski area in winter. No wonder the vegetation on the downhill ride through Mariental to Sörenberg is so vigorous and healthy. After all, you’re already in the region where the Entlebuch UNESCO biosphere reserve is located.
Length
77 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 77 km
Natural surface: 0 km
Natural surface: 0 km
Ascent | Descent
1650 m | 900 m
Fitness level
difficult
Arrival | return travel
More …
Danger: Axenstrasse (Brunnen–Flüelen)
Reason
Other
Along Lake Lucerne between Brunnen and Flüelen the route leads over the Axenstrasse. The Axenstrasse is narrow, heavily traveled and very dangerous. We strongly recommend you travel this stretch by train or with an attractive boat trip. Our recommendation is the No. 31 rail connection or No. 29 by boat for this stretch.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
31
Bypass Brunnen–Flüelen
Rail, bus, boat recommendation
Brunnen–Flüelen
Brunnen–Flüelen
or
Flüelen–Brunnen
Flüelen–Brunnen
Reason: dangerous stretch, Axenstrasse Brunnen–Sisikon.
Metres in height saved: approx. 150m.
SBB Timetable
Metres in height saved: approx. 150m.
29
Excursion Vierwaldstättersee
Rail, bus, boat recommendation
Beckenried–Flüelen SGV
Beckenried–Flüelen SGV
or
Flüelen SGV–Beckenried
Flüelen SGV–Beckenried
Reason: dangerous stretch, Axenstrasse Brunnen–Sisikon, metres in height saved 150m in both directions.
Cycle transport: limited space for bikes, no obligation to transport, special ticket required, from 5 persons: reservations at tel. 041 367 67 67.
Please note: departure point ferry and departure point scheduled boats approx. 1.5 km apart.
SBB Timetable
Cycle transport: limited space for bikes, no obligation to transport, special ticket required, from 5 persons: reservations at tel. 041 367 67 67.
Please note: departure point ferry and departure point scheduled boats approx. 1.5 km apart.
Hint
Rail/bus/boat: Vierwaldstättersee lake passage Gersau–Beckenried: please note boat recommendation No. 28 (ferry not in operation from mid-October to mid-March).
28
Crossing Vierwaldstättersee
Rail, bus, boat recommendation
Beckenried–Gersau
Beckenried–Gersau
or
Gersau–Beckenried
Gersau–Beckenried
Reason: crossing of Vierwaldstättersee.
Cycle transport: limited space for bikes, no obligation to transport, special ticket required, from 5 persons: reservations at tel. 041 367 67 67.
Please note: departure point ferry and departure point scheduled boats approx. 1.5km apart.
SBB Timetable
Cycle transport: limited space for bikes, no obligation to transport, special ticket required, from 5 persons: reservations at tel. 041 367 67 67.
Please note: departure point ferry and departure point scheduled boats approx. 1.5km apart.
Season
Season
Please note: Glaubenbielen pass open from approx. May to October. Info Tel 163.
More …
43
Ascent Glaubenbielen
Rail, bus, boat recommendation
Giswil, Bahnhof–Glaubenbielen, Parkplatz
Giswil, Bahnhof–Glaubenbielen, Parkplatz
or
Sörenberg, Rothornbahn–Glaubenbielen, Parkplatz
Sörenberg, Rothornbahn–Glaubenbielen, Parkplatz
Reason: metres in height saved Giswil–Glaubenbielen 1130m, Sörenberg–Glaubenbielen 340m.
Cycle transport: limited space, reservation required tel. 058 448 06 22.
SBB Timetable
Cycle transport: limited space, reservation required tel. 058 448 06 22.
