EuroVelo 5: Via Romea Francigena (Switzerland)

EuroVelo 5 - Via Romea Francigena

EuroVelo 5: Via Romea Francigena (Switzerland)

A collection of 13 cycling routes.

Overview

About this collection

Ride the Swiss stretch of EuroVelo 5, the Via Romea Francigena, crossing the country from the Rhine to the Alps on a classic north–south line toward Italy. Expect a bit of everything: riverside paths, lakeside cruising, vineyard terraces, and a big alpine finale.

The routes are mostly paved and smooth, with short bits of gravel and cobbles. You’ll roll plenty of quiet lanes and signed cycleways, with some sections on busier roads through towns and valleys. It’s a scenic ride that stacks up real climbing near the Alps, so plan your days and gears accordingly—e-bikes are very welcome.

Highlights include historic city centers, wide lake views, and the Rhône valley leading toward high mountain passes. It’s best from late spring to autumn when the higher sections are snow-free. Swiss trains make it easy to skip tough bits or link stages, and services are frequent in towns along the way.

If you want a taste of Switzerland in one go—lakes, Jura foothills, vineyards, and big-mountain drama—this collection has you covered.

13
Routes
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Duration
260.8 km
Distance
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Avg. speed
6,248 m
Ascent
5,136 m
Descent

EuroVelo 5: Via Romea Francigena (Switzerland)

Routes in this collection

All 13 routes in this collection can be opened on the map or in the Bikemap App for more details, where you can adjust them in the route planner, or download them as GPX or KML file. Use them as a template for planning your own rides, or let Bikemap navigate you along them directly.

Riva San Vitale–Agno (Tappa 8)
Official

Riva San Vitale–Agno (Tappa 8)

Cycling route in Riva San Vitale, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Start by Lake Lugano in Riva San Vitale, at the foot of Monte San Giorgio. Cruise through lakeside villages toward Agno, mixing quiet roads with a few busier stretches. About 26 km with roughly 300 m of climbing, mostly on asphalt with the odd gravel patch. Easy to moderate pace, plenty of lake vie…
26.4 km
Distance
306 m
Ascent
298 m
Descent
EV5 Switzerland – Stage 8: Mendrisio to Riva San Vitale
Official

EV5 Switzerland – Stage 8: Mendrisio to Riva San Vitale

Cycling route in Mendrisio, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

A short EV5 hop from Mendrisio to Riva San Vitale. Roll out past Mendrisio’s vineyards and old town, then cruise toward Lake Lugano with a gentle 85 m climb and an easy finish. Mostly paved and on quiet streets, with a couple busier stretches—ideal for a relaxed spin. Grab a view of Monte San Giorg…
5.1 km
Distance
85 m
Ascent
18 m
Descent
EuroVelo 5: Novazzano to Maslianico – Stage 8
Official

EuroVelo 5: Novazzano to Maslianico – Stage 8

Cycling route in Novazzano, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Short border hop from Novazzano in Ticino to Maslianico in Lombardy. About 5.8 km, mostly asphalt, on quiet roads, and mostly downhill—easy cruising into Italy. Look out for village lanes and glimpses toward the Como area as you roll in. Perfect as a warm-up or link to Como/Cernobbio. Remember an I…
5.8 km
Distance
53 m
Ascent
148 m
Descent
EuroVelo 5: Lodrino to Bellinzona
Official

EuroVelo 5: Lodrino to Bellinzona

Cycling route in Lodrino, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Easy spin from Lodrino down the valley to Bellinzona. About 17 km, mostly flat with a slight net descent, on quiet roads and bike paths with a few short gravel bits. Follow the Ticino plain and roll into Bellinzona, Ticino's capital, known for its three UNESCO castles—perfect for a gelato and a qui…
17.4 km
Distance
79 m
Ascent
41 m
Descent
EuroVelo 5: Biasca–Lodrino (Stage 6)
Official

EuroVelo 5: Biasca–Lodrino (Stage 6)

Cycling route in Biasca, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Short valley spin in Ticino from Biasca, where the Blenio and Leventina valleys meet, over to Lodrino in the Riviera. Mostly smooth asphalt and quiet roads, with a couple brief busy stretches—take care. About 6.7 km with gentle ups and downs, mountain views, and the Ticino river nearby. A handy con…
6.7 km
Distance
68 m
Ascent
45 m
Descent
Percorso Nord-Sud - Tappa 6
Official

Percorso Nord-Sud - Tappa 6

Cycling route in Biasca, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Quick valley spin from Biasca to Bodio on EuroVelo 5/North-South Route. Roll out of Biasca, where the Santa Petronilla waterfall tumbles above town, then follow the Ticino through the Leventina on mostly quiet roads. It's short and mostly flat with a gentle rise and a few easy drops. Expect some mi…
6.4 km
Distance
101 m
Ascent
69 m
Descent
EuroVelo 5: Bodio–Airolo (Stage 6)
Official

EuroVelo 5: Bodio–Airolo (Stage 6)

Cycling route in Bodio, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Steady climb from Bodio up the Leventina to Airolo, gateway to the Gotthard. About 35 km with roughly 1,400 m of ascent, mostly paved, with some busy valley-road sections—ride single file and stay alert. Expect river views, the historic rail line nearby, and classic Ticino villages. Refuel in Faido…
34.6 km
Distance
1,426 m
Ascent
577 m
Descent
Airolo–Andermatt (Nord-Süd-Route Etappe 5)
Official

Airolo–Andermatt (Nord-Süd-Route Etappe 5)

Cycling route in Airolo, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

From Airolo in Ticino, tackle the classic Gotthard Pass via the Tremola’s tight cobbled switchbacks. It’s short but stout: about 26 km with roughly 1,270 m of climbing to ~2,100 m. All paved, with long cobblestone stretches and big alpine views. After the summit, roll down to Andermatt in the Urser…
25.6 km
Distance
1,269 m
Ascent
1,001 m
Descent
EV5: FlĂĽelen to Bauen
Official

EV5: FlĂĽelen to Bauen

Cycling route in FlĂĽelen, Canton of Uri, Switzerland

Short lakeside hop on EuroVelo 5 from FlĂĽelen, gateway to the Gotthard, to the tiny waterfront village of Bauen. Smooth cycleway, some roadside bits, and a couple of punchy climbs as you hug the Urnersee. Big views, blue water, and a coffee at the harbor to wrap it up.
4.6 km
Distance
222 m
Ascent
184 m
Descent
EuroVelo 5: Bauen to Buochs
Official

EuroVelo 5: Bauen to Buochs

Cycling route in Bauen, Canton of Uri, Switzerland

Start by the water in tiny Bauen on the Urnersee, then climb hard above Lake Lucerne for big views. Roll through quiet villages and forest lanes, then drop back to the lakeshore toward Nidwalden. This EV5 stretch mixes cycleways and roads; expect steady climbing and quick descents. Finish in Buochs…
70.9 km
Distance
1,695 m
Ascent
1,730 m
Descent
EuroVelo 5: Itingen to Aarau
Official

EuroVelo 5: Itingen to Aarau

Cycling route in Itingen, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland

Roll from Itingen into the Jura foothills and on to Aarau, the Aargau capital on the Aare. About 33 km with around 700 m of climbing, mostly on smooth asphalt with a few short gravel bits. Expect a mix of quiet roads and the odd busier stretch. Finish in Aarau’s pretty old town—perfect for a coffee…
32.6 km
Distance
704 m
Ascent
740 m
Descent
EV5 Nord-Süd-Route: Lausen–Itingen
Official

EV5 Nord-Süd-Route: Lausen–Itingen

Cycling route in Lausen, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland

Quick hop on EuroVelo 5 between Lausen and Itingen in Basel-Landschaft. Flat-ish and easy, mixing quiet roads and farm tracks, with short gravel bits. You’ll roll the Ergolz valley, linking the two village stations—handy for a there-and-back or a longer EV5 day. Around 1.7 km, gentle up and down, g…
1.7 km
Distance
15 m
Ascent
20 m
Descent