Best Swiss Rides: Explore Stunning Lakes Virtually on ROUVY

There’s something magical and mythical about a bike tour around a tranquil lake tucked away between majestic mountains while cycling the Swiss Lakes Route.

Picture the still waters reflecting the rugged peaks on their still and crystal clear surface, with the fresh air bringing the scent of pine. It feels like stepping into a serene painting, where the rhythm of nature slows time and brings a deep sense of peace.

Now, imagine being able to enjoy that beauty and calm without ever needing to pack your bags. With the new Swiss Lakes bike routes that have been newly published on ROUVY, you'll have the chance to cycle along these shores. Each ride offers a great escape to some of the most picturesque and serene spots in the country, all from the comfort of your indoor cycling setup. It's a perfect way to find your slice of tranquillity on the bike, no matter where you are, for the best cycling Switzerland has to offer.

ride around a Swiss Lakes.jpeg Enjoy a peaceful ride around a Swiss Lakes route by bike.

Switzerland’s lakes are not just pretty postcards—they’re landscapes full of history, mythology, and the rhythms of daily life in their alpine towns. Whether you’re chasing elevation gains, after meditative and therapeutic flat recovery rides, or want to do some sightseeing near calm waters framed by the Alps, these new routes have it all. Let’s take a look at what each route offers in terms of each lake’s unique story, distance, metres of elevation, difficulty, location and link to the route.

Cycling Along The Swiss Lakes on ROUVY

Lake Zug - Swiss Heritage Along the Lakeshore

This 29.2 km route in the canton of Zug, central Switzerland, is an easy one with only 229m of climbing and one short climb around the 17 km mark. Starting in Zug – where old meets new – you’ll ride past the Old Town’s unique architecture and maybe even smell the region’s famous kirsch in the air.

The route follows the eastern shore of Lake Zug and takes you south through a series of peaceful lakeside villages. Perfect for moderate endurance training or a relaxed scenic ride, the profile is steady so you can focus on cadence and consistency while enjoying the changing views of the lake, the rolling hills and the rhythm of central Switzerland.

lake zug virtually.png Above: Cycle along the magnificent Lake Zug, accompanying you throughout the ride.

You'll soon arrive in Walchwil, a village famous for its stunning lakefront location and get to experience the calm and order of Swiss village life. As you continue south, you arrive in Immensee. Just nearby is the famous Rütli Meadow, the symbolic birthplace of the Swiss Confederation, dating back to 1291. Although the meadow itself might be just out of frame in the ride, its story adds some depth to your journey.

As you pedal through Immensee, you’re tracing the edges of a nation’s history, where a pact was made between cantons, setting the course for Swiss independence. Your ride ends in Risch-Rotkreuz, a community where modern infrastructure merges with traditional Swiss charm. Famous for its efficient connections and understated beauty, it’s the perfect finish to this ride.

Your ride ends in Risch-Rotkreuz, a community where modern infrastructure merges with traditional Swiss charm. Famous for its efficient connections and understated beauty, it’s the perfect finish to this ride.

lake zug - mountains.png Above: Lake Zug with mountains in the background and lush green slopes.

lakeside village.jpg Above: A historic lakeside village provides a backdrop to Lake Zug.

Lake Walen – Walenstadt to Mühlehorn: Where Stone Meets Water

This 12.73 km route with 110m of ascent and a few short gentle climbs starts in Walenstadt, a quiet town at the eastern end of Lake Walen in the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus. It begins with a steep descent and then settles into a leisurely pace along the southern shore of the lake, parallel to the railway.

To the north, the Churfirsten mountains rise, their glacier-carved faces reflected in the water below. To the south, the Mürtschenstock massif stands tall, completing the alpine corridor that makes this short ride as beautiful as it is easy.

view of Lake Walen.png Above: Enjoy a view of Lake Walen to your right with mountains towering on the water's edge.

The route passes through the peaceful villages of Unterterzen and Murg, where houses are built right on the narrow shoreline and village life coexists with the dramatic surroundings. These villages are good examples of how communities adapt to alpine living. Some houses are backed directly by cliff walls, others have small docks and waterfront gardens that lean out over the lake. What makes this region unique is its mild microclimate.

Thanks to its sheltered position and airflow, Walensee’s southern shore supports unusually lush and even tropical vegetation—palm trees grow here, giving the villages an exotic touch in the alpine landscape. This unexpected detail shows just how unusual this area is.

Lake Walen.png Above: Ride along the peaceful Lake Walen in Switzerland.

As you ride westward, you’ll notice the terrain is relatively flat, making it a manageable route for both focused training and casual riding. Whether you’re working on endurance or simply enjoying the landscape, this ride offers constant visual variety – water, cliffs, peaks, and hidden villages – without requiring any significant effort.

The ride ends in Mühlehorn, a quiet lakeside town at the western curve of the lake. It’s a peaceful place to finish – a point of stillness after cycling through one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lake corridors.

aquamarine Swiss.jpg Above: The aquamarine coloured Lake Walen with the Churfirsten mountain range in the distance.

Lake Wägital – The Hidden Gem Loop: Solitude in a Secret Valley

This 15.68 km loop in the Canton of Schwyz is a serene escape into the heart of Switzerland with 287m of ascent and only one short climb at the beginning to get the legs warm. Starting in the quiet village of Vorderthal, the route winds through lush meadows and into an alpine basin where Lake Wägital is hidden from the masses. A local secret, far from the tourist trails, this ride is peaceful, remote and full of nature.

As you climb, the lake appears suddenly, a stunning blue expanse nestled between steep forested cliffs. Although it feels ancient, Wägitalersee is a 20th-century creation, a dammed lake created by the Wägitaler Aa river. This rare combination of human ingenuity and alpine solitude makes this ride as meditative as it is beautiful.

craggy cliffs line.png Above: Craggy cliffs line the road at the beginning of your ride around Lake Wägital.

The route takes you along the north side of the lake to Innerthal, where the houses and chapel nestle against the mountainside. Cross the dam wall, the centrepiece of the loop, and you get a new perspective on the valley. The dam is a big structure that powers Swiss homes with hydroelectricity and blends seamlessly into the stone and water. The view from here is picture-perfect: still water below, jagged peaks above and nothing to disturb the silence but the sound of your pedalling.

narrower roads.png Above: Narrower roads wind around Lake Wägital further into the ride.

As you complete the loop of your bike tour back to Vorderthal, keep an eye on the cliffs and tree lines above. The region is an eagle and an ibex country—golden eagles can be seen soaring in the thermals, and the ibex navigates the steep rocks with ease. You may not hear them, but knowing they’re there adds another dimension to the experience for those who like to take it slow and enjoy the scenery.

Wägital may not be as famous as the other lakes, but for those who find it, it’s a lasting experience of solitude, beauty and harmony. Settle into your rhythm, let your mind wander, and enjoy the simplicity and moodiness of the landscape on this ROUVY route.

Lake Wägital.jpg Above: Lake Wägital with beautiful alpine scenery in the background

Lake Sihl – Pilgrimage Through Peaceful Pastures

This 12.07 km route in the highlands of Canton Schwyz features 189 metres of ascent and remains easy throughout, except for a climb in the final 2 km. Beginning on the tranquil eastern shore of Lake Sihl —Switzerland’s largest artificial lake, formed by damming the Sihl River in the 1930s—the ride feels entirely natural, with the lake nestled in rolling hills and steeped in a quiet, almost meditative atmosphere.

You’ll skirt the lakeshore for about 4 km before entering Einsiedeln, a town shaped by centuries of pilgrimage and centred around its grand baroque Benedictine monastery. From there, the route dips into the serene Waag Valley, where meadows, woodlands, and gentle curves create a perfect rhythm for riding—a peaceful stretch of the Swiss Central Alps where time slows and the road seems to breathe with every turn.

First, you’ll pass through Einsiedeln, a town where the heart and history revolve around its baroque Benedictine monastery. From Einsiedeln, the route descends into the Waag Valley, where the terrain is a mix of meadows, woodlands, and winding roads. It’s here that the landscape becomes ideal for riding—a Switzerland without traffic or noise, perfect for getting lost in the rhythm of pedalling.

The lush Waag Valley is understated but full of detail. Farmhouses dot the hillsides, trails disappear into pine forests, and small streams cross under the road, hinting at their glacial origins. Riders who like easy training sessions will love the profile. This route is another ride for when you don’t have to rush or push.

the sihlsee.jpg Above: The Sihlsee is a lake in the Swiss canton of Schwyz, near the town of Einsiedeln.

Lake Constance – Along the Untersee: From Vineyards to the Rhine

The 27.11 km route along Lake Constance, with an elevation gain of 203 m and a gently rolling profile, takes you through the Canton of Thurgau and the Canton of Schaffhausen, offering a leisurely ride along the western arm of Lake Constance, the Untersee. Starting in the charming town of Ermatingen—nestled between the lake and surrounding hills—you’ll ride west, with the water on your right and vineyards on your left. Famous for its wine and half-timbered houses, Ermatingen sets the stage for a journey through history, where the tranquil lakeside scenery reflects centuries of local life shaped by the rhythm of the water and the land.

Lake Costance.png Above: Riding along Lake Constance on the way to Steckborn.

The landscape features vineyards, meadows, and orchards, interspersed among quiet hamlets. You ride into Steckborn, a town with Roman foundations and a strong medieval heritage. Once a Roman outpost and later a hub in the Middle Ages, Steckborn still has the architectural and structural remnants of its past—stone buildings, narrow streets and the remains of its monastic history. It’s also known for its precision manufacturing, offering a glimpse into both the past and the present.

cyckle trough Steckborn.png Above: cycle through Steckborn near Lake Constance on ROUVY.

Beyond Steckborn, the path continues through Mammern, a small village between forested slopes and the lake’s shore. The castle and traditional houses reflect a community shaped by agriculture and trade. The route becomes more secluded, with wooded sections alternating with clearings that offer views of the lake and fields. Then, Eschenz arrives, where the lake meets the Rhine. Eschenz is significant—it lies opposite Werd island, home to early Christian monastic settlements and a Roman site. The area has been inhabited for centuries, with archaeological finds and historic buildings contributing to the region’s story.

Lake of Costance.jpeg Aerial image of Lake of Constance with Werd Islet.

As the Untersee becomes the Rhine, you approach Diessenhofen, where the terrain changes slightly and the landscape becomes more urban. Diessenhofen’s covered wooden bridge, a relic of old-world engineering, connects Switzerland and Germany. The town itself is framed by medieval towers, narrow streets and a compact old centre that hints at a more fortified past. The architecture, layout and preserved buildings show a continuity that goes back centuries of river trade and cross-border connections.

From Roman roads to medieval monasteries, fortified towns to vineyard-covered slopes, this route gives you a glimpse into the region’s agricultural, architectural and cultural heritage.

Ride the Swiss Lakes, Ride into Freedom and Serenity

These routes offer more than just beautiful backdrops—they invite you to cycle across Switzerland into a storybook world of alpine serenity, local lore, history and natural wilderness, all from your trainer while riding indoors. Whether you’re cycling easy and flat routes along the turquoise shores, winding through vineyard-covered hills, or riding under the shadow of legendary climbs, these are for you. If you, however, prefer doing workouts and tracking your fitness, choose these famous destinations from the route library as backgrounds to keep you engaged throughout.

So fill up your water bottle, hop on your saddle, and enjoy cruising along these therapeutic Swiss Lakes—bringing you peace, beauty, and relaxation to your ride while enhancing your fitness.