Planned and written by Simone Holzherr (GPX track at the bottom):

If you're looking for a challenging, sporty experience with diverse landscapes, cozy cafés, and culinary highlights, this road bike tour is just the thing. Covering almost 78 kilometers and gaining around 1,240 meters of elevation, the tour connects the Basel region with a detour into Alsace – offering everything you need for a successful day of cycling.

Route & Character

The start is in Laufen , nestled between the Jura and Baselbiet regions. Right from the start, the route climbs steadily—perfect for warming up your legs and finding your rhythm. After the first pass, the view opens up toward France, and soon you enter tranquil Leymen (FR) . Typical Alsatian villages, quiet streets, and a small "Bonjour" (hello) add to the international flair.

The route continues via Schönenbuch and Allschwil to Basel , where urban life meets the tranquility of the surrounding countryside. From here, it heads back out into the Basel region – and from this point on, you'll start gaining a fair amount of elevation. You continue along scenic roads to Liestal and finally, over the last long climb to Seewen , before the tour concludes in Laufen.

The route is varied overall, offering a good mix of flowing sections, tough climbs, and relaxed sections. With a ride time of approximately 4–5 hours , the route is aimed at experienced road cyclists looking for a challenging but not overwhelming ride.

Culinary highlights

No ride is complete without the right refreshments! This tour boasts two refreshment stops that fit perfectly into the route:

🍕 Bicicletta Café, Basel (@biciclettacafebasel)
A must-visit spot for cyclists in the heart of Basel. Here you'll find legendary pinsa – an Italian specialty, lighter and more digestible than pizza – and a relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for a longer break or simply a snack between meals.

☕ Rocket Ciclista e Barista, Liestal (@rocket_ciclista_e_barista)
A paradise for anyone who loves espresso or craves homemade cake. The stop in Liestal is a great option after the longest part of the route—just the right moment to refuel for the final climb.

Highlights along the way

• Crossing the border into France : international flair in Leymen

• Diverse landscape: from the Jura via Basel to the Basel region

• Quiet side streets with some magnificent views

• A challenging 1,240 m elevation gain – perfect for those who like to “work”

• Two culinary stops to round off the ride

Conclusion

This road bike route from Laufen via Basel and Liestal is more than just training—it's a mini-adventure. The mix of athletic challenge, scenic diversity, and culinary highlights makes it one of the most rewarding day trips in the region. Anyone who enjoys pushing boundaries (and perhaps even their own) should definitely not miss this route.

The tour can be downloaded here:
GPX file Road bike tour: Laufen – Basel – Liestal – back