Cycling in Switzerland

North-South Route
Basel–Chiasso

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North-South Route
Basel–Chiasso
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.
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.
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.
Length | Number of stages
370 km
| 8 Stages
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 334 km
Natural surface: 36 km
Natural surface: 36 km
Ascent | Descent
4600 m | 4600 m
Fitness level
medium
Stages
Arrival | return travel
More …
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