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Pictures from Switzerland, July-August 2003.

Summer holiday: Cycletouring Switzerland for two weeks

July 20-August 2, 2003; Updated december 23rd

Switzerland has a wonderful network of cycling routes, which covers most of the country. This spring we got new touring bikes and we gave them a first proper test during our summer holidays. We cycled a circuit of about 930 kms, including two serious passes. We found this a wonderful way to see more of Switzerland.
Our tour started from Bern (along Aare-Route, number 8), to the Bielersee, Solothurn and Arau. We picked up the Mittelland-Route (number 5) and followed that passed Kloten and Wil to Romanshorn on Lake Constance (Bodensee). We followed the Rhine-Route (number 2) via Altenrhein, Buchs and Chur to Disentis, and then crossed the Oberalp pass to Andermatt. From Andermatt we went across the Furka pass passed Brig and Martigny to Montreux (Rhone-Route, number 1). We were a day short, and therefore took the train to Gstaad from where we cycled back via Zweisimmen and Spiez (Lakes-Route, number 9), and Thun to Bern (Aare-Route, number 8) on our last day. And on August 23rd we completed our circuit by cycling from Gstaad to Montreux (another 100 km) on yet another wonderful day (No. 9).
We camped most of the time, apart from the night after a very rainy day when we cut the day short and fled into a hotel in Sarganz. In Disentis we also stayed in a hotel, because heavy thunderstorms were forcasted for the night. And they came, so we were very pleased with our decision. We took a couple of days off cycling, and on one we took a train from Chur across the Albula pass to Samedan in the Engadin.
Not all pictures are developed yet, so I will add some more pictures, and probably a map, when we finish that film.


    Fraukje crossing a bridge over the Wohlensee (BE)
    There are many small campsites at farms (Schlaf im Stroh, or Sleep in the hay), with lots of animals around (Guggenhof in Stüsslingen, AR)

    Wim making lunch near Bisschofszell (TG)
    A square in Chur (GR)

    Rhätische Bahn train entering the tunnel at Filisur (GR)
    In Samedan (GR)

    Samedan (GR)
    A bridge we just crossed in the Rhine valley near Versam (GR)

    Just below Disentis (GR), at the start of the climb to the Oberalp pass. The sign reads "Climbs 1020 metres in 22 kilometres" ...
    From our room in Hotal Furka in Disentis we had a view of the station, where trains leave for their trip across the Oberalp pass.

    Wim, "de eenzame fietser" climbing to the Oberalp pass
    And again

    Very pleased, after reaching the Oberalp pass (2046 m above sea level)
    Garschen Valley (UR) with steam train. In the distance the Furka pass, and to the right the road to the pass.

    The coat of arms of Canton Uri, at the Furka pass where we left Uri and entered Wallis
    Fraukje at the Furka pass (2436 m), ready for the descent into the Rhone Valley

    Wim with behind him the Rhone Valley
    Sion (VS)

    The castle of Martigny
    View of Montreux and Lake Geneva from the train to Gstaad

    We were one day short, and finished our tour two weeks later, by cycling from Gstaad to Montreux. This is the village of Gruyères
    Hautes Gruyères

    Fraukje in Martigny
    Wim before the descent to Montreux

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On to the next page: September 2003, hiking from Griesalp over the Sefinenfurgge Pass to Mürren.
Back to the last page: July 2003, a family weekend in Beekbergen, and Alex and Jenny in Bern.
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Last modified 23rd December, 2003