Switzerland Journey Bike Tour

Welcome to the ride of your life! Your guides will meet you in Montreux, and after a map review and a quick coffee we start our epic journey across one of Europe’s most mountainous regions. We’ll warm up on a bike path, admiring vineyard views before tackling the day’s first col. The Col de La Croix is not to be confused with France’s Col de La Croix de Fer—luckily for us, the Swiss version is 300 meters less in elevation. Next up: the Col du Pillon. You’ve already done most of the climbing, but our last 3.5 kilometers is at 9%, so get ready to power through. By the time we reach our hotel in Saanen, you’ll be aching to rest up your legs for tomorrow.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Aigle, Gstaad, Saanen
Accomplished: 50 miles / 80 km, elevation gain: 6,734 feet / 2,053 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Spitzhorn

This morning, you may want to join the sprinters while you can. It might be the last time you see them since today’s ride begins right out the door of our hotel with an average gradient of 7.8%. The Mittelberg is a classic Swiss climb—if it were in the French Alps, it would be a TDF fixture. But here in Switzerland, it remains a secret so you can climb in solitude. There’s no traffic, just the sound of clanging cowbells and your gears trying to find a bigger cog. Our ride ends with an undulating route to the Schwarzsee, where our hotel (and dinner) overlooks the lake.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Jaun, La Roche
Accomplished: 58 miles / 93 km, elevation gain: 5,733 feet / 1,748 meters
Accommodations: Hostellerie am Schwarzsee

In case the first two days weren’t interesting enough, today we’re adding a special ingredient: Swiss gravel, the smoothest you’ll ever encounter. As you pedal through the dust, you’ll come to understand why we brought you on this road—it’s mind-blowingly beautiful and completely idyllic as it slowly ascends to cycling heaven. Reach the highest point of the week on the Gurnigel Pass, then descend toward the Thunersee and enjoy our final few kilometers along Lake Thun to reach our hotel. Unwind with a swim or sip a beer while marveling at the mountains we just conquered. Tonight, we’ll make our way to town for dinner at a restaurant on the water’s edge.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Wattenwil, Thun
Accomplished: 50 miles / 80 km, elevation gain: 5,684 feet / 1,733 meters
Accommodations: Bellevue au Lac

Your legs may not feel very rested after three days of riding in the Swiss Alps, but at least they’re in mountain goat gear for the Grosse Scheidegg, considered the most beautiful climb in Switzerland. You’ll be so distracted by the gorgeous views and perfectly paved one-lane road that you’ll hardly notice the 10 kilometers at 9.1%. Aside from your own rhythm, the only sound for miles is distant, clanging cowbells—no mistaking it, you’re surely in Switzerland! Since this pass is officially closed to traffic, pure cycling bliss is guaranteed. It’s just one more short push to our hotel for the night, then time to put your feet up and relax before tomorrow’s king stage.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Interlaken, Grindelwald, Meiringen
Accomplished: 47 miles / 76 km, elevation gain: 7,964 feet / 2,428 meters
Longer Option: 95 miles / 154 km, elevation gain: 16,498 feet / 5,030 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Wetternhorn

Every journey has its king stage, and today promises to be a royal challenge with the Grimsel Pass and its unforgettable switchbacks on today’s agenda. Get into your granny gear: for the next 26 kilometers, you’ll be getting comfortable with an average gradient of 5.9%. Until the Gotthard railway was completed in 1882, this pass was the main trade route to Lombardia in Italy (and mules were the ones doing the climbing). Last but not least is the Furka Pass, with an average gradient of only 6% for 10 kilometers. You’ll arrive in Andermatt as fresh as a daisy! Enjoy a free night in Andermatt, where your guides will happily share recommendations for a hearty meal.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Meiringen, Innertkirchen, Andermatt
Accomplished: 40 miles / 64 km, elevation gain: 9,453 feet / 2,882 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Crown

It’s an easy day in the Alps ahead, with only a single pass on our to-do list. The Oberalp Pass is charmingly beautiful and not too steep; we’ll pedal through meadows and pass the Oberalpsee where 50 kilometers of magnificent downhill begin. Temper the big grin on your face with a few small bumps as we make our way into the town of Thusis. Stop for a strudel and listen to the echo of cowbells—life in Switzerland is pretty sweet. Tomorrow, we cross the border into bella Italia.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Sumvitg, Thusis
Accomplished: 60 miles / 97 km, elevation gain: 4,720 feet / 1,439 meters
Longer Option: 63 miles / 101 km, elevation gain: 6,229 feet / 1,899 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Weiss Kreuz

You’ve seen the daunting photos of a pass that resembles the Stelvio, but isn’t. It’s our pleasure to acquaint you with the pass in question: the San Bernardino. In use since the 15th century, the pass was once a popular trading route traversed by mules to intercept trade from Austria. It wasn’t until 1832 that the road was completed, enabling transit and ensuring continued trade between Switzerland and Italy. Today, it’s 7.9 kilometers of switchbacks galore with an average gradient of 6%—a walk in the park compared to what we’ve already accomplished. Descend into the Canton Grigioni through some spectacular scenery until we reach the little town of Mesocco. Pop the Prosecco—you’ve successfully crossed the Swiss Alps! Enjoy a celebratory lunch, then transfer to Lugano where you can catch a train to Como or Milan. Arrivederci!

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Splügen, San Bernardino, Mesocco
Accomplished: 48 miles / 78 km, elevation gain: 6,127 feet / 1,868 meters