Self-Launched E-Bike Alps to Garda: St Moritz to Riva del Garda
10 days · Switzerland, Austria & Italy
Bike Planet Tours charges £2,400
No-markup version: ~£1,090 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of Bike Planet Tours' guided E-bike crossing of the Alps: start in St Moritz, ride the Engadin past the Morteratsch Glacier, cross the Reschenpass into Austria's Tyrol, then follow the Adige valley through Meran and Bolzano down to Riva del Garda on Lake Garda. Ride independently (or self-organise a small crew) on signposted bike routes, stay in guesthouses and hostels, and book e-bike rental locally. Daily rides are ~35 miles / 55 km with rolling climbs early on and mostly descents after day 4. Note: e-bike hire and some mountain sections require confidence on pedal-assist bikes — test one before you go.
Day-by-day
Arrive in St Moritz / Morteratsch — welcome to the Engadin
St Moritz & Morteratsch, Switzerland
Make your own way to the Engadin. The cheapest route from the UK is a budget flight to Zurich or Milan Bergamo, then Swiss/Italian rail to St Moritz via Chur (the Albula railway line is a UNESCO-listed scenic route, ~CHF 40-60 with a Sparbillett booked in advance). Alternatively fly to Munich and take the train across the Austrian border. Settle into a guesthouse near Morteratsch, pick up your rental e-bike for the week (book ahead with a St Moritz or Pontresina bike shop — expect ~CHF 45-70/day, weekly rates cheaper), and take an evening stroll to the Morteratsch Glacier viewpoint. Team dinner at a local grotto rather than a set welcome meal.
🚌Budget flight to Zurich/Milan + Swiss rail to St Moritz (~£60-90); local bus to Morteratsch
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Pontresina/Morteratsch (~£35-50)
- →Scenic Albula railway to St Moritz
- →E-bike pickup and fitting
- →Evening walk to Morteratsch Glacier viewpoint
Sils im Engadin loop to St Moritz
Sils / St Moritz, Switzerland
Warm-up day. Take the local PostBus or ride up to Sils im Engadin (Sils Maria), then follow the signposted Engadin cycle route back down to St Moritz along Lakes Silvaplana and St Moritz — mostly gentle descent on quiet paths. Stop for lunch by the lake. Optional afternoon cable car to Muottas Muragl (~CHF 39 return) for panoramic views, or ride the return leg back to your guesthouse. Sort out your Swiss data eSIM today and check bike battery ranges.
🚌PostBus Sils-St Moritz (~CHF 6) or ride; e-bike rental included in weekly hire
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Pontresina/Morteratsch (~£35-50)
- →Cycling Sils Maria to St Moritz via Silvaplana
- →Optional Muottas Muragl cable car
- →Lakeside lunch stop
Mountain pass day at Morteratsch Glacier
Morteratsch Glacier & Bernina area, Switzerland
A short but demanding climb day. Ride from your base up towards the Morteratsch Glacier viewing area (the cable car to the glacier viewpoint runs in season, ~CHF 20-30 return) and, if legs and battery allow, attempt the steady 12 km pass climb. If you're not feeling it, swap in the forest mountain-bike style trails or take the Rhaetian Railway back from Zuoz or Zernez — the Bernina and Engadin lines are spectacular and cheap with a day pass. Coffee at the glacier viewpoint is the day's reward.
🚌E-bike; optional Rhaetian Rail return from Zuoz/Zernez (~CHF 10-20)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Pontresina/Morteratsch (~£35-50)
- →Morteratsch Glacier cable car / viewpoint
- →Optional 12 km pass climb
- →Forest trail riding
Zernez through the Engadin villages to Nauders, Austria
Zernez to Nauders, Austria
Your first border crossing. Take the short train from Pontresina to Zernez (~CHF 9) if you want to skip the climb, then ride the Engadin route east through the beautiful old villages of Guarda, Ardez, Ftan and Scuol — cobbled lanes, sgraffito-decorated houses and a very Swiss lunch stop. Continue over the border into Austria and down to Nauders in the Tyrol. Book a guesthouse or Gasthof in Nauders (~£45-60); Austrian prices are noticeably kinder than Swiss.
🚌Rhaetian Rail Pontresina-Zernez (~CHF 9); e-bike on signposted Engadin/Inn cycle route
🛏Gasthof or guesthouse in Nauders (~£45-60)
- →Guarda and Ardez village wanders
- →Scuol old town
- →Crossing into Austria at Nauders
Reschenpass down to Schlanders (Silandro)
Nauders, Austria to Schlanders/Silandro, Italy
Ride the Reschenpass route over the border into Italy — calm, wide-open alpine roads with the famous Reschensee bell tower in the lake. From Reschen/Resia follow the well-signposted Adige (Etsch) cycle path, a largely traffic-free riverside route, all the way down to Schlanders/Silandro. This is one of Europe's great easy bike paths and mostly gently downhill. Overnight in a family-run Gasthof or guesthouse in Schlanders (~£40-55), which is excellent value for the Vinschgau valley.
🚌E-bike on the Reschenpass and Adige Cycle Path; optional Südtirol regional train backup
🛏Gasthof or guesthouse in Schlanders/Silandro (~£40-55)
- →Reschensee bell tower
- →Adige Cycle Path descent
- →Vinschgau apple orchards
Schlanders to Meran down the Adige valley
Meran/Merano, Italy
A relaxed ride south along the Etsch/Adige cycle path through orchards and castles to Meran. The full route is around 55-60 km and nearly all flat or downhill, with plenty of cafés for strudel stops. Arrive early enough to explore Meran's old town, promenades and the Terme Merano spa (day ticket ~€30 if you fancy a soak). Overnight in a budget hotel or B&B near the old town (~£45-60).
🚌E-bike on Adige Cycle Path; Südtirol regional trains run the same valley as backup
🛏Budget hotel or B&B in Meran (~£45-60)
- →Adige Cycle Path to Meran
- →Meran old town and promenades
- →Optional Terme Merano spa
Meran to Bolzano via vineyards, then on to Neumarkt
Meran – Bolzano – Neumarkt/Egna, Italy
Continue down the Adige on vineyard and orchard paths via Lana and Terlan into Bolzano. Take an hour to see Bolzano's old town and Ötzi-adjacent sights (the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology is ~€13 and worth it). Then push on south to the wine village of Neumarkt/Egna for the night — a guesthouse or agriturismo here (~£40-55) is great value and puts you in a good position for the final ride.
🚌E-bike on Adige Cycle Path; frequent regional trains Meran-Bolzano-Trento as backup
🛏Guesthouse or agriturismo in Neumarkt/Egna (~£40-55)
- →Vineyard paths through the Überetsch
- →Bolzano old town and Piazza Walther
- →Optional South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology
Descent to Riva del Garda on Lake Garda
Neumarkt/Egna to Riva del Garda, Italy
Final ride day. Hop the regional train to Trento or Mori if you want to skip the valley road, then take the local bus or ride the final stretch through the Adige gorge down to Riva del Garda at the northern tip of Lake Garda. The last kilometres are largely downhill with lake views opening up. Drop the e-bike back at your Riva rental partner (arrange a one-way return in advance, or plan to train back to pick it up). Celebrate with a lakeside dinner by the harbour — the operator's farewell dinner equivalent, at your own chosen spot (~£20-25).
🚌Regional train to Mori/Trento (~€5-8) + local bus to Riva (~€3); e-bike one-way return fee varies
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Riva del Garda (~£50-70)
- →Final descent to Lake Garda
- →Riva del Garda harbour and lakefront
- →Farewell lakeside dinner
Free day at Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda, Italy
A free day on the lake. Take a ferry to Limone sul Garda, Malcesine or Torbole (day tickets ~€15-25 depending on distance), swim off the rocks at Punta Lido, hike the short Ponale trail for views, or browse the Wednesday/weekend markets. Rent a kayak or paddleboard on the lake for a couple of hours (~€15-20). Cheap pizza and gelato by the water is the order of the day.
🚌Lake Garda ferries (~€15-25 day ticket); local buses
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Riva del Garda (~£50-70)
- →Ferry to Limone or Malcesine
- →Ponale trail walk
- →Kayak or paddleboard hire
- →Markets and lake swimming
Depart Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda, Italy
Check out and head home. The most economical exit is the local bus or train to Rovereto/Verona (~€6-10), then a budget flight from Verona or Milan Bergamo, or a train onward to Venice or Munich if you're extending. Book onward travel in advance for the best fares.
🚌Local bus/train to Rovereto or Verona (~€6-10); budget flight home from Verona/Bergamo (~£40-90)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Last lakeside breakfast
- →Departure transfers
Self-launched vs. Bike Planet Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Bike Planet Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,090 | £2,400 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,310 per person (55%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Bike Planet Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,090
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched E-Bike Alps to Garda: St Moritz to Riva del Garda cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,090 per person for 10 days in Switzerland, Austria & Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Bike Planet Tours?+
Yes — Bike Planet Tours charges around £2,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,090 — a saving of roughly £1,310 (55%) per person.
How long is the Switzerland, Austria & Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Switzerland, Austria & Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, road-trip, hiking trip through Switzerland, Austria & Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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