Bikepacking from Andermatt to Basel

From high-alpine Andermatt, roll out of the Urseren valley and dive through the dramatic Schöllenen Gorge (look for the Devil’s Bridge) toward the Reuss valley. Follow the river past Altdorf and along the shores of Lake Lucerne, then continue downstream across the Reuss and Aare plains via central Swiss towns before picking up the Rhine near Rheinfelden for the final spin into Basel.

It’s a big ride at roughly 231 km with about 4,300 m of climbing and plenty of net descent into the lowlands. Surfaces are mostly friendly—about three-quarters paved—with a mix of quiet roads and signed cycleways, plus some gravel and farm tracks sprinkled in. Great as a 2–4 day tour if you like to linger by lakes and old towns.

Start fact: Andermatt (canton Uri) sits at the crossroads of the Gotthard, Furka, and Oberalp passes and near the source of the Reuss. Finish fact: Basel straddles the Rhine at the borders with Germany and France, known for its handsome Old Town, Basel Minster, and summer river swimming.