Bikepacking Switzerland
Constance -> Interlaken
Bikepacking Constance to Interlaken
Seeking distraction from the daily life and to nourish some adventure, I planned a bikepacking trip and headed towards the beautiful alps in the Switzerland. Bike packing requires sufficient planning in order to face some uncertainties in the route. This was my first bikepacking adventure in my life and needed to buy many useful bike and camping accessories. If you are planning the the bikepacking for the first time, check out my tips and equipments for your first Bikepacking.
Itinerary & Planning
Bikepacking Constance to Interlaken
The route I choose started from Constance, and ended in the beautiful Interlaken, with two stops in between for overstay night and camping. Planning is required as most places you need to book the Camping place few days in advance. In summer its many times difficult to find a camping place. So better make some calls, write some emails and plan your route accordingly. I had to change the route, as some of the Camping places were over booked. Also choose the place depending on the distance you can cover in one day. Swiss has quit a lot elevations, so choose the destination of the day wisely.
The journey started from Heidelberg to Constance with Train, and then began cycling, immediately crossing the border. Do not forget your Personal ID/ Residence Permit for the Border Control. My destination for the first day was Rapperswil-Jona, 90km away. The second stop planned was Bouch some 65 km away, with enough elevation near the Town Stans. On the route it was necessary to use a Ferry on second day to cross the Lake .
Day 1: Cycling Constance to Rapperswil
My journey started from Heidelberg with the regional train. Before starting the journey be sure to have a extra Cyle day ticket if needed. It varies from state to state. If you are travelling with Fast train like ICE, IC or EC, you will have to book the ticket with extra cost for cycle and even might have to reserve place for cycle. I reached Constacance around 1 pm and then started cycling from there after. Just at the start you have to pass through Swiss border control. Be ready to prepared to show the required Document.
My first stop was around 90 km ahead in Rapperswil. Advantage of this route was that there was not much elevation, most of it was flat Terrain. As it was July and the Sunlight is almost until 9 pm atleast, I had more than 7 hours to reach my camping place in Rapperwil. I usually dont prefer cycling at night for my long tours, especially where there is no garantee of Cycle track throught. In Switzerland most of the roads have designated Cycle tracks, but not all.
Enjoying the view, taking small breaks for Photos or eats, thats what I love about Cycle Tour, its about the Journey, were you really relish the nature.
Camping in Rapperswil
I reached the camping place in Rapperswil around 8 pm. I had booked it few days ago, as I wanted to avoid uncertainties
Camping places can be searched on google. I had planned my routes in which the distance of the camping places played an important role. For small tent its easy to get a place. In Switzerland, for most of the palces its highly recommendable to
Day 2: Cycling Rapperswil to Buochs
The next day morning began with having breakfast and then packing stuff. For packing consider atleast half hour as you have to pack everything including the tent. At the camping place there was a restaurant were I had my breakfast. The camping place has a small bakery which served fresh breads, The day 2 was supposed to have almost 700 m of elevation, so accordingly I had planned around 65km for that day and booked the next camping place. Always be aware of the elevation and better keep some allowance in your time schedules. Many of the swiss mountains passes might be challanging, mainly if your riding a gravel bike and not mountain bike.
Day 3: Chilling and Kayaking
After
Day 4: Cycling Buochs to Interlaken
The next day morning began with having breakfast and then packing stuff. For packing consider atleast half hour as you have to pack everything including tent. At the camping place there was a restuarant were I had my breakfast
Day 5: Return
The next day morning began with having breakfast and then packing stuff. For packing consider atleast half hour as you have to pack everything including tent. At the camping place there was a restuarant were I had my breakfast