59 Saanenland–Freiburgerland
59 Saanenland–Freiburgerland

Cycling in Switzerland

Saanenland–Freiburgerland

Saanenland–Freiburgerland

Bex–Vinelz

Route report
30 photos

VL_059_02_RM_132_vor_Matten_R_F_M.jpg
Saanenland–Freiburgerland

Saanenland–Freiburgerland

From the busy Rhonetal into the craggy limestone Vaud Alps. Over passes to the jet set in Gstaad. The Lac de la Gruyère and old towns of Fribourg and Murten are tempting places to stop. Leisurely finale in Grosse Moos vegetable country to Erlach.
From Bex, where salt is still mined, perspiring up through the old mountain village of Gryon and past Villars’ chalet mansions to Alpine pastures on the Col de la Croix. Craggy limestone cliffs rise from scree slopes to the icy Diablerets summit. Over the Col du Pillon, built by prisoners in 1883, and along the Saane to Gstaad, holiday haunt of the international jet set. Saanen seems more down to earth.

Abländschen-Jaun, another pass makes demands on the legs. After the steep spikes of the Gastlosen, the route rolls easily down to Charmey, a large municipality with many mountain farms and on to Broc, bliss for chocolate lovers. Wonderful water despite the dam walls: Lac de Montsalvens and ten-times bigger Lac de la Gruyère. We’re in the Gruyère region, home of the cheese of the same name and delicious double cream, the landscape now marked by rolling hills and cattle pastures. The Saane flows around narrow bends carved deep in the sandstone cliffs, aiming for the tradition-steeped cantonal capital of Fribourg. Gothic houses and the cathedral give the old town its character.

Along the Schiffenensee, over quiet, gently rolling countryside to the Murtensee lake with Mont Vully. History comes to life in medieval Murten where you can climb the battlements. The town’s speciality is fried perch. On the impressive bike bridge over the Broye canal into Grosse Moos vegetable country. The Bielersee with Erlach Castle soon comes into sight.
From the busy Rhonetal into the craggy limestone Vaud Alps. Over passes to the jet set in Gstaad. The Lac de la Gruyère and old towns of Fribourg and Murten are tempting places to stop. Leisurely finale in Grosse Moos vegetable country to Erlach.
From Bex, where salt is still mined, perspiring up through the old mountain village of Gryon and past Villars’ chalet mansions to Alpine pastures on the Col de la Croix. Craggy limestone cliffs rise from scree slopes to the icy Diablerets summit. Over the Col du Pillon, built by prisoners in 1883, and along the Saane to Gstaad, holiday haunt of the international jet set. Saanen seems more down to earth.

Abländschen-Jaun, another pass makes demands on the legs. After the steep spikes of the Gastlosen, the route rolls easily down to Charmey, a large municipality with many mountain farms and on to Broc, bliss for chocolate lovers. Wonderful water despite the dam walls: Lac de Montsalvens and ten-times bigger Lac de la Gruyère. We’re in the Gruyère region, home of the cheese of the same name and delicious double cream, the landscape now marked by rolling hills and cattle pastures. The Saane flows around narrow bends carved deep in the sandstone cliffs, aiming for the tradition-steeped cantonal capital of Fribourg. Gothic houses and the cathedral give the old town its character.

Along the Schiffenensee, over quiet, gently rolling countryside to the Murtensee lake with Mont Vully. History comes to life in medieval Murten where you can climb the battlements. The town’s speciality is fried perch. On the impressive bike bridge over the Broye canal into Grosse Moos vegetable country. The Bielersee with Erlach Castle soon comes into sight.
180 km | 4 Stages
Asphalted: 173 km
Natural surface: 7 km
3700 m | 3700 m
difficult

Arrival | return travel

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

More …

Diversion, Le Chêne
Diversion, Le Chêne
Duration
02.05.2022 - 15.10.2022
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Diversion, Sugiez
Duration
01.01.2023 - 30.11.2023
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Erlach, Stedtli
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Services

Accommodation

Hôtellerie Franciscaine
Hôtellerie Franciscaine
St-Maurice
Hôtel-Café-Restaurant La Dent-du-Midi
Hôtel-Café-Restaurant La Dent-du-Midi
St-Maurice
Ferme Le Tourne-Sol
Ferme Le Tourne-Sol
Bex
B&B Châlet la Croisée
B&B Châlet la Croisée
Les Diablerets
Hotel les Sources
Hotel les Sources
Les Diablerets
Auberge de la Poste
Auberge de la Poste
Les Diablerets
Cabane des Diablerets CAS
Cabane des Diablerets CAS
Les Diablerets
Hotel Restaurant Bären
Hotel Restaurant Bären
Gsteig
Hotel Arc-en-ciel
Hotel Arc-en-ciel
Gstaad
Posthotel Rössli
Posthotel Rössli
Gstaad
Sporthotel Victoria
Sporthotel Victoria
Gstaad
B&B SportGenussNatur
B&B SportGenussNatur
Gstaad
BnB Steimandli
BnB Steimandli
Gstaad
Jugendherberge Gstaad Saanenland
Jugendherberge Gstaad Saanenland
Saanen
Berghotel Zur Sau
Berghotel Zur Sau
Abländschen
Hotel Wasserfall
Hotel Wasserfall
Jaun
Hôtel de Gruyères
Hôtel de Gruyères
Gruyères
B&B Flüeler
B&B Flüeler
Ependes FR
B&B Château de la Grande Riedera
B&B Château de la Grande Riedera
Le Mouret
Hôtel Aux Remparts
Hôtel Aux Remparts
Fribourg
Hof Ottisberg
Hof Ottisberg
Düdingen
B+B Chez Papillon
B+B Chez Papillon
Laupen BE
Gasthof Bären
Gasthof Bären
Laupen BE
La Ferme
La Ferme
Barberêche
perron13
perron13
Murten
Hotel Schiff am See
Hotel Schiff am See
Murten
Hotel Bad Murtensee
Hotel Bad Murtensee
Muntelier
Hôtel de la Gare
Hôtel de la Gare
Sugiez
Hôtel Restaurant Cave Bel-Air
Hôtel Restaurant Cave Bel-Air
Praz (Vully)
Romantik Hôtel de l’Ours
Romantik Hôtel de l’Ours
Sugiez
BeachIN
BeachIN
Ins
B&B im Tipi
B&B im Tipi
Ins
Camping 'mon plaisir'
Camping 'mon plaisir'
Erlach
Camping des Pêches
Camping des Pêches
Le Landeron
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Bookable offers

34 Alter Bernerweg
34 Alter Bernerweg
5 Mittelland-Route For Families
5 Mittelland-Route For Families
62 Freiburger Hügeltour
62 Freiburger Hügeltour
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
Round Trip Fribourg Charme
Round Trip Fribourg Charme
Tour of the Old County of Gruyères
Tour of the Old County of Gruyères
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Places

Monthey
Monthey
St-Maurice
St-Maurice
Bex
Bex
Villars-sur-Ollon / Gryon
Villars-sur-Ollon / Gryon
Les Diablerets
Les Diablerets
Gsteig
Gsteig
Gstaad
Gstaad
Rougemont
Rougemont
Jaun
Jaun
Charmey
Charmey
Gruyères
Gruyères
Bulle
Bulle
Corbières
Corbières
Rossens FR
Rossens FR
Freiburg (Fribourg)
Freiburg (Fribourg)
Laupen
Laupen
Murten
Murten
Ins
Ins
Erlach
Erlach
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Places of interest

Abbey Saint-Maurice
Abbey Saint-Maurice
Fairies'Cave
Fairies'Cave
Salt Mines Bex
Salt Mines Bex
Three high-altitude lakes
Three high-altitude lakes
Gypsum pyramids
Gypsum pyramids
Glacier 3000
Glacier 3000
Sanetschpass head
Sanetschpass head
Petting zoo and playground at Foundation Alpenruhe in Saanen, Switzerland
Petting zoo and playground at Foundation Alpenruhe in Saanen, Switzerland
Pumppark Saanen
Pumppark Saanen
11th century, Romanesque church
11th century, Romanesque church
Gasserenweid–Jaun (Jaunpass)
Gasserenweid–Jaun (Jaunpass)
Les Bains de la Gruyère Charmey
Les Bains de la Gruyère Charmey
Castel of Gruyères
Castel of Gruyères
La Maison du Gruyère - Cheese dairy
La Maison du Gruyère - Cheese dairy
La Maison Cailler
La Maison Cailler
Museum of the Gruyère Region
Museum of the Gruyère Region
BERRA Bike Park
BERRA Bike Park
Sensler Museum
Sensler Museum
St. Nicholas Cathedral
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Jean Tinguely/Niki de Saint Phalle
Jean Tinguely/Niki de Saint Phalle
Urban golf - a first for Switzerland
Urban golf - a first for Switzerland
Laupen Castle
Laupen Castle
Läubliplatz in Laupen
Läubliplatz in Laupen
Bois Domingue - Viewpoint and exhibition
Bois Domingue - Viewpoint and exhibition
Mount Vully - Home of good food and wine
Mount Vully - Home of good food and wine
Mount Vully
Mount Vully
The nature reserve centre La Sauge
The nature reserve centre La Sauge
Albert Anker House
Albert Anker House
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Swimming

Swimming pool Broc
Swimming pool Broc
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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