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| Mighty Rhine – Source to Basel | Ref: SW006 |
| 10 days / 9 nights or 7 days / 6 nights | |
| Price: £730pp (based on 2 people sharing) | |
Type:  |
Self Guided:  |
Level:  |
| Distance: approx 246 miles (393 km) | ||
travel :
- Fly to Basel then train to Disentis
Itinerary
This holiday can be completed in 7 days/6 nights at a cost of £565pp. ("Power" option)
Or the holiday can be spilt into 2 sections:
Disentis to Schaffhausen 7 days/6 nights £485pp Schaffhausen to Basel 5 days/4 nights £320pp
Plus there are Budget accommodation options = Youth hostels or similar, share-a-room 4 – 8 beds
Day 1: Arrive in Disentis (Andermatt for the Power option).
The quiet holiday region of Disentis/Sedrun in Grisons is in the upper part of the valley of the Anterior Rhine, the Surselva. Special features of the region are the large Benedictine monastery at Disentis and the source of the Rhine in the idyllic Tomasee.
Day 2: Disentis to Chur, 40 miles (64 km).
Start cycling from Disentis to make your way to Chur. Highlights of the day: the Surselva, a valley where the old Roman language is still alive and well – and the Swiss Grand Canyon with its spectacular views and an option of riverrafting.
Day 3: Chur to Buchs, 28 miles (44 km).
Today by bike the Rhine route takes you past the vineyards and charming villages of the Grisons region with such proud names as Malans, Jenins and Maienfeld. The thermal bath in Bad Ragaz calls for a refreshing visit before continuing on flat terrain on the Rhine Dam. Accommodation is located in Buchs – almost next door to the Principality of Liechtenstein with its capital Vaduz.
Day 4: Buchs to Walzenhausen, 39 miles (62 km).
The river remains your steady companion to Oberriet, where the route turns towards the hinterland and the pretty town of Altstätten. Past St. Margrethen the route loops through the national park of the Rhine delta and then along the shore of Lake Constance – a paradise for bikers - to Rheineck, where a small train will transport you and your bike to Walzenhausen, a village high above Lake Constance (transfer included in price).
Day 5: Walzenhausen to Berlingen, 29 miles (47 km).
The route more or less follows the lake shore all the way to today’s destination of Berlingen. Inviting swimming spots, garden restaurants and boat harbours abound for rest and recreation. The whole day is spent in splendid scenery on perfect cycling trails.
Day 6: Berlingen to Schaffhausen , 29 miles (46 km).
The route passes through picturesque fishing villages along the Swiss shore of the Lower Lake before reaching the outflow of the Rhine River from Lake Constance at Stein am Rhein. This simply delightful town, a jewel of medieval architecture, deserves a longer visit. before tackling the last few miles along the right bank of the Rhine to Schaffhausen.
Day 7: Schaffhausen to Zurzach, 31 miles (50 km).
The route starts at the Rhine Falls, the mightiest of all Europe's waterfalls, and travels through delightful fertile riverland scenery and asparagus growing country.
The pretty riverside villages of Eglisau and Kaiserstuhl definitely warrant a closer look before pedalling on and soaking in the thermal baths of the neighbouring spa town of Zurzach. Certainly a relaxing way to round off your days ride.
Day 8: Zurzach to Rheinfelden, 34 miles (54 km).
At Koblenz, the point where the River Aare flows into the River Rhine, the resulting rapids are turbulent enough to have once put fear and dread in the hearts of the Rhine boatsmen. Apart from that lively little section of the river, most of the Rhine along here is harnessed for hydroelectric
power use and subsequently flows rather sluggishly on its way. A visit to the historic towns of Laufenburg and Stein-Säckingen straddling the River Rhine will liven things up for you. Laufenburg on the Swiss side; Stein-Säckingen in Germany. (Don't forget your passport or ID). Overnight in Rheinfelden 34 miles
Day 9: Rheinfelden to Basel, 16 miles (26 km).
Cycling through green countryside is always pleasant, but variety is the spice of life, and what greater contrast could await you as you emerge from the green-verged Rhine River trail than the industrial agglomeration sprawled outside Basel, the pharmaceutical capital of Europe. Riding through the villages embedded in it is exciting in its own way, too! At Kaiseraugst, on the doorstep of Basel, the Roman settlement of Augusta Raurica reminds us of our ancient roots. 16 miles
Day 10: Departure from Basel.
Departure from Basel after breakfast.
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