Ride the Vertical Coffee Backyard
A fantastic way to explore the Vertical Coffee Backyard is to get on your bike and ride one of our routes. They follow mainly quiet secondary roads and include a fair amount of climbing. We are in the Swiss Midlands here, so the climbs are never really long and even the highest points rarely see any snow in winter. Perfect hilly and punchy terrain for year-round riding. Unless specifically mentioned, the routes are on paved roads and if there should be any gravel, it is easily rideable on road bike tyres.
The routes are tried and tested by us as well as the riders of the Vertical Brevet and the Vertical Brevet Discovery Rides. Feel free to download the GPX files (simply click on the black buttons), ride the routes and say hi if you spot us!
You can also follow us on Komoot and check out more routes - simply hit the button below.
SAGENWALD GRAVEL
This fairly tame loop takes you through a fairy wonderland of a forest. You’ll find moss-covered grounds left and right while you tackle a few technical single trails. There is a local lore-themed stretch of a few kilometres giving you the opportunity to discover some things you didn’t know about the region. Look for the witch’s broom and take a ride!
This route was part of the Gravel Discovery Ride in 2024.
LINDENBERG GRAVEL
The Lindenberg is our local southern ridge and it offers an array of fantastic gravel roads. This loop consists of one long climb and an ever so sweet descent with great views of the Central Swiss Prealps.
This route was part of the Gravel Discovery Ride in 2024.
FRIEDLISBERG GRAVEL
Heading north towards the more densely populated outskirts of Zurich, you’d never guess you’re close to civilisation. The gravel roads are pristine but you’ll need to tackle one longer more technical section.
This route was part of the Gravel Discovery Ride in 2024.
LINDENBERG LOOP
This short loop on the Lindenberg will take you through Muri, the hub of the Freiamt and up to the Buttwil airstrip before the sweet descent back into the Reuss Valley.
This route was part of the 100km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
MÜLIBERG LOOP
Heading out east, this loop takes you through the dreamy Jonental up to Hedingen to the Müliberg before descending through some small villages and hamlets and returning to the Vertical HQ.
This route was part of the 100km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
HASENBERG LOOP
We suggest you ride this loop on the weekend (or public holiday) as it leads through the Reppischtal Military Zone which is closed on weekdays. After the steep climb up to the Hasenberg you can enjoy the views towards the Limmat valley from the wooden tower and the Reuss valley on the descent through Bellikon.
This route was part of the 100km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
HEITERSBERG LOOP
This loop heads out towards the more densely populated outskirts of Zurich. That doesn't mean that you'll be riding through the concrete jungle though: it is more like a journey along the fine line between the idyll (or stark contrast) of rural farmlands and the different shades of grey from shopping malls, high-rise apartment buildings and highways.
The first part leads through military training grounds (Waffenplatz Reppischtal) which are open to the general public on weekends. If you are planning to ride this route, please note that on weekdays the roads through the training grounds are closed.
This route was part of the 2022 Vertical Brevet.
ALBIS LOOP
Set between the busy hubs of Zurich and Zug, you’ll quickly forget where you are when riding this route. Enjoy the views of lake Zug, Rigi and Pilatus.
This route was part of the 2022 Vertical Brevet.
BALDEGGERSEE LOOP
The name of this route may be a bit deceptive - it is by no means a flat loop around a lake. It crosses the Lindenberg via Horben and dives down into the Seetal valley and loops around the Baldegger Lake on the adjacent hill. A landmark nearby is the legendary Beromünster Radio Tower - in use during the Second World War and later the Cold War as an information lifeline.
This route was part of the 2022 Vertical Brevet.
HALLWILERSEE LOOP
This loop crosses the Seetal and heads into the Wyna Valley, once well-known for the many small cigar manufacturers at the turn of the century until the Second World War. The region was even called "Stumpenland" (cigar country) back in the day.
After climbing the "Mur de Leutwil", you will be treated with excellent views of Lake Hallwil and pass through Dürrenäsch, which in the 1950ies used to host hundreds of homesick Swiss Expats on homeleave. The last remnant of this era is the "Auslandschweizer Haus" you'll ride past.
This route was part of the 2022 Vertical Brevet.
HEITERSBERG REVISITED
The Heitersberg revisited! Just before heading to grey suburbia and shopping malls, this route swings left through the sometimes forgotten old town of Spreitenbach where the road winds up this classic climb.
After some technical descending we head over the river Reuss and check out what’s in store on the other side of the valley. As a wonderful bonus, the route passes through the beautiful old town and cobbled streets of Bremgarten.
This route was part of the 150km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
HORBEN LOOP
Horben is not only a pensioner’s lunch destination, it is also a punchy climb that has featured in the Tour de Suisse. We won’t take the main pull up though but the road less traveled: first up to the chicken farm of Wiggwil (10 points to you if you can spot the turkey) and then the quiet switchbacks up to the top.
This route was part of the 150km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
NIESENBERG LOOP
A short and sweet loop but don’t be deceived: will you keep your spirits high when the road kicks up a last time from Höllstrasse (Hell-Street)?
This route was part of the 150km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
HERLISBERG LOOP
After crossing the Lindenberg and the Seetal valley, you’ll climb the lower slope of the Blosenberg, of course renowned for it’s radio tower, also known as the Landessender Beromünster. Upon approaching Muri, you’ll be in for a small surprise… but you can reward yourself with some tasty gelato: In Muri, just turn left when you see the big monastery, there’s locally crafted ice cream just opposite!
This loop was featured in the 200km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
RÜTIHOF LOOP
The Rütihof is not exactly around the corner - you’ve got to bag the Lindenberg and the little nasty kicker that is the Schürberg to get over until you’ve reached its foot and can see what it’s all about: a beautiful and quiet plateau with farms, stables and some small culinary getaways. Of course, on your way back it’s over the hills again: Wandfluh, Rügel and Lindenberg again! Yay!
This loop featured in the 200km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
ISLISBERG LOOP
Starting off with an easyish ride towards lake Zug, you’ll start climbing properly when the road kicks up towards Oberalbis. This is one of the hidden gems of the region! The sweeping descent is fast and basically leads you into the uphill at Aeugsterberg where you can catch a sweet view of the Säuliamt. After a very quiet valley road there’s only one climb left: Islisberg starts rather friendly but kicks up towards the top!
This loop was ridden as part of the 200km Vertical Brevet Discovery Ride 2023.
WANNENHOF LOOP
This loop takes you out to the Rütihof which offers an array of climbs of which you will tackle more than one. There are a few gravelly sections in this route - they are however all on flat sections and of the smooth/fine kind so no extra skill required.
Ridden in the Vertical Brevet 2023.
RÜSLER LOOP
Hovering over the Limmat and Reuss valleys, Rüsler is a quick getaway for city dwellers and suburbanites. Ride this loop early in the morning and you will be treated to nice views of the foggy banks along the rivers and lots of sky.
This loop was ridden as part of the Vertical Brevet 2023.
GUGGIBAD LOOP
No Brevet without the infamous double track! That may be the highlight of the loop (you can enjoy a Snickers bar at the top - there is a bench) but there are several things to look forward to: Chickens at Wiggwil, Lamas at Lieli, Ponies at Hämikon and Ostriches at Müswangen.
This loop was part of the Vertical Brevet 2023.
OBERALBIS LOOP
Ever heard of the Free Republic of Sihlbrugg? Well, look out for the sign and learn that Sihlbrugg is more than two roundabouts, a McDonalds and a few petrol stations. There are some truly magnificent and quiet roads and you’ll get to know them on this loop.
This was part of the Vertical Brevet 2023.