Belgium, Germany, Switzerland - where to go?

[Mile195]

Not really a cycle tour, but it does involve two wheels, albeit of the motorised variety!

I'm planning to go through Belgium, into Germany, down towards Switzerland and then back up through France in August.

Does anybody have any suggestions of "must-see" places to go along this route?

Thanks all in advance!

 

[steveindenmark]

The last post at the Menin Gate in Ypres...Google it. Tyne Cot cemetary near Ypres. The Normandy landing site. Stelvio Pass, Andermatt. The auto routes in France are good, as well as cheap.

Steve

 

[Brandane]

Col de petit St. Bernard.
Lake Annecy.
Mont Blanc.

Having done Zeebrugge to Monte Carlo by motorbike, those are my recommendations. It was one of the best bike trips ever, and one I would love to repeat.

 

[byegad]

Trier the Black Gate. Like Hadrian's Wall you can stand facing the barbarians with civilisation behind you. Or Vice versa if you turn around. They also have a nice Amphitheatre and a few other Roman bits and pieces. And the run down the Moselle to Koblenz is exquisite.

 

[Teuchter]

We did Belgium (Zeebrugge) - France - Switzerland and back on the motorbike in 2006. As @steveindenmark said, Ypres is a must. We planned to spend a single afternoon there on the way through but ended up taking a few days - any less just wouldn't have done it justice.

We crossed into Switzerland over the Forclaz pass between Chamonix and Martigny but I suspect that any of the passes in that area would have equally stunning scenery and good (read twisty) roads. We camped behind the hotel at the top and following a hint from a German biker we met, hiked to the nearby glacier in the morning before setting off. Take some time to explore the smaller roads in that area instead of the main routes and if possible, chat to local bikers over a beer and a map for ideas.

If you're sailing to/from Zeebrugge, I can also recommend Bruges as an interesting town to visit. We spent out last day wandering around there before getting on the ferry.