Aare River Cycle Route

Aare Route

Aare River Cycle Route

A collection of 16 cycling routes.

  1. Bikemap
  2. Official routes
  3. Aare Route
  4. Aare River Cycle Route

Overview

About this collection

Follow Switzerland’s longest river from the Alps to the Rhine. This collection covers the signed National Route 8, rolling from the Grimsel area past Meiringen and Interlaken, along Lakes Brienz and Thun, through Bern’s iconic river loop, then on to Biel/Bienne, Solothurn, Aarau, and finally Koblenz where the Aare meets the Rhine.

It’s mostly flat and easy once you’re out of the high valley—perfect for touring bikes and relaxed multi-day rides. Expect mainly paved cycleways and quiet roads, with some gravel tracks and a few short busy bits in towns. Trains run close by for most of the way, so it’s super easy to split into stages or bail if the legs say no.

Highlights: lakeside cruising between Interlaken and Thun, river vibes in Bern (summer river swimming for experienced swimmers), vineyards around Lake Biel, and mellow riverside paths across the Swiss Mittelland. Ride top-to-bottom for the full downstream experience, or cherry-pick the scenic sections for a chilled weekend spin.

16
Routes
-:--
Duration
331.5 km
Distance
---
Avg. speed
2,917 m
Ascent
3,096 m
Descent

Aare River Cycle Route

Routes in this collection

All 16 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.

Aare-Route - Zubringer Brienz
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Official

Aare-Route - Zubringer Brienz

Cycling route in Brienz, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Quick feeder in Brienz to join the Aare-Route. It’s about 2.5 km with a mild 40 m climb, mostly on asphalt, using quiet streets with a short busy stretch. Perfect for rolling from the lakeside or railway station into the main route. Take a moment to enjoy Lake Brienz’s turquoise water and the town’…
2.5 km
Distance
44 m
Ascent
23 m
Descent
Aare-Route: Meiringen–Airolo
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Aare-Route: Meiringen–Airolo

Cycling route in Meiringen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

From Meiringen’s waterfalls and Haslital views, head south toward Airolo, the gateway to the Gotthard. It’s a paved, mostly main-road ride, so expect traffic and steady gradients—save gears for the long pulls and enjoy sweeping descents after. Grab a look at the Reichenbach Falls before you roll, t…
39.2 km
Distance
---
Ascent
---
Descent
Aare-Route: Unterseen–Meiringen
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Aare-Route: Unterseen–Meiringen

Cycling route in Unterseen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Ride the Aare-Route from Unterseen (next to Interlaken) along the Aare and Lake Brienz, then into the Haslital to Meiringen. Expect a steady upstream pull with a few punchy ramps, mostly on smooth tarmac, with some traffic through lakeside towns. Views of turquoise water, cliffs and waterfalls make…
31.1 km
Distance
847 m
Ascent
873 m
Descent
Aare-Route: Unterseen to Därligen
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Aare-Route: Unterseen to Därligen

Cycling route in Unterseen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Short spin along Lake Thun from Unterseen (next to Interlaken) to the lakeside village of Därligen. About 3 km with a small rise and descent on smooth asphalt. Expect some traffic on the main road but big views of the lake and the Bernese Alps make it worth it. Great as a connector or warm‑up, with…
3 km
Distance
75 m
Ascent
74 m
Descent
Aare-Route: Därligen to Spiez
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Aare-Route: Därligen to Spiez

Cycling route in Därligen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Roll from Därligen along Lake Thun to Spiez on a short 11.5 km Aare-Route link with big views of the Bernese Alps. It’s mostly smooth asphalt and cycle path, but expect a few busy-road stretches and some steady ups, about 250 m of climbing. Därligen is a quiet lakeside village; Spiez greets you wit…
11.5 km
Distance
248 m
Ascent
180 m
Descent
Aare-Route Etappe 3
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Aare-Route Etappe 3

Cycling route in Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Roll out from Bern’s UNESCO old town and follow the Aare on quiet roads and cycleways toward the Thun region. It’s about 60 km, mostly paved with a few easy gravel bits and gentle ups and downs. Expect riverside sections, open farmland, and growing views of the Bernese Alps. Finish in Thierachern a…
60.3 km
Distance
377 m
Ascent
432 m
Descent
Aare-Route Etappe 3
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Aare-Route Etappe 3

Cycling route in Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Short spin through Bern on the Aare-Route's Stage 3. Start near the Old Town and roll mostly on quiet, paved streets, with a couple of short climbs. Expect cobbles in the center and views of the Aare's iconic loop. Perfect quick leg-stretcher or city link, finishing back in Bern.
4.7 km
Distance
108 m
Ascent
83 m
Descent
Aare-Route: Täuffelen–Bern
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Aare-Route: Täuffelen–Bern

Cycling route in Täuffelen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Roll out from Täuffelen by Lake Biel and follow the Aare through the Seeland towards the capital. It’s about 39 km with gentle ups and downs, mostly on quiet roads and riverside tracks, with a few gravel stretches. Expect open fields, vineyards, and steady river views. Swing into Bern along the Aar…
38.5 km
Distance
499 m
Ascent
606 m
Descent
Aare-Route: Nidau to Täuffelen
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Aare-Route: Nidau to Täuffelen

Cycling route in Nidau, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Easy lakeside spin from Nidau by Biel/Bienne to Täuffelen on Lake Biel. About 8 km, mostly flat on quiet roads with a few short gravel stretches. Expect water views, reeds, and Seeland fields along the way. Great for an easy outing or a quick town-to-town link. Suitable for city or touring bikes; j…
8 km
Distance
63 m
Ascent
73 m
Descent
Aare-Route - Etappe 5
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Aare-Route - Etappe 5

Cycling route in Nidau, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Short hop on the Aare-Route from Nidau by Lake Biel to Brügg. Flat and easy, mostly on quiet roads and riverside tracks, with some gravel—best with slightly wider tires. Roll out from Nidau’s lakeside vibe, follow the canal, and finish in laid-back Brügg. Perfect as a warm-up or family spin.
3.9 km
Distance
14 m
Ascent
15 m
Descent
Aare-Route - Etappe 5
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Aare-Route - Etappe 5

Cycling route in BrĂĽgg, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Easy riverside spin from Brügg near Biel to Solothurn along the Aare. Around 27 km, almost flat, on quiet roads and gravel tracks, perfect for a relaxed half-day. Roll past fields and riverbanks with Jura views, watch for picnic spots and swimming jetties on warm days. Finish in Solothurn, the baro…
26.8 km
Distance
41 m
Ascent
41 m
Descent
Aare-Route
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Official

Aare-Route

Cycling route in Aarburg, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland

Roll out from Aarburg's castle and old town, then follow the Aare on quiet roads and riverside tracks to Zuchwil by Solothurn. It's about 42 km with gentle ups and downs, mostly paved with some gravel stretches—great for a relaxed day ride. Expect river views, floodplain forests, and easy navigatio…
42.3 km
Distance
264 m
Ascent
298 m
Descent
  1. Bikemap
  2. Official routes
  3. Aare Route
  4. Aare River Cycle Route