3 North-South Route
3 North-South Route

Cycling in Switzerland

North-South Route

North-South Route

Basel–Chiasso

Route report
42 photos

VL_003_08_DSCN1067_R_F_M.jpg
North-South Route

North-South Route

The North–South Route leads through the large scenic Swiss regions of the Jura, Mittelland, Central Switzerland and over the Alps to the south. It follows many historically and culturally significant traffic routes and visits many places of interest.
The classic transit route follows major traffic routes and leads through large Swiss landscapes: the Jura, Mittelland, Central Switzerland then over the Alps to the south.

Basel, Liestal and Ergolztal: a busy, self-assured agglomeration. Lovely, peaceful landscapes of the Baselbieter Jura with the Schafmattpass. Thrilling ride down to Aarau. Off the beaten track through flat Suhrental, along Sempachersee, joining the stream of tourists in Luzern; now mountains fill the horizon. A complex water: the grandiose Vierwaldstättersee, often mild, but stormy when the Föhn wind blows.

Closely harried by traffic over the Teufelsbrücke bridge towards the Gotthard, the south beckons with a racy downhill ride. The climate changes, first granite, soon chestnut trees and vineyards, Bellinzona “La Turita” a glimpse of the vegetable garden of Magadino. Lago di Lugano with photogenic Morcote, at the end of the Mendrisiotto, a seething cauldron of railway, motorway, custom posts and shops.

Would you like to ride your bike far beyond the Swiss borders? The North-South Route is the centrepiece of the legendary Via Romea Francigena, EuroVelo 5, which connects seven European countries. From Chiasso the journey continues along the 1000-year-old pilgrimage route to the sunny port of Brindisi. Up north, it leads from Basel via the vineyards of the Alsace through Brussels, the capital of Europe, all the way to England.
The North–South Route leads through the large scenic Swiss regions of the Jura, Mittelland, Central Switzerland and over the Alps to the south. It follows many historically and culturally significant traffic routes and visits many places of interest.
The classic transit route follows major traffic routes and leads through large Swiss landscapes: the Jura, Mittelland, Central Switzerland then over the Alps to the south.

Basel, Liestal and Ergolztal: a busy, self-assured agglomeration. Lovely, peaceful landscapes of the Baselbieter Jura with the Schafmattpass. Thrilling ride down to Aarau. Off the beaten track through flat Suhrental, along Sempachersee, joining the stream of tourists in Luzern; now mountains fill the horizon. A complex water: the grandiose Vierwaldstättersee, often mild, but stormy when the Föhn wind blows.

Closely harried by traffic over the Teufelsbrücke bridge towards the Gotthard, the south beckons with a racy downhill ride. The climate changes, first granite, soon chestnut trees and vineyards, Bellinzona “La Turita” a glimpse of the vegetable garden of Magadino. Lago di Lugano with photogenic Morcote, at the end of the Mendrisiotto, a seething cauldron of railway, motorway, custom posts and shops.

Would you like to ride your bike far beyond the Swiss borders? The North-South Route is the centrepiece of the legendary Via Romea Francigena, EuroVelo 5, which connects seven European countries. From Chiasso the journey continues along the 1000-year-old pilgrimage route to the sunny port of Brindisi. Up north, it leads from Basel via the vineyards of the Alsace through Brussels, the capital of Europe, all the way to England.
370 km | 8 Stages
Asphalted: 334 km
Natural surface: 36 km
4600 m | 4600 m
medium

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Basel SBB
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

More …

Diversion, Aarau
Diversion, Aarau
Duration
02.02.2022 - 30.10.2022
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Diversion, Hirschthal
Duration
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2023
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Diversion, Giornico
Duration
until summer 2023
Reason
Other
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Diversion, Aarau
Duration
30.01.2023 - 31.08.2023
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
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
Diversion, Bedano-Manno
Duration
21.11.2022 - 31.12.2023
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Diversion, Emmen
Duration
01.07.2022 - 04.09.2022
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office

Hints

Guides
There is a guide available for this route in German and French.
More

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Chiasso
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Services

Accommodation

Hotel Bildungszentrum 21 AG
Hotel Bildungszentrum 21 AG
Basel
Cydonia Bett & Brot
Cydonia Bett & Brot
Basel
Jugendherberge Basel
Jugendherberge Basel
Basel
DASBREITEHOTEL
DASBREITEHOTEL
Basel
Hotel Baslertor
Hotel Baslertor
Muttenz
Courtyard by Marriott Basel
Courtyard by Marriott Basel
Pratteln
B&B Tomsi
B&B Tomsi
Pratteln
B&B Sunnesite
B&B Sunnesite
Pratteln
Hotel Restaurant Bienenberg
Hotel Restaurant Bienenberg
Liestal
Seiler's Hotel
Seiler's Hotel
Liestal
Hotel Engel Liestal
Hotel Engel Liestal
Liestal
BnB Obere Mühle Oltingen
BnB Obere Mühle Oltingen
Oltingen
B&B Alegria
B&B Alegria
Lostorf
Landgasthof Kreuz
Landgasthof Kreuz
Obergösgen
Rita’s Spycherli B&B
Rita’s Spycherli B&B
Stüsslingen
Gugenhof
Gugenhof
Stüsslingen
Landhotel Hirschen
Landhotel Hirschen
Erlinsbach
B&B Hochuli
B&B Hochuli
Küttigen
Hotel Traube Garni
Hotel Traube Garni
Küttigen
Hotel Kettenbrücke
Hotel Kettenbrücke
Aarau
zum graf bed & breakfast
zum graf bed & breakfast
Aarau
Bed & Breakfast Tuch & Laube
Bed & Breakfast Tuch & Laube
Aarau
Hotel Restaurant Ascott
Hotel Restaurant Ascott
Rombach
B&B zur Föhre
B&B zur Föhre
Rombach
Hotel Bären
Hotel Bären
Suhr
Wirtshaus Rütihof
Wirtshaus Rütihof
Gränichen
Gasthaus zum Rössli
Gasthaus zum Rössli
Triengen
Camping Sursee
Camping Sursee
Sursee
Focus Hotel
Focus Hotel
Sursee
BnB Bisang
BnB Bisang
Nottwil
TCS Camping Sempach
TCS Camping Sempach
Sempach
Swissfarm Wurzelbaumhaus
Swissfarm Wurzelbaumhaus
Neuenkirch
Gasthof + Spielparadies Chärnsmatt
Gasthof + Spielparadies Chärnsmatt
Rothenburg
B&B Haus im Löchli
B&B Haus im Löchli
Luzern
Jugendherberge Luzern
Jugendherberge Luzern
Luzern
Hotel Continental Park
Hotel Continental Park
Luzern
Backpacker’s Lucerne
Backpacker’s Lucerne
Luzern
Seeburghof
Seeburghof
Luzern
TCS Camping Luzern - Horw
TCS Camping Luzern - Horw
Horw
Holiday Inn Express Luzern-Kriens
Holiday Inn Express Luzern-Kriens
Kriens
Bauernhof Familie Waser
Bauernhof Familie Waser
Stans
Gasthof Schützenhaus Wil
Gasthof Schützenhaus Wil
Oberdorf/Stans
TCS Camping Buochs Vierwaldstättersee
TCS Camping Buochs Vierwaldstättersee
Buochs
Hotel Nidwaldnerhof
Hotel Nidwaldnerhof
Beckenried
Hotel-Restaurant Rössli
Hotel-Restaurant Rössli
Beckenried
See- und Seminarhotel FloraAlpina
See- und Seminarhotel FloraAlpina
Vitznau
Seeblick Höhenhotel
Seeblick Höhenhotel
Emmetten
City-Hotel
City-Hotel
Brunnen
Seehotel Waldstätterhof
Seehotel Waldstätterhof
Brunnen
Hotel Schmid & Alfa
Hotel Schmid & Alfa
Brunnen
Chlosterhof
Chlosterhof
Brunnen
Ferienhof Rüti
Ferienhof Rüti
Morschach
Jugendherberge Seelisberg
Jugendherberge Seelisberg
Seelisberg
Wissig-Hof
Wissig-Hof
Seelisberg
Hotel Zum Schwarzen Löwen
Hotel Zum Schwarzen Löwen
Altdorf UR
Berggasthaus Alp Catrina
Berggasthaus Alp Catrina
Attinghausen
Alp Grat
Alp Grat
Attinghausen
Hotel Stern und Post
Hotel Stern und Post
Amsteg
Treschhütte SAC
Gurtnellen Station
Salbithütte SAC
Salbithütte SAC
Göschenen
Hotel 3 Könige & Post
Hotel 3 Könige & Post
Andermatt
The River House
The River House
Andermatt
Pension zum Turm, Urner Ski- und Wanderheim
Pension zum Turm, Urner Ski- und Wanderheim
Hospental
Hotel Forni
Hotel Forni
Airolo
B&B Motta
B&B Motta
Airolo
B&B Gottardo
B&B Gottardo
Airolo
Capanna Föisc
Capanna Föisc
Quinto
Capanna Garzonera
Capanna Garzonera
Quinto
Motel Gottardo Sud
Motel Gottardo Sud
Piotta
Rifugio Lago Ritom – Berghaus
Rifugio Lago Ritom – Berghaus
Piora (Ritom)
Capanna Tremorgio
Capanna Tremorgio
Prato Leventina
Capanna Leìt
Capanna Leìt
Prato (Leventina)
Azienda Marachiei
Azienda Marachiei
Osco
Capanna Prodör
Capanna Prodör
Faido
Ostello Capuccini Faido
Ostello Capuccini Faido
Faido
Hotel Defanti
Hotel Defanti
Lavorgo
Hotel Ristorante Pizzeria Elvezia
Hotel Ristorante Pizzeria Elvezia
Lavorgo
Osteria Anzonico
Osteria Anzonico
Anzonico
Casa bnb Ticinetto
Casa bnb Ticinetto
Gironico
Agriturismo - B&B Bertazzi
Agriturismo - B&B Bertazzi
Cavagnago
Capanna Pian d’Alpe
Capanna Pian d’Alpe
Biasca
Albergo al Giardinetto
Albergo al Giardinetto
Biasca
Capanna Alva
Capanna Alva
Lodrino
Ostello Cresciano
Ostello Cresciano
Cresciano
Capanna Gariss
Capanna Gariss
Preonzo
Capanna Baita Armani
Capanna Baita Armani
Gorduno
Capanna Brogoldone
Capanna Brogoldone
Lumino
Camping Bellinzona
Camping Bellinzona
Bellinzona
Hotel Internazionale
Hotel Internazionale
Bellinzona
Hotel Unione
Hotel Unione
Bellinzona
Hotel Bellinzona Sud
Hotel Bellinzona Sud
Monte Carasso
Ostello per la Gioventù Bellinzona
Ostello per la Gioventù Bellinzona
Bellinzona
Capanna Genzianella
Capanna Genzianella
Giubiasco
Osteria Ritrovo dei Passeggeri
Osteria Ritrovo dei Passeggeri
S. Antonio (Val Morobbia)
Capanna Cremorasco
Capanna Cremorasco
Camorino
Capanna Orino
Capanna Orino
Gudo
Capanna Mognone
Capanna Mognone
Sementina
Capanna Pianturin
Capanna Pianturin
Cadenazzo
B&B Barbara Pongelli
B&B Barbara Pongelli
Rivera
Capanna Tamaro
Capanna Tamaro
Rivera
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Bookable offers

3 North-South Route Basel-Chiasso
3 North-South Route Basel-Chiasso
Route 1291
Route 1291
5 Mittelland Route Romanshorn - Lausanne
5 Mittelland Route Romanshorn - Lausanne
4 Alpine Panorama Route
4 Alpine Panorama Route
4 Alpine Panorama Route enjoyment tour
4 Alpine Panorama Route enjoyment tour
2 Rhine Route Andermatt - Basel
2 Rhine Route Andermatt - Basel
1 Rhone Route
1 Rhone Route
Lake Constance - Lago Maggiore
Lake Constance - Lago Maggiore
La Route Verte
La Route Verte
Swiss
Swiss "Schoggi"-Tour
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Places

Basel
Basel
Pratteln
Pratteln
Liestal
Liestal
Sissach
Sissach
Aarau
Aarau
Sursee
Sursee
Sempach
Sempach
Lucerne
Lucerne
Alpnachstad
Alpnachstad
Stansstad
Stansstad
Stans
Stans
Bürgenstock
Bürgenstock
Buochs
Buochs
Beckenried - Klewenalp
Beckenried - Klewenalp
Emmetten
Emmetten
Vitznau
Vitznau
Gersau
Gersau
Brunnen
Brunnen
Morschach
Morschach
Seelisberg
Seelisberg
Sisikon
Sisikon
Flüelen
Flüelen
Altdorf
Altdorf
Erstfeld
Erstfeld
Amsteg
Amsteg
Wassen
Wassen
Göschenen
Göschenen
Andermatt
Andermatt
Gotthardpass
Gotthardpass
Airolo
Airolo
Rodi
Rodi
Osco
Osco
Lavorgo
Lavorgo
Anzonico
Anzonico
Biasca
Biasca
Bellinzona
Bellinzona
Rivera
Rivera
Medeglia
Medeglia
Monte Tamaro
Monte Tamaro
Tesserete
Tesserete
Lugano
Lugano
Agno
Agno
Morcote
Morcote
Riva S. Vitale
Riva S. Vitale
Mendrisio
Mendrisio
Chiasso
Chiasso
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Places of interest

Rhine Port / Three Countries' Corner
Rhine Port / Three Countries' Corner
Horburg dirt and pump track
Horburg dirt and pump track
Basel's pump track
Basel's pump track
Spalentor
Spalentor
Mittlere Brücke and Schifflände
Mittlere Brücke and Schifflände
City Hall and Marktplatz
City Hall and Marktplatz
Pfalz
Pfalz
Exhibition Tower
Exhibition Tower
Basler Cathedral
Basler Cathedral
Basel Zoo
Basel Zoo
Kunstmuseum Basel
Kunstmuseum Basel
Tinguely Fountain
Tinguely Fountain
Basel's Old Town
Basel's Old Town
Tinguely Museum
Tinguely Museum
Pump track Muttenz
Pump track Muttenz
Arlesheim Cathedral
Arlesheim Cathedral
Ermitage Arlesheim
Ermitage Arlesheim
Pumptrack Arlesheim
Pumptrack Arlesheim
Aquabasilea Wasserwelt Pratteln
Aquabasilea Wasserwelt Pratteln
Römerstadt Augusta Raurica
Römerstadt Augusta Raurica
Between the Aare and the Rhine
Between the Aare and the Rhine
Naturama
Naturama
Aargauer Kunsthaus
Aargauer Kunsthaus
Bikelehrpfad Gränichen
Bikelehrpfad Gränichen
Rütihof Forest Rope Garden
Rütihof Forest Rope Garden
Musegg Wall
Musegg Wall
Rosengart Collection Lucerne
Rosengart Collection Lucerne
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
Glacier Garden
Glacier Garden
Schweizerhofquai/Nationalquai
Schweizerhofquai/Nationalquai
Lion Monument
Lion Monument
KKL Luzern
KKL Luzern
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne
Swiss Museum of Transport
Swiss Museum of Transport
Hergiswil Glassworks
Hergiswil Glassworks
Nidwalden Museum
Nidwalden Museum
Medieval town of Stans
Medieval town of Stans
Hammetschwand Lift Bürgenstock
Hammetschwand Lift Bürgenstock
Vitznau Fortress (Festung Vitznau)
Vitznau Fortress (Festung Vitznau)
Wood Trail und Natural Bike Park
Wood Trail und Natural Bike Park
Swiss Holiday Park
Swiss Holiday Park
Swiss Holiday Park Morschach
Swiss Holiday Park Morschach
Treib - Seelisberg Cable Railway
Treib - Seelisberg Cable Railway
Sweet chestnuts on Lake Lucerne
Sweet chestnuts on Lake Lucerne
Rütli
Rütli
Aussichtsparadies Stoos-Fronalpstock
Aussichtsparadies Stoos-Fronalpstock
Axenstrasse (Flüelen–Sisikon–Brunnen)
Axenstrasse (Flüelen–Sisikon–Brunnen)
Bathing islands Lorelei Altdorf
Bathing islands Lorelei Altdorf
Monument of Wiliam Tell
Monument of Wiliam Tell
Tell museum
Tell museum
Pumptrack Schattdorf
Pumptrack Schattdorf
Attinghausen, Mettlen–Berg (Surenenpass)
Attinghausen, Mettlen–Berg (Surenenpass)
Waterworld Göschenen
Waterworld Göschenen
The diabolic and wild Schöllenenschlucht
The diabolic and wild Schöllenenschlucht
Monument of Suworow
Monument of Suworow
Eldorado of cable cars: Gemsstock
Eldorado of cable cars: Gemsstock
Malle-poste historique
Malle-poste historique
Gotthard Pass trade route
Gotthard Pass trade route
Tremola road (Val Tremola)
Tremola road (Val Tremola)
Cheese factory Gottardo
Cheese factory Gottardo
Airolo, Ressiga–Madrano
Airolo, Ressiga–Madrano
Natural trail Lago Ritom
Natural trail Lago Ritom
Ritom funicular
Ritom funicular
Strada alta (Madrano–Osco)
Strada alta (Madrano–Osco)
Art and history in Giornico
Art and history in Giornico
Church SS. Pietro and Paolo
Church SS. Pietro and Paolo
Waterfall di Santa Petronilla
Waterfall di Santa Petronilla
Monastery of Santa Maria Assunta
Monastery of Santa Maria Assunta
Teatro Sociale
Teatro Sociale
The 3 Unesco castles of Bellinzona
The 3 Unesco castles of Bellinzona
Mount Pioda’s chestnut grove
Mount Pioda’s chestnut grove
Monte Tamaro
Monte Tamaro
Splash & Spa Tamaro
Splash & Spa Tamaro
Tesserete–Bigorio–Santa Maria Convento
Tesserete–Bigorio–Santa Maria Convento
Alpe Agra - Alto Malcantone
Alpe Agra - Alto Malcantone
The San Grato Botanical Park
The San Grato Botanical Park
San Salvatore
San Salvatore
Monte Generoso
Monte Generoso
Battistero Riva San Vitale
Battistero Riva San Vitale
Historic trail on Monte San Giorgio
Historic trail on Monte San Giorgio
Saurians on Mount San Giorgio
Saurians on Mount San Giorgio
Museo dei Fossili
Museo dei Fossili
Pumptrack Mendrisio
Pumptrack Mendrisio
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Swimming

Aarau outdoor swimming pool
Aarau outdoor swimming pool
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Signalization

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

Travel reports