Myswitzerland

mySwitzerland

Summer 2018 wants you back. Summer 2018 Nature Nature wants you back: MySwitzerland.com/ summer + Grüezi + The best way to get back in touch with nature is on foot – or by bike. As nature intended, by your own strength. This magazine is all about cycling. Whatever kind of bike you enjoy riding, Switzerland is a cyclist’s paradise with something for everyone. Even well-trained road cyclists will break a sweat on our Alpine passes. Almost 9,000 kilometres of marked trails offer mountain bikers of all levels spectacular, adrenalin-fuelled adventures. And over 12,000 kilometres of signposted cycling routes take road cyclists through the most beautiful countryside and cities. Ready when you are.

I hope you have an unforgettable experience in the great outdoors on your bike.

Martin Nydegger, CEO Switzerland Tourism

3 Contents 6 20 Ludo et The trail son vélo designers

Impressive video stills of Even professionals will break a an Enduro competitor’s sweat on these downhill trails. smoking descents. Including those who build them! 46 52 Tour de Energy for Genève gourmets

A bike courier shows us the most It doesn’t always have beautiful spots in his city. to be bolognese. Top Swiss chefs Without time pressure for once. present their pasta creations. 68 74 Jurassic Max Küng

Countless bends, quite the Park challenge. An essay on joy and suffering on the mountain. A bike ride into prehistoric times is as much fun as a trip to the movies for a family of four.

4 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 26 Route 99

The Heart Route leads from Rorschach to Lausanne or viceversa and showcases Switzerland in all its magical glory. 60 Bike, spa

and fun 6 Ludo May 16 All about cycling First on a bike, then in the whirlpool: the Bärner Meitschi blog 20 Lenzerheide Bike Park trio enjoy the Bernese Oberland. 26 Across Switzerland 36 Images of Dead Ends 46 Bike city Geneva 52 Pasta by top chefs 60 Bärner Meitschi at the spa 66 “Summer hideaways” booklet 68 On the trail of the dinosaurs 82 74 Alpine passes Ready, set, go! 76 Must-haves for cyclists On a tour through Thurgau, the 82 Leisure cycling in Thurgau home of apple juice, we encounter many 88 Prix Bienvenu apple trees and friendly faces. 90 Your bike is calling 95 Useful information

5 Ludo et son vélo

When Ludovic May gets on his bike, he’s either heading out to score a leading position in one of the greatest Enduro competitions – or to inject some fun into the mountain bike scene with one of his web videos.

Text: Christian Sidow Photographs: video stills Mountain bike: Ludo May

Action! Episode #6 “fumisterie” MySwitzerland.com/ ludo

7 8 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 9 10 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 11 Ludo May, how did the “Ludo et son vélo” project come about? I met professional skier and film- maker Nico Falquet at the Outdoor Games in Interlaken in 2007. We got along right away, because we have the same sense of humour and had a great laugh. It was clear that we’d want to produce something together. “Ludo et son vélo” started to take shape when we shot the first episode at – and on – Lake Emosson in 2013. There is a spot where, for a few days a year, the water is just a couple of centimetres deep. It makes it look like I am riding on water. You cycle across reservoirs, through deep snow in shorts or with fireworks on your helmet, or someone fires a potato cannon at you. Where do these daredev- ilish ideas come from? Each idea is a joint effort. Nico has one idea, I have the next, and when we put things together they get crazier still. We simply try things out and whatever works makes the final cut. Nico and I want to present biking from a new perspective. Honestly, how dangerous are the shootings? They aren’t dangerous in terms of cycling technique. As for speed and style, I do my best, of course. Humour is always our top priority though. We’re out to have fun, not to pull off stunts. Overstepping our limits isn’t the idea.

12 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK Tell us about the episode with the smoke

flares. We’d seen flares like that at

paintball games, and Nico suggested

that we try them out on the bike. And –

28-year-old Ludovic as you can see – it worked! We shot “Ludo” May has been a professional most of the material in one day. I at- Enduro mountain biker since 2004. In tached a total of seven flares to the bike: 2017, he won the Trans Costa Rica and three per wheel and one on the frame. ranked fifth at the Trans-Provence in We lit them all at once, and then I was France. He rides for Swiss biking brand off! When I first set off, I could hardly BMC, as well as for Verbier, Zimtstern, see, but the longer I was on the bike, the Bliss, Giro, Shimano, FOX and Spy among less I even noticed the smoke. others. He lives in Verbier, right where his favourite trails are. Do you see yourself as a performance artist? (laughing) “Artist” is quite the claim. This project isn’t really about me. Of course, the focus is on me because my name features in the title and I am in front of the camera. But I see myself as part of a larger whole. It’s just fun! We love to laugh and to make others laugh. What’s next? We aim to produce two new episodes a year. I certainly don’t think we need to worry about running out of ideas.

All of the “Ludo et son vélo” episodes to date are on youtube.com

13 5 tips for mountain bikers

2 Dorénaz 1 3 Verbier Ludo's tip Le Sentier Ludo's tip no. 2: Portail Le Grand no. 1: de Fully Risoud Bike This recreational ride in the Wouaiy Trail First, up on the cable car, border region between then on to the impressive Switzerland and France is According to Ludo May: “one Portail de Fully stone arch. all nature. From the north of the best bike park trails I’ve “Here, at the highest point shore of Lac de Joux, it ever done”. What’s more, it’s on the route, the view of the leads up a gentle incline until almost on his doorstep – at Mont Blanc Massif is phe- the houses are fewer and Verbier Bike Park. The 2.2-kilo- nomenal.” Then back down farther between and the metre trail leads through the on single trails and through roads get ever narrower. A forest and is very challenging countless hairpin bends to 12-kilometre single trail then in the rain. the vineyards of Fully. leads back to civilisation.

14 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 4 Airolo–Olivone 5 Gottardo Bike Alpnachstad Stage 2 o-tour Val Piora in Leventina features several small and tiny Bike West mountain lakes. From Lago 5 Ritóm, the challenging route This route through Switzer- 3 4 leads over the Passo del land’s largest expanse of 2 1 Sole into the Blenio Valley. moorland has everything a There can be snow here biker’s heart desires: intense until as late as June. The inclines, gravel roads, single descent leads through lush trails, great views and, of More mountain green plains and dense fir course, several cosy moun- bike tours: and larch forests. tain restaurants. MySwitzerland.com/mtb

15 Equipment: Swiss-made

All about cycling Everything DesignYourBike a rider's Bikes that make you happy – that’s the goal of this Bernese bike maker. But happiness is personal, which is why the configurator lets you change the colour of 13 parts, including the saddle, heart desires. spokes and pedals. And so, unique pieces are born that simply make you smile. Mission completed. designyourbike.ch

Bike day ticket Often, the best bike trails are a little farther away. To travel to the most beautiful places in Switzerland, get a bike day pass, which lets you take your bike on most trains and buses in Switzerland.

sbb.ch/en/bike

16 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK EGO Movement Swiss entrepreneurs Daniel Meyer and Marie So have a vision – and it is anything but egocentric. Their stylish EGO Movement e-bikes are successfully bringing more intelligent, sustainable mobility to urban areas.

egomovement.com

The Granger Bicycle Toolbag is a toolbox, purse or wallet and sustainability SwitzerlandMobility statement in one. freitag.ch The perfect bike tour is just a click away. On the SwitzerlandMobility platform, you can find hundreds of cycling routes throughout Switzerland. The range of offers includes travel reports, weather prognoses, safety tips and maps. The app will keep you on the right path whenever you are out.

switzerlandmobility.ch

17 bmc-switzerland.com/speedfox The Swiss Bike Hotels 12 in 1 recommended by Alongside their world-famous Swiss army knives, this company in Central Switzerland Switzerland Tourism continues to develop new, innovative products. Take the offer the best service for BikeTool, for instance. Weighing just 98g and at cyclists and their bikes. 10cm in length, you only notice it when you need one From a lockable bike room to washing of its 12 functions. victorinox.com your sports gear and suggesting routes.

MySwitzerland.com/bikehotels

B Whether you want to watch, participate or simply be there – bike fans are sure to find their top event in Switzerland. Post-ride Tour de Suisse The largest annual professional bike race in Switzerland. tds.ch beer! When your mouth is as dry as Alpenbrevet the desert after a ride, there’s Four routes over two to five Alpine passes. alpenbrevet.ch nothing better than a cool, refreshing drink. Appenzeller BrandLöscher is sure to National Park Bike Marathon quench your thirst and Around the park – for nature lovers. bike-marathon.com leave you feeling refreshed in no time. The Karamalz gives slowUp the 4.8% lager a A laid-back event. slowup.ch sweet note. Bike Days Solothurn appenzellerbier.ch The largest bike festival in Switzerland, every May. bikedays.ch

All events: MySwitzerland.com/bikeevents

19 20 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK Outdoors: Lenzerheide Bike Park The trail designers

Lenzerheide Bike Park has been a success story since it opened in 2014. The five freeride routes under the Rothorn Railway delight World Cup riders and beginners alike. The park was built by Trailworks.

Text: Lucas Roos Photographs: Philip Ruopp

21 Right: Rafael Rhyner marks out the ideal path on a trail in its early stages, as well as waves and curves. Bottom: Once a trail has been finished, the surrounding ground is sown with grass and moss – to protect it from erosion among other things.

22 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Lenzerheide

“When choosing a location to build a bike park,” says Ueli Guntli, Project Manager at Trailworks, the company that built Lenzerheide Bike Park, “we look for good topography and a powerful mountain railway. Many bikers are sick of working on their endurance in the saddle and prefer rapid descents. Downhill, as it were. It’s a similar concept to skiing. You could say that The fourth UCI Mountain bike parks are like snow parks. Fun and adrenalin are Bike World Cup is set to paramount.” However, before the now world-famous take place in Lenzerheide Downhill World Cup route could be opened, a great from 4 to 9 September deal of planning and preparation was required, as well 2018. The athletes will as dedication to mountain biking, which has formed compete for medals in the cornerstone of Lenzerheide’s success for the past the disciplines downhill five years. The local council, tourism stakeholders and (DH) and cross-country the mountain railway all had the same goal in mind (XCO). The UCI chose and developed a comprehensive, target-oriented bike this destination above all strategy together. It covers everything from the trails to as a reward for the work transport, the hotels and services as well as the venues that has been done over themselves, making the bike region well known and the past few years and popular both at home and abroad. the consistent implemen- tation of its bike strategy. Environmentalists have their say All mountain bike fans As is the case for any bike park, planning for Lenzer- can now look forward to heide began on site. On the Rothorn, between highspeed action in the fir trees, roots and rocks, the Trailworks project team downhill races and excit- conjured up potential routes. After taking a GPS on ing head-to-head duels in foot, the routes were drawn on the map and – once the cross-country route. requests from environmental groups and the forestry commission office had been taken into account – the lenzerheide2018.com project was submitted for approval. “As trail builders, we usually have a clear idea of the best, sustainable route. The challenge for any project is, however, to accommodate everyone’s requirements – especially

23 those of environmentalists,” says Rafael Rhyner, Trailworks co-owner and managing director. “Build- ing a trail always has an impact on nature. We try to adopt the most environmentally friendly solution possible.” Trailworks carefully sets aside grasses, moss and ferns and later works them back into the ground along the edge of the trail. “It is labour-intensive, but our natural environment is worth it,” says Rafael Rhyner.

You won’t get anywhere without drainage Bike trails are exposed to extreme mountain weather. “It rains a great deal during the powerful storms. You soon see whether the drainage has been installed cor- rectly,” Ueli Guntli tells us. “If the water doesn’t drain away properly, the trails erode, mud pools and puddles form and the trail surface goes soft. Bikers wouldn’t be impressed.” As can be seen from the rising visitors numbers, the five descents between the Sharmoin interim station and the Rothorn valley station are very Top and right: light machinery popular. Whether you are a downhiller, freerider, slope and diggers are used for the styler, north-shore fan or beginner: you’re sure to find initial trail-building stages. Many of the finishing touches a route for you. And: everyone decides for themselves to the trail have to be done how adrenaline-fuelled the descent should be. by hand. Bottom: getting the flow of the trail right requires finesse in the building stages.

24 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 3 trails for mountain bikers in Graubünden

1 Gotschna Freeride Piste, Davos Klosters Come over for a jump 200 steep bends, 50 steep-walled bends, 30 tables, several jumps and waves – the 6km piste from 3 Corviglia Flow Trails, Gotschnaboden to Klosters offers all this. The Engadin St. Moritz Gotschna Freeride Piste is great fun – although it is just for freeriders who really master their bikes. Biking with a view On Corviglia, St .Moritz’ local mountain, there are three trails: the Foppettas Flow Trail for techni- cal trail lovers, the World Cup Trail with its cool 360˚ bend and the Corviglia Flow Trail, a flowing pump- track descent. All three are fun with outstanding views.

2 Runcatrail, Flims 2 1 Flow from start to finish 3 Start: Naraus train station at 1,800m a.s.l. Finish: 7.6km and 740m in altitude lower down. On the way: doubles, tables and waves for pros, easier waves for beginners. Whatever you do, you’re sure Want to discover more trails? to have great fun on one of the longest MySwitzerland.com/mtb flow trails in Europe.

25 Heart Route: across Switzerland

Route 99 The Heart Route connects Lake Gene- va and Lake Constance in 13 stages. That may sound very tiring, but it isn’t – recreation and leisurely cycling are the order of the day. Expats from Germany, the US and China tested three stages for MySwitzerland.

Text: Andreas Feuerstein Photographs: Lea Meienberg The view of Lake Ägeri is one of the highlights of the stage from Zug to Einsiedeln.

A beautiful view. A beautiful natural landscape. A beautiful descent.

Tamy Gunz and Jens Dünnebacke come from Germany and have lived in Switzerland for just over four years. Jens is a global sales manager, Tamy works as a marketing assistant. The cycle through the Roth- enthurm moorlands is impressive (see image above).

28 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 6 Zug–Einsiedeln “We start in the picturesque Old Town of Zug – a photo here, a selfie there. From there, we head uphill to the Blasenberg. Wonderful views of Lake Zug across to the Urn Alps are a welcome reward for having climbed 350 metres in altitude. Our journey towards Einsiedeln is accompanied by another turquoise lake at Ägeri, as well as forests and many fields. Now we can see where the milk and good cheese come from: farmland as far as the eye can see! Up and down once more before we reach Einsiedeln – but we soon recuperate in the impressive monastery church. What a day!”

Length: 40km Dirt roads: 6km Ascent: 1,050m Cycling time: 4–5h

29 It’s a good thing cows don’t ride bikes, or it’d be quite busy!

Mark Seman moved to Switzerland from the US 13 years ago. He is self-employed and lives in Stein (Appenzell Ausserrhoden). Mark is a cheese-lover and is delighted to learn that there are various cheese varieties to try in Emmental (see image to the left). He wonders whether there are ever any cars here as he climbs towards Gondiswil (see image at top).

30 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 8 Willisau–Burgdorf “It wasn’t until I had finished my ride that I learned that the stage from Willisau to Burgdorf is the most popular part of the Heart Route. That’s probably because everything about it is Swiss through and through. My motto for the route could have been ‘All alone’ or ‘Con- versing with cows’. I see lush green fields, cycle through shaded forests and only really have one problem: every hundred metres or so, I want to stop and take a photo. Of the picturesque villages, the beautiful view, the animals, the quaint shops. I’ve long since been familiar with Emmentaler – now I’m familiar with Emmental too!”

Length: 63 km Dirt roads: 10.5 km Ascent: 800m Cycling time: 5–6h

31 12 Laupen–Romont “There are two particularly fascinating things about this stage: the e-bikes and the fantastic Swiss landscape and historic towns. In Murten, for instance, you feel like you’ve stepped into a movie about the Middle Ages. Our destination, Romont, with its towers, battlements and castle, seems almost surreal from afar. The e-bikes are cool. It’s as if you had a tailwind, cycling without feeling out of breath, free to take it all in. I think we’ll stick to e-bikes in the future.”

Length: 63km Dirt roads: 9.5 km Ascent: 850 m Cycling time: 5–6h

32 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK As if in another era: Romont with its towers and castle.

Dong Liu and Ping An are both from China and have lived in Switzerland for around five years. He’s an engineer, she’s a photogra- pher and journalist. The couple are fascinated by the medieval towns along this stage, especially Murten (see images to the left).

33 Heart Route: overview

The Heart Route leads from Rorschach to Lausanne or the other way around. 7 1 Rorschach–Altstätten [39 km] Dirt roads: 0 km Lake Sempach and the Ascent: 1,050 m snow-capped Alps Cycling time: 4–5h 2 Altstätten–Herisau [43km] 5 km / 1,150 m / 4–5h 3 Herisau–Wattwil [55 km] 9 km / 950 m / 4–5h 4 Wattwil–Rapperswil [55 km] 2 km / 840 m / 4–5h 5 Rapperswil–Einsiedeln [58 km] 20 km / 1,190 m / 5–6h 8 Cows – everywhere 8 6 Einsiedeln–Zug [40 km] you turn in Emmental 6 km / 580 m / 3–4h 13 7 [ UNESCO World Heritage 7 Zug–Willisau 69 km] Willisau 13 km / 800 m / 5–6h Site: the vineyards of Lavaux Burgdorf 8 Willisau–Burgdorf [63 km] 12 9 10.5 km / 800 m / 5–6h Laupen Langnau 9 Burgdorf–Langnau [45 km] 11 7 km / 1,020 m / 4–5h Thun 10 Langnau–Thun [72 km] 10 5 km / 1,300 m / 6–7h Romont 11 Thun–Laupen [64 km] 15 km / 1,030 m / 6–7h 12 Laupen–Romont [63 km] 13 9.5 km / 850 m / 5–6h Lausanne 13 Romont–Lausanne [50 km] 3.5 km / 550 m / 4–5h

12 Rent a Bike, the largest provider Murten and Lake Murten – of rental bikes in Switzerland, has a highlight of stage 12 been running a dense network of 11 rental shops for more than 30 years. The view of the Along the Heart Route, Rent a Bike Gantrisch region from collaborates with local partners Riggisberg village to ensure your e-bike rental runs smoothly – and your hired FLYER takes you safely and comfortably over all of those hills. You can find Rent a Bike in around 180 locations, 9 such as train stations, sports shops, Moosegg viewing point, camp sites, hotels and their four Emmental, 950m a.s.l. own rental centres. Thanks to their eight mobile bike stores with up to 200 bikes, e-bikes and tandems, 10 your individual wishes as regards The Aare and Old Town of pick-up and drop-off points can Thun, certainly worth a visit also be taken into account. rentabike.ch

34 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK Paul Hasler on the creation of the Heart Route

1 Rorschach, Lake Constance. What a great place to start!

Rorschach 2 1 A highlight of stage two: the little town of Appenzell Herisau 3 Altstätten

Wattwil 2 Paul Hasler, what gave you Rapperswil 4 the idea to create a nation-wide Zug 5 cycling route? Einsiedeln I am fascinated by secret path- 6 ways. My passion for travelling on my bike led me to the US 3 in 1989, where I crossed the Herisau, capital of country on my trusty bike with Appenzell Ausserrhoden 30kg in luggage. It was then that I realised that, in a way, Switzerland is “bigger” than the US. There is so much worth seeing here. This spark drove me to pursue my dream of mapping 6 out a secret pathway through Switzerland for cyclists. Lake Ägeri against the backdrop of the Urn Alps How did you go about making the project a reality? 4 Rapperswil and its For 15 years, nobody was castle towards the top convinced by my idea. The first of Lake Zurich stage came about in 2003 and soon afterwards, the FLYER e-bike was launched.

What makes the Heart Route an 5 An impressive Baroque building: exciting experience, even today? the Einsiedeln monastery I am always particularly pleased to hear guests say that they redis- covered Switzerland on the Heart Route. That’s the magic of secret pathways, it is this magic that makes tourism, in my view.

For 25 years, Paul Hasler, age 54, has run the “Büro für Utopien” think tank in Burgdorf where projects like the Heart Route take form. More about the Heart Route: MySwitzerland.com/heartroute

35 Fixed gear: Patrick Seabase

Bern Männlichen, Grindelwald Dead Ends Getting there is all the fun. Especially when the road simply comes to an end. Extreme cyclist Patrick Seabase took to Switzerland’s most beautiful roads to nowhere on his fixed-gear bike for MySwitzerland.

Photographs: Maurice Haas

Graubünden Avers Valais Lac de Mauvoisin, Bagnes

Further images: MySwitzerland.com/deadends Ticino Lavizzara, Lago del Sambuco

43 Patrick Seabase, what wasDead your Ends: Titelfirst bike? A mountain bike, when I was eight. But back then, I was more of a skateboarder. So your fascination for the fixie set in later? Much later. It was not until ten years ago that I came into contact with the fixed-gear bike. What first struck me was its minimalist aesthetics. I simply thought it was stylish. There was nothing on it that wasn’t absolutely necessary. What makes riding a fixie special? Well, these bikes are built for the race track. There are no gears, no brakes, there is no free-wheeling. You always have to keep the same pace – always! The only way to slow down is to block the back wheel with all of your might. I guess you could say it’s like being fastened onto a rocket. What is the Dead Ends project all about? In addition to the beauty of the places featured, the project has a psychological side. A dead end wouldn’t really be your first-choice route. It’s not a pass road – you don’t get past the mountain. I want to inspire people not just to dedicate themselves to cycling passes. There are so many wonderful roads in Switzerland that are worth cycling back the same way. The fixie is your passion. How many of your tattoos are related to cycling? Only one: the Seabase 1910 route elevation profile.

44 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 34-year-old Patrick Seabase is most likely the most famous fixie rider in Switzer- land, if not the world.

He conquers the © Maurice Haas / 13 Photo steepest of passes on his fixed-gear bike. Remember, that means just one gear and no breaks. The qualified IT consultant is now a full-time cyclist. His sponsors include BMC, Red Bull, Samsung, Continental and IWC.

Regionaler Naturpark Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Naturschutzgebiet La Pierreuse unter der Gummfluh

45 Bike city: Geneva Tour de Genève Nobody knows a city like a bike courier. Are their eyes always on the clock or do they appreciate the beauty around them too? MySwitzerland had Johan show us the sights of the city on the Rhône from the perspective of his back wheel.

Text: Christian Sidow Photographs: Maël Vagneux

46 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 11:32 a.m. Sticking to the cycling lane.

Genevan bike courier Johan weaves elegantly through the throng on his bike. But the tourists are fixated on their mobile phones. “Everyone wants a selfie with the Jet d’Eau 1 . But today, I’m showing you a different side to Geneva,” Johan promises. He masters the incline over the cobbled streets of the Old Town up to Cathédrale Saint-Pierre 2 with ease. From the top, you can climb 157 steps to the top of the church tower and enjoy the view. Johan, however, is already on his way back down. He passes quaint shops and cosy cafés down to the Mur des Réformateurs 3 and continues across Plaine de Plainpalais 4 where the nightlife is. “In the evenings, you have to be really careful here not to run over any party animals.” There is no danger of that at lunchtime though. Already, at the end of Rue de l’École-de-Médecine, the next attraction awaits. Pont Hans-Wilsdorf 5 , named after the founder of Rolex, is an architectural masterpiece. We continue down-river towards Pointe de la Jonction 6 , where the Arve 11:48a.m. Taking a break in the shadow of the reformers. On tour with Johan 30-year-old Johan Oberson is a bike courier for Factotum in Geneva. Five years ago, friends of the qualified goldsmith who used to work there got him to try out being a bike courier.

47 12:24 p.m. Geneva is greener than you’d think. joins the clear waters of the Rhône. There are little wooden piers everywhere, where you can jump into the river. A great way to cool off, I think, as the sun beats almost straight down on my helmet. Continuing along the Quai du Rhône, we reach the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices 7 . The former waterworks are now a theatre. Time for a break. At La Barje, you can sit outside, right by the water, for a bite to eat, a drink and good music. Certainly a good spot to relax. “And now I’m going to show you the unofficial meet- ing point of bike couriers in Geneva,” Johan says and gets back on his bike. We cross the river to Place de Saint-Gervais 8 . “This place is so 1:15 p.m. central, we meet here when we’re waiting for You wouldn’t want to miss this. jobs. It seems everyone is busy today.” So we carry on to the Quartier des Grottes 9 . Just 100 metres from the main station, Geneva suddenly seems village-like. The Les Schtroumpfs apartment complex, reminiscent of Gaudí, Hundertwasser and the Smurfs, is particularly interesting. “It’s certainly not your typical Geneva with banks and watch-makers,” Johan smiles. After seeing these sights, we come to 1:47 p.m. Here, the road is like a museum.

48 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK Johan's Tour 12 Le Reposoir de Genève 9 Quartier des Grottes Cycling time: The trip takes around Bains des Pâquis 4.5 hours including sight-seeing. Bike LES PÂQUIS couriers do it in under an hour though. 11 LE SERVETTE Paths: Most of the journey follows official cycling lanes or gravel paths GARE CFF along the Arve.

Rental: Rent a Bike hires out touring 10 bicycles at the station. If you prefer, you will find a road bike at Rue des Grottes 22. Monument Brunswick Jet d' Eau LES DÉLICES Place de Saint-Gervais LAC LÉMAN 1 La Barje 8

*Bar* 7 EAUX-VIVES

CITÉ Pointe de la Jonction LE RHÔNE

6 Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

2 Plaine de Plainpalais 3 LES PLAINPALAIS 4 Mur des réformateurs L’ARVE

Université LES TRANCHÉES Pont Hans-Wilsdorf

49 5 2:42 p.m. Life in Geneva revolves around the Rhône.

the end of our trip. Free-wheeling under the railway bridge and then along narrow roads – to avoid the one-way streets – past the Brunswick Monument 10 back to the lake. Here, directly opposite the Jet d’Eau, you can head to popular river-side swimming area Bains des Pâquis 11 , but Johan still wants to show me Le Reposoir 12 . It’s ten minutes out of the city past the botanical gardens. The restaurant and bathing area offers marvellous views of Mont Salève. It’s a nice feeling, dangling our feet in the cool lake after a few hours in the saddle, thinking back to what we’ve seen.

4 p.m. Even from Le Reposoir, you can see the Jet d'Eau.

“When I'm working I go as fast as I can. As soon as my shift is over, however, I enjoy the city – almost like a tourist.”

50 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 5 tips

for 3 city riders Zurich

City- 5 Country-River Basel This Zurich Tourism route leads from the bustling main Shopping trip station along the Limmat 1 and out of the city to the A shopping and cultural trip Winterthur Üetliberg on cross-country on two wheels? Basel makes bikes. it possible. The extraordinary route leads in a large arch Industrieweg from Messeplatz past Rhein- hafen to the Mittlere Brücke. Around 175 km of cycling On the way, you can enjoy paths run through the city. hotspots for art, history, 15 km of which lead along nature and architecture. And, the Industriekulturweg. Cycle of course, various shops – though 200 years of industrial from shopping centres to history past 20 sights. tiny craft shops.

4 2 Lausanne 5 1 Lucerne 3 2

The bicycle Promenade 4 There are views of Lake Geneva from almost every- highway where in the city. The best way to see it, however, is to This wide route from Lucerne cycle along the promenade, More cycling routes to Horw follows the old railway from Dorigny to Ouchy, for through Swiss cities: line. Here, you can see an en- instance – then jump in the MySwitzerland.com/ tirely different side to Lucerne. lake. citybike

51 Gourmet: pasta creations

Martin Dalsass, awarded one Michelin star and 18 GaultMillau points, spoils his guests at Restaurant Talvo in Champfèr, St. Moritz. His creation of choice is ravioli with chanterelle mushrooms he picks himself in the nearby forest.

52 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK Energy for gourmets

Riders need fuel – pasta, that is. Only: does it always have to be bolognese? MySwitzerland asked Swiss star chefs to create a gourmet pasta dish. Martin Dalsass, a biking enthusiast who enjoys Engadin’s trails, goes first.

Text: Lucas Roos Photographs: Ladina Bischof Guy Ravet takes to his road bike at least once a week. “There are so many beautiful routes in the Lake Geneva Region – if only I had more time!” 2

Guy Ravet has been awarded one Michelin star and 19 Gault- Millau points and is a chef at the family-run Ermitage des Ravet in Vufflens- le-Château. He enhances his buckwheat tagliolini with burrata from Italy, tomatoes from the closeby farm and basil from his own garden.

55 3

Tanja Grandits, awarded two Michelin stars and 18 Gault- Millau points, is a chef at Restaurant Stucki in Basel. Colours and herbs play an important role in the creation of her dishes. The same applies to her spaghetti vongole with fennel flowers. Green repre- sents the freshness of the garden.

56 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK “I absolutely love riding my bike,” says Tanja Grandits. She likes to take it easy on her touring bike and enjoys unwinding in this wonderful way. Pasta fatta in casa

Many top chefse make their own pasta. To make good pasta, all you need is flour, eggs and salt – no stars or points required.

1 Martin Dalsass, Restaurant Talvo, Champfèr Ravioli with chanterelle mushrooms

Basic recipe 1. Put flour, eggs and a pinch of salt For 4 people: 300g eache of yellow and green pasta dough. in a bowl. Knead the mixture into For the filling: 1 veal shank, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 small celery root, a homogenous dough. thyme, rosemary, white wine, salt, pepper, 100g parmesan 2. Cover the dough with a damp cheese, 2 eggs, 10g parsley, 20g mascarpone. For the sauce: cloth and leave to rest for at least 200g chanterelle mushrooms, 20ml veal jus an hour. 3. Thoroughly knead the dough once Preparation again before rolling it out thinly. 1. Braise the veal with the onion, carrot and small celery root along Depending on the type of pasta, with the thyme, rosemary, white wine, salt and pepper in the oven either cut into strips or fill. until very soft. Take the shank out and remove the marrow. Pass the root vegetables and meat juices through a medium mincing If you want to give your pasta that plate. Stir the parmesan, mascarpone, eggs and chopped parsley je-ne-sais-quoi, we recommend into the mixture. Season to taste. following our chefs’ tips: Martin Dalsass gives his ravioli a 2. Spoon small portions of the mixture onto the dough, keeping fresh green hue with deliciously to one half. Leave 4cm between each spoonful of filling. Lay mixed, cooked spinach. the other side of the dough over the filling and press down For his tagliolini, Guy Ravet uses in between filling mounds to close the dough around them. both semolina and wholegrain Use a knife to cut the ravioli into 2 x 2cm squares. buckwheat flour and adds 30ml of 3. Heat some olive oil in a sauté pan, fry off the chanterelle virgin olive oil to the dough. mushrooms, deglaze with veal jus and leave to simmer briefly. Tanja Grandits always puts the Add in the cooked ravioli. freshly cooked pasta directly into the sauce and mixes it all together. 4. Arrange on a plate with fresh herbs.

58 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 2 Guy Ravet, Ermitage des Ravet, Vufflens-le-Château Tagliolini with burrata

and tomatoes 3 Tanja Grandits, Restaurant Stucki, Basel

Fore 4 people: 400g buckwheat tagliolini, 300g burrata, 400g small colourful Spaghetti vongole with tomatoes, 150ml olive oil, 100g basil pesto, 1 bunch basil leaves fennel flowers

Preparation 1. Drain the water from the burrata For 4 to 6 people: 6 tbsp. eolive oil, 4 finely diced spring onions, and whip gently with a pinch of salt, pepper and 50ml olive oil. 2 finely diced garlic cloves, 1 tsp crushed fennel seeds, 2 fennel bulbs diced into 1 x 1cm pieces, 1 seeded and finely 2. Wash the tomatoes, carefully diced green chilli, 2kg washed clams, 1 bunch of plucked remove the stalk, ensuring the and coarsely chopped fennel leaves (or dill), 200ml white wine, flesh is not damaged. Preheat salt, 500g spaghetti, 1 handful of fennel flowers the oven to 120°C. Spread the tomatoes out on a baking Preparation tray, sprinkle with salt, pepper, a 1. Heat the olive oil in a pot. Add in the spring onions, garlic, fennel, little sugar and a few drops of chilli and fennel seeds and fry briefly. olive oil. Bake for 30-40 minutes until caramelised. 2. Add in the clams and white wine. Cover and leave to simmer for approx. 3 minutes. 3. Boil the tagliolini for approx. 2 minutes al dente and drip dry. 3. Scoop out the clams using a skimmer and remove two-thirds Keep around 100ml of boiled of them from their shells. Reduce the juices down by half. water in the pan, add in the 4. Cook the spaghetti al dente, pour off the water and add in the tagliolini and mix in a little butter. clam juices. Add in the clams and fennel leaves, stir well and 4. Arrange the tagliolini into a nest season to taste. Scatter with fennel flowers. shape with a meat fork, place the burrata in the middle and scatter the caramelised tomatoes, pesto More culinary tips: MySwitzerland.com/culinary and basil leaves over the top.

59 Wellness: Bärner Meitschi Bike, spa and fun

The Bärner Meitschi or “Bernese Girls” are often out and about in Bern. The three bloggers scout out the best breakfasts, put new bars to the test and try out yoga classes. Along with some friends, they took to the Bernese Oberland for MySwitzerland and en- joyed some time cycling and in the spa.

Text: Caroline Hulliger Photographs: Anja Zurbrügg and Yasmina Heni

60 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK A bike ride among good-humoured friends (l. to r.): Stefanie Inniger (bike guide), Caroline Hulliger (Bärner Meitschi), Salome Egli, Angela Huerta, Yasmina Heni (Bärner Meitschi).

Q My mountain bike hasn’t been out in the hills for quite some time now. Not so when I was a child: as soon as we put our skis away for the season, my siblings and I got our bikes out. And so, when I get on the ultra-modern BMC bike in Adelboden, I feel like a kid again. First, we head up to Silleren on the train. We leave the paved road to the scooters and take a stony mountain trail over to Hahnenmoos. Our guide recommends that we take our weight off the saddle and keep our pedals parallel. Only brake if it’s necessary, otherwise, free-wheel. Sure enough: The initial fear evaporates, and we start to enjoy the Simply free-wheel: Bärner Meitschi Caroline in action. wonderful mountain panorama.

61 After an extensive bike ride, the sweet-smelling flower bath is a more than welcome respite.

A different kind of mountain experience: the outdoor pool offers glorious views of the Adelboden mountains.

62 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK o Back in our trendy hotel, Parkhotel Belle- vue & Spa in Adelboden, we swap our sports gear for a bikini and bath robe. We can barely wait to give our legs some well-deserved rest. We lean back and enjoy the floral steam room (40°C), and everyone gives their thighs a rub. Body and mind relax quickly here from our sporty activity. After briefly cooling off in the indoor pool, we head out into the outdoor saltwater pool (34°C), from which the massive mountains look close enough to touch. What an impressive view! The water starts to bubble and ease our tense muscles. I smile to myself. Bernese Oberland is paradise for cyclists. We feel relaxed and happy – we will remember our bike ride for a long time to come.

Caroline gets dressed up for dinner in the hotel’s own gourmet restaurant. Top: a well-deserved culinary treat after an eventful day in the mountains.

63 Exclusive Included on Swiss quality. every  ight.

swiss.com Made of Switzerland. 5 tips

for 3 bike and wellness Brunnen Waldstätter-

hof 5 Zermatt Seehotel Waldstätterhof lives up to its lake-inspired name. After your ride around 1 Alpenhof Fronalpstock, cool off in the Thun-Gwatt hotel’s own lake-side swim- If you are looking for a relax- ming area. ing holiday in the great outdoors complete with cycling, Deltapark Wellness Hotel Alpenhof is the one for you. The family- Deltapark Vitalresort by run hotel is situated in a Lake Thun is all about exer- quiet, sunny spot right in the cise and relaxation. Its mag- centre. Directly opposite the nificent spa facilities with Sunnegga cable car, which pools, saunas and treat- is the fastest route up to the ments are ideal for you to most beautiful bike routes relax after your bike ride. with views of the Matterhorn. 4 Ascona 2

Samnaun 3 2 Delta 1 4 Montana Enjoy Parkhotel Delta’s prime 5 location: perched between At Wellness-Hotel Chasa the relaxing lake and chal- Montana, the cycling routes lenging mountains. The oasis start right on the doorstep. with its subtropical park is More Wellness Hotels for After an exciting day biking, ideal for cyclists and people cyclists and bon-vivants: relax in the Roman swim- who want to relax. MySwitzerland.com/ ming pool. wellness

65 Nature retreat

Nestled in the natural landscape – by lakes, in the mountains or in quaint towns. Ideal for relaxing breaks and wonderful bike rides, far away from everyday life. MySwitzerland presents 64 hideaways that need not hide away from anyone.

Are you always on your bike? Then we recommend Swiss Bike Hotels. MySwitzerland.com/bikehotels

66 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK Booklet: Summer hideaways

Need a brochure? MySwitzerland.com/hideaways

67 Family trip: on the trail of the dinosaurs

Jurassic Park

In the pretty Ajoie landscape, dinosaur tracks are all around. Travelling back into prehistoric times is as exciting as the cinema for young and old. Claudio, Irene, Marie Lotta and Hanna went on an expedition in Jura – on their bikes along the Jurassic Bike Route, of course.

Text: Claudio Zemp Photographs: Irene Balmer

68 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 69 It’s only natural to break a sweat. Ajoie may be sparsely populated, but it is very diverse. On paths over fields, encounter locals on their walks, cycling tourists and, perhaps, the odd galloping horse.

We wander through the forest into the past. Préhisto-Parc seems almost a little surreal. And creepy. An an- cient tortoise here, a flying dinosaur hanging from the tree tops there. A carnivorous lizard jumps from the next bush – T. rex’s little brother? By the way: the spikey creature next to us is a Saichania.

70 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK Dino & Co. Préhisto-Parc Réclère has a two-kilometre forest trail with 45 life-size imitations of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, included those pictured below.

Stegosaurus

Deinonychus The Banné was once flanked by shallow, tropical lagunas, long before mountains were formed. Today, we chisel and scrape away at the marlstone. The rock harbours a plentiful supply of fossils. The junior palaeontologists can keep anything they find. Before long, our buckets are full Hypsilophodon of fossilised sea shells, snails and crocodile teeth. Hanna and Marie Lotta are very excited about their dinosaur adventure.

Courtedoux Educational trail Porrentruy Pteranodon Jurassica Museum

Réclère Préhisto-Parc Montvoie Ferme Montavon

Parasaurolophus

71 The Aebi family’s Ferme Montavon is not far from Réclère Préhisto-Parc by the French border. Alongside cows and calves, four donkeys and rare peacock goats live on the farm. The children are welcome to lend a hand. Farmer Samuel and his boys built the straw castle. They say that, in the barn, there is a secret portal that transports you to the time of the dinosaurs – which makes sleeping in the straw all the more exciting.

72 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 5 tips

for 3 families Bellinzona–Locarno

Magadino 5 Ziegelbrücke–Rapperswil Plain Linth Plain- This family route leads along the Ticino River to a place by Lago Maggiore, renowned 1 Lake Zurich for its southern charm and Sierre–Martigny Mediterranean climate. This route first follows the perfectly straight Linth canal, then leads along the Ober- Rhone Route see taking you into Bollingen, where sandstone was once Ride slowly down the Rhône harvested to build St. Gallen’s valley past vineyards and abbey church and Zurich’s historical castles. Be careful, Grossmünster. If you want though: on a nice afternoon to head over the bridge to in Valais, you are likely to Pfäffikon from Rapperswil- encounter strong head Jona, you’ll have to do winds. so on foot. 4 Rorschach–Romanshorn 2 4 5 Vallorbe–Nyon Lake 2 Jura Route Constance 1 3 The highlight of the journey Lake Constance, the third- through Jura Vaudois Nature largest inland lake in Europe, Park is the view of Col du is surrounded by picturesque More cycling routes for Marchairuz. After a well-de- lake-side promenades featur- the whole family: served rest, take a leisurely ing playgrounds, bathing MySwitzerland.com/ cycle to Lake Geneva. areas, parks and restaurants. family

73 Outdoors: Alpine passes

Max Küng on joy and suffering changes constantly, pine trees emanate their bewitching smell until you have climbed so far on the mountain. that you have crossed the treeline and enter a barren, lonely landscape. You meander up- wards on roads expertly crafted into the natural landscape and have time to fully appreciate the engineering behind them. You get closer and closer to the sky and it seems that you are slowly leaving this world.

A friend of mine from Belgium is close to tears every time he sees me. Of course, he’s happy to see me, but the reason behind the threatening tears lies elsewhere: the mountain No less landscape of the Alps. My Belgian friend and I share a passion, road cycling, and every time he sees me he is reminded of the fact that than a small but he lives in a country whose best-known mountain for road cyclists is the Koppenberg. Height? 77 metres above sea level. My friend true adventure. has been sentenced to a lifetime of flat landscapes and his longing for real mountains and the passes that lead over them is great, but getting there requires a lot of travel. And every time I see this friend, I, in turn, am Well, admittedly, there is a moment every now reminded of how lucky I am. and then when you listen to your body and ask yourself whether you really want to be Naturally, not everyone is as enthusiastic. doing what you are doing right now – when it Recently, when I told my father-in-law I was gets particularly steep, when it’s particularly about to cycle over my favourite pass, the hot, when you can feel your heart beat in your San Bernardino, he shook his head. “Rather skull, pounding at 180 beats per minute or you than me,” he said dryly. And, of course, more, when your salty sweat is burning in your he’s quite right. Rather me than anyone else, eyes. But just then, at that moment, you’ll feel because it is the most wonderful thing to cycle a warm breeze, catch a particularly beautiful over a mountain: there is nothing else, just you view of the road travelled, hear a marmot and the mountain. In the case of the San whistle defiantly, see the blue sky reflected in a Bernardino, you start in the south where palm perfectly level mountain lake, along with the trees grow, the road is straight and the terrain tips of the mountains. A little later, you have is flat. Soon, there are ever fewer houses, more reached the summit, rest your bike up against trees and the path climbs. The landscape the signpost, take that all-important souvenir

74 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK photo, put on your wind jacket, eat the banana you brought with you and shoot down the other side of the mountain, around the bends For people who that are different each time with the warm wind in your face. love winding And in the evening, when you are lying in bed with buzzing legs and your eyes closed, your mind racing with the day’s memories, every- turns and bends thing you have experienced simmers on inside you. What you experienced was no less than a small but real adventure. You might not be sure whether you are lying there half awake or whether you are already dreaming, but you know two things for sure – that you are alive and that you are happy,

There is a book (a novel called “Wenn du dein Haus verlässt, beginnt das Unglück” or “Mis- fortune awaits when you leave the house”) in which one of the characters, a middle-aged From summer 2018 onwards, man, has declared it his goal to climb all of the various events will be taking passes in Switzerland, 127 in total, on his road place as part of Ride the Alps, bike by the end of the year, in alphabetical for which selected Swiss passes order too, from the Ächerli Pass to the Susten will be reserved exclusively to the Wolfgang. It is a very good book, by for cyclists. With no cars on the way. I would say that though – I wrote it! the road, nothing stands in This man’s aim is an ambitious one – and it your way, whether you are an is secretly my goal too, to cycle over all of the aspiring road cyclist racing passes in Switzerland. But I know that I against the clock or simply couldn’t possibly do it in a year, not even in looking to enjoy leisurely two. But as a life-long goal, it is doable. ascents and relaxed downhill rides. Top road quality, breathtaking views and local Max Küng (49) is an author and enthusiastic road cyclist. Since 2000, he has been writing regular hospitality – traffic-free columns and reports for the Tages-Anzeiger’s “Das mountain pass roads are per- Magazin” as well as a book every now and then. fect for a truly special cycling experience. Have fun on car-free roads!

You can find more information on the locations and dates at: ridethealps.ch

75 76 To book your trip to the mostbeautiful road cycling my Switzerland transport and accommodation, pleasesee: routes inSwitzerland includingluggage

NATURE WANTS YOU BACK MySwitzerland.com/roadcycling Equipment: must-havesforcyclists

6 5

3 On track on your road bike

Part of the fascination of road cycling lies in the 4 rituals that go hand in hand with the sport. It all starts when you put on your windproof clothing 1 and shave 2 your legs before you set off. Smooth calves are supposedly more aero- dynamic, and make it easier to massage 3 your tired muscles after a day on your bike. Once you have packed enough food 4 and fluids 5 for the journey, it’s finally time to get on your bike 6 and tackle your next mountain pass (or lake promenade).

77 78 mountain bike to take thatall-important Thankfully, ona over therough terrain. Then you headback down 360-degree summitphoto head uptowards the uous upanddown. you First is justlike lifeitself: acontin- Sometimes mountainbiking first-aid kit tors to have a beneath you, itisvery useful a littletooclosetothegravel be unluckyenoughtoget anyway. Andshouldyou a walk inthe park–almost, most bumpy oftrailsfeels like good suspension,even the Totally in my the flow the flow

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Unforgettable mountain bike tours with multiple stages and entirely without luggage start here: MySwitzerland.com/mtb

79 1

Find your leisurely e-bike tour including luggage transportation service and accommodation with ease here: MySwitzerland.com/trekkingbike

80 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK © Maya & Daniele 2 4 3 5 6 left over to you’ll have ampleenergy little electronic support, destination. Thankstoa focus onenjoying your and motorised motorised bikers, whenyou travel by road cyclistsandmountain there isall thefunfor on ane-bike. Whilegetting relaxed whenyou – arrive Be relaxed onyour way, be their bikes too. and riders can bereached by e-bike, where in read e-bike Great tours

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Leisure cycling: Thurgau Ready, set, go!

Cycle through Thurgau and you’ll soon see why the region is known as the home of apple juice. It’s all about apples. While you are out and about, learn what you can make from apples.

Text: Lucas Roos Photographs: Martin Mischkulnig

Altnau

Steinebrunn Arbon

Neukirch

82 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK

02040 80 km

01020 40 miles 83 pple trees. Fields. Apple trees. On a leisurely bike ride in Thurgau, you’ll cycle past countless apple trees – but you’re unlikely to see what actuallyA happens to the apples. From Sep- tember 2018, the start of the Tour in Arbon Dried, not pressed: Monika and Roland Kauderer’s orchard has the best apple rings. will be postponed to allow for the opening of the Möhl apple-juice factory visitors’ centre. To highlight the importance of the apple, the first and only Swiss juicing and Get around by bike fermentation museum will showcase the cultural tradition of beverage manufacturing. in Thurgau, you're never I’ll have to wait a while to discover the history of apple-pressing, so for now I’ll press far away from your on with my bike. I’m headed to Stein- brunn – with a lakeside view.

next apple juice. Fields. Apple trees. Fields. A few pedal rotations south of Steinebrunn, I encounter the local attraction: the apple farm, what else? Here, on the Kauderer family’s farm, apples – which have been the Swiss symbol of freedom ever since William Tell’s perfect shot – are dried rather than pressed. You decide what the apple would prefer. One thing’s for sure, no one has quite mastered the art of drying apples like Roland Kauderer. Experience how apple rings are made on a two-hour tour. What’s more, you can try the apple rings and buy some in the farm shop.

In Neukirch an der Thur, there are apples as far as the eye can see.

84 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK On a bike ride in Thurgau, you'll encounter not only several apple trees, but also many nice fruit farmers.

Hansruedi Schweizer grows 250 types of apple on his orchard in Neukirch an der Thur.

Apple trees. Fields. Apple trees. From Steinebrunn to Schönenberg, on roads lined with apple and pear trees. Yet, as I am soon to learn, not all pears are equal and neither are apples. Hansruedi Schweizer’s fruit farm is located in Neukirch an der Thur, the town along from Schönenberg. They grow 250 different types of apple, and one of them is even a beauty product. Cosmetics companies swear by the phyto stem cells found in the Uttwil Spätlauber apple variety, renowned for its long shelf life – without wrinkling. You learn something new every day.

Fields. Apple trees. Fields. I leave the orchard and head back to the lake, or rather to Altnau – to visit another farm. On family Barth’s Feierlenhof, you can enjoy apples or even adopt an apple tree, but I decide to rest my tired legs and spend the night on the farm. It’s a bubble hotel, a kind of glass dome with clear views of the night sky – and the apple trees.

Delicious apple specialities and an overnight stay in the bubble hotel: the best time to stop off at Reinhard and Rita Barth’s Feierlenhof is at night.

85 Switzerland's 15.8 kilograms of apples are eaten favourite fruit in Switzerland per capita every year. No fruit is more popular than 25 This makes apples the malus domestica. Here calories are in more popular than are a few juicy apple facts. 100 ml of apple-juice chocolate (11.7kg) spritzer – a natural on average. isotonic drink.

The six most popular apple varieties in Switzerland Pink Lady 1 Golden Delicious tree still produces the Alant apple in Switzerland. 8 % Nowadays, this particularly 26 % Jazz robust, hardy variety Gala is naturally crossed with 11 % other varieties. 22 % Topaz Braeburn 18 % 15 % Thurgau 140,000 t apples per year are harvested by Swiss fruit farmers. of which ²∕³ are from the Vaud three largest growing regions. Valais

1,307 , It was not in 1291 that >20000 William Tell shot that historic bolt apple varieties can be found worldwide, but only few, such as Gala, Golden Delicious, into the apple. Until as recently as Braeburn and Jonagold, are grown for 100 years ago, 8 November 1307 consumption as fresh fruit. was thought to be the founding year of the Confederation.

86 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 5 tips

for 3 leisure cyclists Bellinzona–Cavergno

Percorso 5 Schaffhausen–Bad Zurzach Valle Maggia Rhine Route First through the fertile Magadino Plain, then through busy Locarno and, 1 Stage 7 lastly, into the romantic Liestal–Laufen Maggia Valley – one route, This attractive route along three wonderful backdrops. the Upper Rhine starts with a bang at the Rhine Falls. Chirsi Route Shortly afterwards, the Rhine slows and, from then This route leads through an on, proceeds at a peaceful idyllic landscape full of cherry pace well-suited to cycling. trees. The route is particu- Romantic meadows and larly worthwhile in spring historical Rhine cities make when the trees are in full this stage a cultural highlight bloom or in summer when of the bike tour. the cherries are ripe. 4

Martigny–Leuk 5 2 1 2 Appenzell Vignoble 3 E-bike tour This route on the sun- 4 drenched north side of the Delicious specialities in differ- Rhône Valley is a series of ent guest houses, unique solid inclines and descents views of the hilly landscape through vineyards, historical More cycling routes for and hospitality typical of sites and wine-making vil- the whole family: Appenzell – what more could lages, where you can try a MySwitzerland.com/ you want? glass of white wine. trekkingbike

87 Prix Bienvenu: welcoming hotels

1 Luxury hotel Prix Bienvenu Attentiveness, Suvretta House, St. Moritz warmth, empathy Personal hospitality defines the Hotel Suvretta HouseÄ, which has been owned by the same family since its foundation in 1912. Two and helpfulness are restaurants and three mountain restaurants serve up culinary delights, the criteria for the while a 25-metre swimming pool, ice rink and tennis courts as well as Prix Bienvenu award. putting and pitching greens offer guests a place for active relaxation. This Swiss prize for suvrettahouse.ch hospitality is awarded to 100 Swiss hotels 2 each year. The Luxury city hotel evaluation is based on comments by Des Bergues, Geneva hotel guests taken The city’s first hotel to be awarded the Prix Bienvenu for the second from 250 rating and time: the Four Seasons Hotel booking platforms. des BerguesÄ at the heart of Geneva. The impressive hotel with These are the winners 68 rooms and 35 suites right on of the five categories the shores of Lake Geneva im- presses guests with its nostalgic in 2017. charm. The professional employees spoil their guests with dedication and warmth.

fourseasons.com/geneva

88 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 3 City hotel Hotel Uzwil A business hotel with the charm of a hideaway. Rich in tradition, Hotel UzwilÕ perfectly reconciles work, pleasure and relaxation. 43 exquisitely furnished rooms and all-inclusive apartments invite you to feel at home for a few days or weeks. The hotel is also the perfect starting point for a discovery tour of the region of St.Gallen-Lake Constance. hotel-uzwil.ch

4 5 Cosy leisure hotel Large leisure hotel Hotel Gädi, Chasa Montana, Samnaun Grächen Surrounded by 3,000-metre Relaxation in a family-friendly peaks in the Samnaun range is setting define the cosy Hotel the Chasa Montana Hotel & GädiÃ. Directly adjacent to the SpaÀ, near the highest duty- piste and valley station of the free shopping mile in Europe. new fairy tale gondola lift to the For those wishing to recover Hannigalp, hikers, skiers and oth- after shopping or skiing, the ers looking to have a good time traditional, chalet-style wellness are all welcome. In the evenings, hotel features an indoor Roman the hotel’s restaurant, new wellness pool with a grotto and award- area and open fireplace are all winning cuisine in the La great for relaxing. Miranda gourmet restaurant. hotel-gaedi.ch hotelchasamontana.ch

More information on the winners of the Prix Bienvenu and the 100 friendliest hotels in Switzerland can 3 be found at: MySwitzerland.com/ 5 bienvenu

1 2 4

89 Selected: summer stories Your bike is calling Want to get away but 1 Valais don't know where to? MySwitzerland presents The top tour 740 kilometres, 20 Alpine passes and ten stages linking the mountains people and stories and valleys. The Valais Cycling Tour offers numerous highlights and bears the hallmarks of Valais-based from the world of cycling. road cyclist Steve Morabito.

3 Graubünden

2 Pure Aargau wilderness From castle to castle The e-bike route around the National Park is filled with natural Those who explore the sweeping landscape of landscapes. The route takes you Aargau by bike will discover a region laden with through pinewood forests and history. We have the Habsburgs to thank for there remote valleys. The tour can be completed in four stages – ideally being so many castles bordering the Aare route. without luggage. This is trans- ported from hotel to hotel.

90 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 4 Jura & Three-Lakes Hospitable farms The spectacular ridge of the Chasseral, the mag- 5 nificent view of the Alps Fribourg Region and the famous dry-stone walls attract mountain bikers to Jura. Those in Winemaker need of a good solid break can treat themselves to a stay at a Métairie (mountain guest- on tour house). At the Métairie du Milieu, the young The Mount Vully is one of Krähenbühl family serves up delicious products Switzerland’s smallest vineyards. Winemaker Bernard Derron from their own farm directly alongside the route. presses wine – if he is not on his bike exploring his home region.

7 Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region Summit Former track cyclist Bruno Risi loves cycling over passes on 6 8 his road bike. The route from Bern Andermatt over the Furka, Lake Geneva Region Nufenen and Gotthard is a real highlight. For Bruno, challenging Almost like in himself and conquering the Passes to mountain is an adventure every time: “It’s about winning the days gone by battle in your mind.” delight Spelt flour from the village mill, Low-traffic passes that get your butter from the cheese dairy and a calves burning, culinary tempta- delicious biscuit based on a recipe tions along the way and pictur- that is over a hundred years old: esque vineyards with views of the on the trail of Kambly Bretzeli Alps: the Vaudoise Alps allure through Emmental on an e-bike, in many ways – road cycling you feel nostalgia for a bygone era. guide Alain Rumpf knows where best to stop.

9191 9 By train, bus and boat Excellently combined “Hop on, hop off” is normally associ- ated with city tours. In Switzerland, the concept also applies to cycling. Because cycling routes are rarely far from the next public transport stop. On the Rhine Route between Kreuzlingen and Schaffhausen, for example, you can cycle at a leisurely pace, or do part of the route by train or boat. The extensive public transport network lets you mix and match your transport. Or tailor it to your fitness level.

MySwitzerland.com/swisstravelsystem

92 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK 10 Swiss parks La Route Verte Experience six Swiss parks in one go on the new La Route Verte cycling route. It leads from Schaffhausen to Geneva through 12 Jura’s parks. An experience all about nature, culture and inter- Ticino esting encounters. Fun trails and appetising dishes Under the Monte Bar summit, on the wonderful SwitzerlandMobility “Lugano Bike” mountain bike route, an SAC hut proudly sits – and it’s clearly more than a hut. It offers plenty of comfort and everything for cyclists and their bikes. And serves up hearty Ticino specialities. Young hut wardens Alessandro and Jvan used to cook in luxury hotels and now they spoil Monte Bar guests by embody- 11 ing all the principles of hospitality. Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein

Trails by René Here are the stories in full: In 1999, René Wildhaber ranked MySwitzerland.com/ summerstories 9 second in the European Downhill 2 Championships. Today, he devel- 4 ops trails on Flumserberg: the 11 location is set to become a cy- 5 6 cling destination. As a profes- 3 7 sional, Wildhaber knows what 10 8 he’s doing. The trails flow beauti- 12 1 fully and are designed to enable anyone, whether competitive or beginner, to feel the magic of a rapid descent.

9393 THE SWISS CHOCOLATE FACTORY

OPEN 7/7

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Nature is just a click away Whether you travel on your bike, on foot, by rail, bus or boat – nature beckons. From the highest mountain to the clearest lake or deepest gorge, there are many sides to summer in Switzerland. Learn more about them here: MySwitzerland.com/summer

1 platform – 777 experiences Whether it’s canyoning down the Viamala Gorge with Rik or tracking ibex colonies by the Niederhorn with Urs – meet local hosts and actively experience the Swiss summer with them. MySwitzerland.com/myswissexperience Nature news Find up-to-date information for an unforgettable summer in Switzerland’s great outdoors in our newsletter. Subscribe now: MySwitzerland.com/newsletter #MySwitzerland Follow on social media for the best photographs, videos and stories by Stay up to date on your mobile visitors to Switzerland and become With our free mobile apps, you always have access to useful part of this community by sharing information and services. Now on iTunes, Google Play and the your own experiences: Windows Store. facebook.com/MySwitzerland MySwitzerland.com/mobile instagram.com/MySwitzerland twitter.com/MySwitzerland inlovewithswitzerland.com

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96 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK

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A generously sized camper van with lots of space for bikes and cyclists, special mountain bike maps with an almost endless supply of route ideas and the best rental equipment, as well as an e-bike that’s ready for action: these offers ensure you are perfectly equipped for a great cycling holiday.

Europcar camper van Stay independent and discover Switzerland in a Europcar VW California. Thanks to its many practical features, the camper van is truly a home on four wheels. Mountain bikers can transport their bikes securely on the bike rack. europcar.ch/camper

Mountain bike maps of Hallwag These water- and tear-resistant maps on a scale of 1 : 50,000 give you a comprehensive overview of the planned route, including elevation profiles, levels of difficulty, distances, cycling times, safety warnings and much more. As an additional service, maps can be downloaded to your smartphone free of charge. swisstravelcenter.ch/mountainbike_karten

BMC e-mountain bike BMC’s first e-bike has an elegant design and offers the best performance on the trail. With its powerful motor, seamlessly integrated into the carbon frame, and its versatility on the trail, Speedfox AMP makes it possible to go on adventures that always seemed out of reach. bmc-switzerland.com

swissrent equipment rental Got a sudden urge to cycle? Simply hire the right equipment online, via the app or in a swissrent shop. The range includes downhill bikes, freeride and cross-country models, as well as Enduros – plus protective gear, trailers and other bike accessories for old and young. swissrent.com

97 End

Get advice and book Spectacular trails, attractive With our extensive knowledge of Switzerland, we can help you plan the perfect holiday. Call: 00800 100 200 30 paths through fields and forests, (free of charge*)

steep mountain pass roads

Travel comfortably with awe-inspiring mountain Tips and information on how to get to Switzerland. Whether you plan to come by plane, train or car, Switzerland has excellent panoramas – there are many international connections. MySwitzerland.com Webcode: 25321 ways to get back in touch

Enjoy the ride with nature, including unique Travel in comfort and enjoy every moment of the journey. An extensive public transport experiences for cyclists. Whether network makes exploring Switzerland fun – and offers total flexibility. MySwitzerland.com on wide tyres with deep tread or Webcode: 25349

on smooth narrow ones, your Find accommodation Lifestyle hotel, wellness palace route is ready: head outdoors on or even sleeping in the straw? The choice of accommodation in Switzerland is vast. Booking is quick and easy. your bike! MySwitzerland.com Webcode: 25384

* Local charges may apply.

98 mySwitzerland NATURE WANTS YOU BACK MySwitzerland.com 895 reasons to discover Switzerland on the Grand Tour Schaffhausen B o First electric road trip: 200 charging stations for electric vehicles d e n Beautiful curves: 5 Alpine passes higher than 2,000 m s Rhein Thur e Freshwater heaven: 22 lakes bigger than 0.5 km² e Unforgettable highlights: 12 UNESCO World Heritage Properties Töss Frauenfeld Limma and 2 Biosphere Reserves B A t Multicultural society: 4 official languages, countless dialects Liestal Baden Perfect signposting: 650 official Grand Tour signposts irs B Aarau Herisau More details on the Grand Tour: Delémont Appenzell in MySwitzerland.com/grandtour Re e h

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The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a suggested route that makes use of the existing Swiss road 1546 network. Visitors follow the route at their own risk. Switzerland Tourism and the Grand Tour of Switzerland association accept no liability for construction works, diversions, signage relating to special events or safety provisions along the route. GERMANY

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B o d e n s Rhein Thur e e Töss Frauenfeld Limm at Liestal Baden irs B Aarau M AUSTRIA Delémont Herisau

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g 0204080 km Grand-St-Bernard a Alpine passes on the Grand Tour L 0102004 miles ITALY 1546

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