15 Fun family bike rides in Switzerland

Switzerland has a large network of biking routes. However, most published routes are very long with lots of hills and often on busy roads with narrow bike lanes or none at all. After years of cycling with our family here, we’ve gathered the following collection of family-friendly bike rides in Switzerland. All these rides are under 25km, mostly away from busy roads, and quite flat with gentle hills. Enjoy!

Bike around lakes

1. Greifensee

The bike route around the Greifensee is a great choice for families, with clearly marked paths separate from car traffic. Much of the land surrounding the Greifensee is a nature preserve, so its very lush and pretty, especially with all the flowers in springtime. It’s an easy ride, without any big hills but long enough to qualify as exercise. There are many picnic areas with grill pits and swimming areas. It’s a delightful recreational area close to Zurich that we plan to visit again and again.

See details for Greifensee lake path

2. Pfäffikersee

The Pfäffikersee is a beautiful lake near Zurich with a protected nature preserve along much of the lakeshore. There is a great path around the lake for walking or biking, with lots of fun distractions for the kids, including Jucker Farm, swimming in the lake, and a lakeside playground in Pfäffikon.

We’ve also been camping at the Pfäffikersee a couple times and we always bring our bikes so we can ride over to Jucker Farm for meals. We’re ridden there in all seasons and it’s always pretty.

See details for Pfäffikersee lake path

3. Lake Constance (Bodensee)

This large lake has 260km of biking paths all the way around the lake. But you can choose smaller sections to ride and return by train with your bike. We’ve enjoyed two sections: Kreuzlingen to Romanshorn (20 km) and Romanshorn to Rorschach (16km).

See details for Lake Constance bike ride

Bike along rivers

4. Sihl River

If you live in Zurich, the Sihl river is an easy choice for family biking. The path starts right next to the skate park across from SihlCity and follows the river all the way to Zug. It’s mostly on smooth dirt paths away from traffic, along open fields, through the forest, and along the river. It’s also mostly flat, making it easier for smaller kids to keep up. It goes parallel to the train tracks, so you can stop anytime if your kids get tired and take the train back instead of riding. There are lots of green places on the river to stop for a picnic and even make a campfire.

See details for Sihl river path

5. Limmat River

One of the best and easiest bike ride for kids near Zürich, on a path along the Limmat river leading north from Zürich city. Lots of places to play and picnic along the way. You can ride as far as you like and take the train back to your starting point. We’ve ridden as far as Baden. Distance from 5 to 28 km.

See details for Limmat river path

6. Reuss River

While the official bike route is on the busy main road, families are much better off biking on this dirt service road the parallels the large Reuss river that leads to Bremgarten and beyond. The path alternates between hugging the river bank and veering off into forests and beautiful nature preserves. The path is flat almost the entire way, which is great for younger children that don’t have the strength or endurance for tougher terrain. There are many places to stop and picnic and enjoy the river and environs.

See details for Reuss river path

7. Lauterbrunnen Valley

This private road from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg is popular with walkers, bikes, and kids on scooters and rightly so. You pass through lush farm fields teaming with wildflowers, admire numerous waterfalls falling from sheer cliff faces on each side, and look up to snow-capped peaks above. The path is easy going, mostly flat and paved, with very little traffic. It parallels the bus route, so you can ride the bus back into town when you get tired. About halfway down, you can detour to the Trummelbach Falls, then continue all the way to Stechelberg where you could ride up to the Schilthorn. This is a great option if you want to spend time around the alps, but the mountain trails haven’t yet opened for summer season.

See details for Lauterbrunnen valley path

8. Lorze River to Lake Zug

This delightful family bike ride follows the Lorze river from Neuägeri to Lake Zug, on easy dirt and paved paths. The path is mostly flat or slightly downhill, almost always separate from car traffic, with only a short section is on a low traffic country road. Along the way, you’ll pass the Hölligrotten caves, which are worth a short visit. There are several picnic areas along the river, at least one with a little playground. The path ends at a park and swimming area on the shores of Lake Zug, a nice reward for your kids’ hard work on the ride.

See details for Lorze river path

9. Aare River

After visiting the Frey chocolate factory, we biked along the nearby Aare river to work off some on the all-you-can-eat chocolate bar. The path is flat, easy and mostly away from car traffic, very good for families. The path is often in the forest, passing many picnic and grilling spots along the way. Although it follows the river, the path is on the other side of embankment, so you actually can’t see the river, which was a little disappointing. But we still liked the ride would definitely recommend it.

See details for Aare river path

10. Glatt River Valley

This biking/skating path is part of a much longer skating route that circles the airport. But this 11 km section in the Glatt river valley is rural and quiet, secluded from the nearby hustle and bustle. The path is almost exclusively on a wide, paved path along the river, away from car traffic, great for families with little kids. It’s designed for skating but bikes are allowed.

See details for Glatt valley river path

11. Töss River

This is another good family-friendly bike ride in the Töss valley east of Zurich. The bike/skate route follows a small river on paved path, mostly separate from traffic in fields and forests, with a few sections in quiet neighborhoods. The path parallels the train line, so you can easily cut your ride short if the kids are too tired. There are a few picnic areas with fire pits, a couple playgrounds and even some geocaches along the route. It would be nice in all seasons, but I recommend going in late spring when the trees are green and the flowers are out.

See details for Tösstal river path

Countryside bike rides

12. Linthebene

This large flat valley south of Lake Zürich is a great place for biking through grassy farm fields with mountain views. It’s a paved path on low traffic country roads and separate bike lanes, safe for families. There’s a nice playground at halfway point for reward and picnic. 23 km loop, accessible by public transport.

See details for Linthebene bike path

13. Thurgau apple orchards ride

The Thurgau region in eastern Switzerland is well-known as an apple growing region. Biking through the apple orchards is a popular activities, particularly in spring for the apple blossoms or fall for the harvest. We biked from Kreuzlingen to Altnau, then biked around the apple theme trail with fun activities for kids. 

See details for Thurgau apple orchard bike tour

14. Bellinzona Valle Maggia bike ride

Valle Maggia is a long flat valley in the Ticino region of southern Switzerland. This is a great choice for cycling because it’s so easy and has good bike lanes on low traffic roads. We did this ride between Bellinzona and Locarno as part of a SlowUp event. 

See our Bellinzona itinerary with bike ride info

15. Zimmerberg

Beautiful ride along the Zimmerberg hills southwest of Zurich, ending at two little lakes in a nature preserve. 

See details for Zimmerberg bike ride

Map of bike route locations