The idea for this first bikepacking trip was to ride from my house all the way to Turtmann in the Swiss Alps in just 3 days. Then I was planning to meet up with some friends to climb a 3000+ meter peak. The route looked cool in terms of landscapes and vibes, starting with the Jura mountains, then Lake Geneva, and finally the Valais region in Switzerland, right in between the alpine peaks.

Day 1

I set off around 8 am on Wednesday. It was pretty cold and foggy, and I was just hoping I hadn’t forgotten anything. As I climbed, I came out above the fog and saw this beautiful sea of clouds over the Val-d’Ajol. The day started off pretty intense, with a lot of elevation gain all the way up to the 1000 Etangs area in the southern Vosges.

Around 3:30 p.m., I decided to stop at the first campsite I’d marked in Clerval. It felt a bit early, but my plan B would’ve had me arriving right at sunset, and I still needed to dial in my camping setup properly. The campsite was almost empty this time of year. I grabbed a small spot with a view of the castle — pretty cool vibe!

Day 2

This day is definitely the toughest of the three, crossing the Jura mountains, and the elevation gain is no joke! My goal is to make it north of Lausanne by the end of the day so I can wild camp. I start early in the morning, but it’s my first time repacking everything on the bike, so it takes me a bit longer than expected, I finally roll out around 8:30 am.

I’m hitting constant rollercoaster climbs and descents with my 30 kg bike. I ride through Landresse, a small village where my uncle Sam lives. Around midday, I reach a cycle path built on an old railway line called “Le Chemin du Train.” I take a quick lunch break before starting a long false flat downhill toward Pontarlier.

I ride straight through Pontarlier and reach the last climbs of the day heading toward the Swiss border. For a few kilometers, the road is super busy, not the most fun but soon after the Château de Joux, I get onto a quiet backroad that’s way more enjoyable and leads me to a small border crossing I’d never used before.

I’m in Switzerland! One last climb to go before a big descent that drops down to the plateau north of Lake Geneva. The small road is stunning and pretty much car-free. Then the long downhill starts, I can see Lake Neuchâtel in the distance and I roll into the little village of Baulmes, which looks incredible with the autumn colors.

I stop in Chavornay to grab some food at the Coop. I was so hungry I didn’t even think about how expensive everything is here in the expensive CHF… I keep riding until sunset to find a bivouac spot. I get to the Echallens forest just in time, but the access path is closed because there’s apparently a long-distance shooting range nearby. So I have to take a detour and end up arriving in the forest after dark, a bit scary, but I find a perfect little gazebo to eat in and pitch my tent next to it.

I eat fast but a lot, then rush into my tent as a few runners pass by. I’ll try to leave early tomorrow so I don’t draw too much attention.

Day 3

This third and final day should take me all the way to the last campsite in the Alps. It’s the longest day in terms of distance, but with the least elevation gain, so it should be pretty manageable. I start early, pack up while it’s still dark, have breakfast as usual, my classic hot chocolate made with Régilait and Banania, and I roll out with the first light.

The weather’s cloudy as I reach Lausanne. Traffic flows smoothly, and I’m basically just descending into the city. It’s my first time riding a bike here, and it really makes me realize how insanely steep this city is, thankfully I’m going in the good direction! I finally reach the shore of Lake Geneva, at the port. You can barely make out the French side across the lake because of the haze.

Riding along the lake is stunning. The winemakers are out working on these steep vineyards, they even have little mini trains to help haul everything up and down. After Montreux, I leave the main road and take the pedestrian path right along the lakeside, passing by Chillon Castle, super scenic… and super touristy haha.

Then I’m finally facing the Rhône Valley, and I follow the river along the cycle path all the way toward my destination. The sky clears up. It’s sunny here, maybe some kind of microclimate thanks to the surrounding mountains.

Eventually, I get close to my endpoint, but my GPS and the campsites trick me a bit, sending me on extra climbs, descents, and pointless back-and-forths. But I finally make it to the final campsite, near Sierre ! End of this first bikepacking trip !