Swiss Harley Days 2024 – tour report

For the first time I made my way to Switzerland to the Swiss Harley Days in Lugano. So that I didn't just go to Switzerland, I met up with two friends in Frankfurt to drive together towards the Black Forest.

The journey from the far north is usually a little longer, but I still managed to reach the boys in Frankfurt in the morning. The plan was to have breakfast together before we continued the journey across the Black Forest towards Swiss Harley Days in Lugano.

We have a plan!

How could it be otherwise, the good Peter turned on the tap just in time for the start and made it clear to us that it was going to be more than just a shower. Our plan was as follows: We would head towards the Black Forest, where we would spend a night in the Sonnenhof-Sonnhalde wellness hotel and then drive on together to Lugano to the Swiss Harley Days the next morning.

The first drama

The first drama begins as soon as Mihau opens his garage to take out his sparkling clean Low Rider S 117. His Low Rider S is really a very nice thing. If he wants to go for a ride, it has to be allowed to get wet and dirty, because the weather is really very poor.

The route is the goal

Sure, after a short ride it was just as dirty as Jörg's Ultra Limited, who had also traveled several hundred kilometers from his last stage stop. He had already started in Rostock the day before, but had already had really bad weather on his tour, which made him decide not to take part in the game and book himself into a hotel so he could continue the next day. Now the three of us are on the move and are already looking forward to our first evening at the bar.

As the saying goes: “The journey is the destination” . What this actually means is how valuable the experiences are on the way to a goal. Sometimes they are even more valuable than the goal itself. In our case, we are happy for every kilometer that we are closer to our first goal.

Through rain and the Black Forest

First we took the motorway through Baden-Württemberg towards the Bavarian Forest. We drove via Freiburg, along the Black Forest Road, past Schluchsee towards Ühlingen-Birkendorf. Once we got off the highway, the rain let up and we were at least able to enjoy the tour on the Black Forest Road a little. When we reached our accommodation, we were all happy, even if we unfortunately didn't have really nice biker weather.

A very nice accommodation was waiting for us, the good Jörg had found it in advance. A main building where the comfort rooms are and the restaurant is in another building on the street. We have the following recommendation: The comfort rooms with a small surcharge are definitely worth it. There is a carport for bikes right next to the main building, or you can park in the motorcyclist-friendly hotel, also under the canopy at the entrance. This means you have the shortest route to the Harley, which is always a very important point.

From the rain to the sun

The next morning greeted us with a rain shower. After the first ten kilometers, the sun surprisingly appeared. The mood suddenly rose into the green zone. Our journey was leisurely overland and we stopped at beautiful places, such as Lake Zug in Arth, which is on the E41. Anyone who knows the route certainly knows that it is a very nice route for cruising.

Arrival in Andermatt

Our first destination was Andermatt, where we checked into the Radisson Blu for one night. The hotel's courtyard, Piazza Gottardo, was the Harley-Davidson Zone tonight. Great atmosphere, many bikers from Europe came to listen to the live music and get plenty of supplies at the stands. This is where the pre-glow of the Swiss Harley Days began.

Andermatt Freedom Ride

The next morning it was time to line up for the “Andermatt Freedom Ride” . Together we drove in five groups over the Gotthard Pass to Lugano. This was the first “Ride In” for Harley-Davidson’s Swiss Harley Days and my first ride over the Gotthard Pass. It was the start of the Swiss Harley Days 2024, which take place every two years in Lugano on the beautiful Lake Lugano.

We drove in groups over the Gotthard Pass, which was a new experience for me as I had never been here before. There are of course many other beautiful passes in the region that are less developed and that you can also drive on, but the most famous is certainly the Gotthard Pass. When we arrived in Lugano, we all gathered together and then went to the event in the city with police escort.

I was surprised at how centrally located everything was and what Harley-Davidson had done. The big stage on which the bands play can no longer be found at Lake Faaker See, but here it is in the middle of the old town. It's always something special for musicians to be able to play on a big stage in front of Harley-Davidson bikes. This not only ensures great pictures, but also creates an atmospheric overall picture for everyone involved.

The stands are set up along the lake and Harley-Davidson has set up an expo area with the new models. It goes without saying that guided test drives are a must here. The event is not too big, but offers a lot because the local gastronomy is integrated into the event. Care was taken to ensure that no stands were set up in front of the restaurants, but rather included them.

A big thing is the location right on the lake, and if you don't just want to spend your time at the event, you can explore the surrounding area. I'll work something out on this in the future if you want to be there in two years. The Swiss Harley Days only happen every two years, and I heard they are planning something small in the mountains for 2025. You will receive all further information in good time as soon as more is known.

On Sunday my buddies Jörg and Mihau, with whom I drove across the Black Forest to the Swiss Harley Days, also parted ways. We all drove back in different directions, and I had to go back north, where Holstein Switzerland is. A Swiss person can't do anything if I tell someone from Switzerland where I live.

In any case, I've decided to go to the Swiss Harley Days again in two years and then explore the area a little more. See you!!!

Text and image credit: Harleysite