Bike tours with kids: 5 tours in Switzerland and its surroundings

Switzerland has many beautiful bike routes for families that are also ideal for children and young people. We’ve put together five ideas for you: one-day and multi-day tours from western Switzerland or Lake Constance. Some are very easy and leisurely and are suitable for smaller children. Other tours are suitable for slightly older, more experienced children and young people. Good route planning is equally as important as having the right equipment and a few tricks up your sleeve to make a bike tour with children a success.

Kids’ bike tour #1: Lake Pfäffikon

Lake Pfäffikon is not far from Zurich. Its reed belt is of national importance, making it the ideal location for nature-loving families. The easy and leisurely route runs around the lake. Little ones can discover many animal and plant species that are found in the fens, upland moors and the lake. The Irgenhausen Roman fort to the east of the lake is an ideal place to take a break. The whole family can also spend some time further south exploring the Robenhauser moor. In summer, of course, you can’t forget to cool off at the lake. If that wasn’t enough, you can take a detour to the Juckerhof farm in Seegräben. You kids will love its seasonal exhibitions, tasty treats and a straw castle.

Pfäffikon – Pfäffikon: → 12 km, ↑ 100 m ascent, ↓ 100 m descent

Kids’ bike tour #2: Lake Schluchsee, Black Forest

This two-day bike tour in the German Black Forest region is well suited for children who are used to cycling and have a bit of stamina. The scenic route starts in Neustadt, and the takes you on the Bähnle cycle path to Schluchsee. Most of the tour follows a disused railway line. As a result, there are no long or steep climbs and hardly any road traffic. The Gutach Gorge views are always worth a stop. In addition to the stunning nature, you’ll also cycle past the beautiful Klausenbach Viaduct. The destination of the first stage of the day is Lake Schluchsee. The Schwarzwaldcamp camping ground is ideal for overnight stays on the bike tour. It offers unusual places to sleep, such as tree tents or a disused gondola, all situated in a beautiful forest that invites you to explore and play. The second day of the tour takes you a short stretch along the main road – caution is advised here. Alternatively, we recommend taking the bus between Lake Schluchsee and the dam. From there, the easy route continues along the beautiful lake, with an easy descent back to Neustadt.

Day 1: → 30 km, ↑ 500 m ascent, ↓ 350 m descent

Day 2: → 35 km, ↑ 450 m ascent, ↓ 600 m descent

Kids’ bike tour #3: Rhine route

Stage 6 of the Rhine Route takes you from Kreuzlingen to Schaffhausen, past German-Swiss border towns. The tour follows the water from Lake Constance to the Rhine and is mostly on asphalt. At the end, if you feel like it, you can take a detour to the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Some of the bike paths run alongside or on the road, which is why they are more suitable for experienced children or older children. There are plenty of refreshments, sights and activities along the way: in addition to idyllic floodplains, the picturesque old towns of Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen are also waiting to be discovered. The are youth hostels in both towns for overnight stays on the bike tour. The whole stage can be shortened and is well connected to public transport. A special experience for kids is the railbike on the Etzwilen – Singen decommissioned railway line. For a fee, the whole family can pool all their strength to ride on the tracks and also cross the bridge to Hemishofen, which has spectacular views of Hohenklingen Castle and the region’s volcanic surroundings.

Entire stage from Kreuzlingen to Schaffhausen: → 48 km, ↑ 340 m ascent, ↓ 340 m descent

Kids’ bike tour #4: Uri valley

This beautiful round trip through the Uri valley and along the Reuss is an adventure for the whole family. The bike tour starts and ends in Altdorf. There are plenty of opportunities for breaks along the way. The route is 28 kilometres long and is flat – ideal for kids or adults who want to take it easy. The bike tour doesn’t just offer fantastic views, there are also  historical sights to marvel at along the way. Searching for clues in the game ‘Tatort Tell’ is a very special activity for families who want to stay in the region a little longer. You need to book it in advance. It is suitable for kids aged 10 and over.

Altdorf – Altdorf: → 28 km, ↑ 180 m ascent, ↓ 180 m descent

Kids’ bike tour #5: Lake Neuchâtel

There are many beautiful bike routes around Lake Neuchâtel, which are also suitable for kids. And best of all, the stages can be shortened depending on the how far the little ones can cycle. The Jurasüdfuss route leads from picturesque Neuchâtel past wine-growing villages, castles and palaces to the town of Yverdon-les-Bains. The route is almost always on asphalt roads, but there is a bit of a climb to overcome. However, there are plenty of places to stop for a swim along the shore. The varied region has many attractions, including for kids and young people: How about a trip back to the Middle Ages at Grandson Castle? You can find accommodation at one of the many campsites in the region.

Neuchâtel – Yverdon-les-Bains: → 41 km, ↑ 360 m ascent, ↓ 360 m descent