The best e-bike tours around Lucerne

Short answer: There are 5 outstanding e-bike tours around Lucerne ranging from 25 to 85 km – from the flat lakeside path (Lucerne–Küssnacht, 25 km) to the alpine loop via the Glaubenberg (85 km, 1,400 hm). All tours are suitable for the DailyDrive, Power45 or PowerDrive models. Ideal season: April to October.

Overview: A comparison of 5 tours

Tour	Distance	Elevation gain	Approximate duration	Difficulty
1. Lakeside path to Küssnacht	25 km	150 hm	1.5 h	Easy
2. Emmental Excursion	55 km	650 hm	3 h	Moderate
3. Rigi Circuit	65 km	900 hm	4 h	Moderate to Challenging
4. Entlebuch Circuit	70 km	1’100 hm	4.5 h	Challenging
5. Glaubenberg circular tour	85 km	1’400 hm	5.5 h	Very challenging

Tour 1: Lucerne–Küssnacht lakeside path (beginners)

Route: Lucerne KKL → Swiss Museum of Transport → Meggen → Küssnacht am Rigi → return

• Highlights: Panoramic views of Lake Lucerne, Hohle Gasse, lakeside
• Stop-off option: Restaurant Adler in Küssnacht (fish specialities)
• Traffic: mainly cycle paths, hardly any motor traffic
• Battery consumption: ~10 Wh/km × 25 km = 250 Wh

Tour 2: Emmental excursion

Route: Lucerne → Malters → Werthenstein → Willisau → Sursee → return via the Seebahn (or cycle the whole way)

• Highlights: Rolling hills, cheese dairies in Willisau
• Optional stop: Kambly factory shop in Trubschachen (10 km detour)
• Surface: Tarmac + easily navigable nature trails
• Battery consumption: ~14 Wh/km × 55 km = 770 Wh → Recharging break recommended

Tour 3: Rigi Circuit (Classic)

Route: Lucerne → Vitznau → Gersau → Brunnen → Schwyz → Küssnacht → Lucerne

• Highlights: Complete circuit of Lake Lucerne, views of the Rigi
• Stop-off option: Waldstätterhof Brunnen (terrace with lake views)
• Special feature: Some gradients of up to 8% (you’ll really feel the motor!)
• Battery consumption: ~15 Wh/km × 65 km = 975 Wh → large battery essential

Tour 4: Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere

Route: Lucerne → Schüpfheim → Sörenberg → Marbachegg → Escholzmatt → return

• Highlights: Moorland, Alpine panoramas, little traffic
• Optional stop: Berggasthaus Sörenberg (mountain cheese fondue)
• Please note: The weather can change quickly – a rain jacket is essential
• B Battery consumption:B ~17 Wh/km × 70 km = 1,190 Wh → second battery or charging break

Tour 5: Glaubenberg circular tour (king’s stage)

Route: Lucerne → Sarnen → Glaubenberg Pass → Entlebuch → Wolhusen → Lucerne

• Highlights: 1,543 m pass summit, kilometre-long descent, alpine views
• Stop-off option: Berghaus Langis at the pass summit
• Fitness level: good; strenuous even with motor assistance
• Battery consumption: 18 Wh/km × 85 km = 1,530 Wh → second battery essential

Equipment for e-bike tours

• Spare battery (for tours 4 & 5)
• Rain jacket + wind vest
• Puncture repair kit (spare inner tube, multi-tool, pump)
• 1.5 L water + energy bars
• First-aid kit
• Cash for small mountain inns
• Mobile phone with offline maps (Komoot, SchweizMobil)

App tips for route planning

• SchweizMobil – official cycle and walking routes
• Komoot – custom route planning, elevation profile
• Bosch eBike Flow – real-time battery range
• MeteoSwiss – plan for the weather

Safety advice for e-bike tours

• E-bikes are usually prohibited on hiking trails – follow the signposts
• Blue signposts = cycling, yellow = hiking
• Mountain routes: check your brakes beforehand, ride down slowly
• Ride in convoys of two only (StVO)

FAQ

Can I charge my e-bike whilst out and about?

Yes, many mountain inns provide a power socket (often for a small fee). Allow 2–3 hours for an 80% charge.

Are all routes suitable for e-bikes?

No. E-bikes are motorised bicycles – cycle paths marked with an additional sign saying ‘Mopeds prohibited’ are off-limits.

Can I take my e-bike on the cog railway?

Yes, with a cycle ticket. Rigi Bahnen and Pilatusbahn transport e-bikes for an additional charge.

What should I do if I break down in a mountainous area?

SBB replacement transport, PostBus (bikes can be taken on board), or a bike rescue service (CHF 150–300).

Which tour is suitable for beginners?

Tour 1 (Küssnacht) – flat, safe, always close to civilisation.

E-bikes with plenty of (touring) power