Cycling around Lake Biel: A 43 km leisurely bike route

It seems we’ve really gotten into cycling around lakes lately. So this time, we set out to explore another one—Bielersee, or Lake Biel. It’s one of three lakes that, together with Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Murten, make up the region known as the “3-Seen-Land.” Yes, exactly—the Three Lakes Region. The Swiss don’t complicate their lives with complicated names. The entire route around the lake is about 43 kilometers, which is somewhat reminiscent of a marathon. But even though I like running, I’d much rather cover that distance on a bike than on foot.

Lake Biel

Lake Biel lies on the border between the cantons of Bern and Neuchâtel; it is approximately 15 km long and up to 4 km wide. The water temperature in the lake during the summer is among the most pleasant in Switzerland. The northern shore (especially around Twann and Ligerz) is one of the region’s most important wine-growing areas.

Start of the route: Nidau

You can start the loop around Lake Biel practically anywhere—it just depends on where you’re coming from. We chose to start in Nidau, specifically at the parking lot by Strandbad. You’ll find similar parking lots along the entire lake, so you can easily adjust your route and logistics. Just keep in mind that they tend to be very busy during the season and fill up quickly—it’s worth setting out early in the morning (when we returned to the car in the afternoon, there was nowhere to park, and the peak season hadn’t even started yet).

If you want to arrive by train, a railway line runs along the northern shore of the lake between Biel and Neuchâtel, which is useful not only for getting there but also as a “backup plan” if you or the kids find the route too long and want to shorten it. Or perhaps you’d decide to have a glass or two of wine at one of the many local wine cellars and not continue on by bike for safety reasons.

Along the southern shore of the lake

From Nidau, we set off along the southern shore of the lake—across the bridge over the Nidau-Büren Canal and on along the water’s edge. This section is perfect for getting started. It’s flat, easygoing, offers views of the lake, and, best of all, is full of campgrounds, such as those in Sutz-Lattrigen or Gerolfingen.

Hagneck Hydroelectric Power Plant

Lake Biel plays an important role in regulating water levels throughout the region—it’s connected to the Aare River, which flows through it. That’s why the Hagneck hydroelectric power plant is an interesting stop. They even have a visitor center here—I saw two buses parked there, so I immediately made a mental note for a possible sightseeing trip. Near the power plant, there are information boards explaining how and when the plant was built, and there’s even an “educational corner” about the fish and other inhabitants of the lake. And as a bonus, you can ride across the dam. From there, you continue on to Lüscherz along a pleasant path alongside the forest; from Lüscherz to Erlach, a bike path runs alongside the main road.

Erlach

Erlach is a historic village in the canton of Bern, situated directly on the western shore of Lake Biel. In 2015, it was named one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. Its dominant feature is the 11th-century castle, visible from afar, which towers over the well-preserved old town. You can take a stroll through the historic center, or spice up your route with a short detour to St. Petersinsel, which is technically a peninsula made famous primarily by the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau during his stay there in 1765. The highlight of the area is the historic grounds of a former monastery, which currently serves as a stylish hotel and restaurant surrounded by vineyards and a nature reserve.

And if you’re one of those who “collect” Grand Tour of Switzerland photo frames, get ready—you’ve got about another kilometer uphill through the woods ahead of you. It’s a short detour, but the view is worth it.

Le Landeron

From Erlach, we continued on toward Le Landeron. This little town—already in the canton of Neuchâtel—literally took my breath away with the picturesque charm of its old town. How is it that it is known as one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in the country, and I hadn’t heard of it until now? The old town, which we drove through, has a unique layout consisting of a single wide central street (square), enclosed on both sides by fortified gates.

La Neuveville

A few kilometers later, we arrived in La Neuveville, where we stopped for lunch. Pizzeria Mami, right in the center, was a good choice. La Neuveville also has a beautiful beach and even a fire pit—perfect if you want to have a picnic. Then we continued along the northern shore of the lake.

Along the northern shore of the lake

We then continued along the northern side of the lake. Between Ligerz and Twann, the route follows the road. There were roadworks underway, and traffic was being controlled by traffic lights, so definitely proceed with caution here. In Twann, near the train station, we hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to continue along the main road or ride along the lake. A kind man advised us not to take the road because of the heavy traffic; instead, he suggested we go under the railroad tracks and then join the path around the lake. However, this path is also a hiking trail and quite narrow in places, so please be considerate and ride carefully. After 40 kilometers, Biel was already in sight, and we comfortably returned to our starting point.

Summary and Practical Tips

The loop around Lake Biel is approximately 43 kilometers long
Thanks to the flat terrain, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it even with kids—especially since you can shorten the route at any time and hop on a train.
During our ride, we even met parents with small children in bike seats. What I would consider, however, is a bike trailer (such as a Croozer), because the section from Twann to Biel around the lake was very narrow (something like a concrete footbridge; there’s no real way to get out of the way there). If you wanted to avoid this section, you’d have to take a busier road (albeit one with a bike lane), and that’s not exactly comfortable.
In the summer, definitely don’t forget your swimsuit. There are so many places to stop for a swim along the way that it would be a shame not to take advantage of them.