You’ll be met in Bergamo and transferred to your hotel where your bikes will be prepped and fitted to you before we set out for a short ride around the beautiful old town. Enjoy a healthy dinner and fuel up for the challenges that lay ahead.
Night in Bergamo
It is time to conquer your first pass which might be less famous than some but with its 1560 mt climb is a taste of things to come: Passo San Marco (1985m, 18 with 1560m+). A well-deserved decent take you along some stunning Alpine lakes before you reach the town of Chiavenna, where we will spend the night.
122km with 2450m+
Night in Chiavenna
After breakfast leave Chiavenna to tackle the epic Splügen Pass (2113m) and its famous hairpin bends which are a feat of engineering. At the top is a beautiful lake and you’ll be in Switzerland. Your second big climb will up to the San Bernardino Pass (2066) and the stunning views of the surrounding moon-shaped lakes. Following a long sweeping descent, the night is spent in Bellinzona.
116km with 2700m+
Night in Bellinzona
You’ll have a leisurely ride to start the day, cycling through alpine villages scattered alongside a river. Things will soon heat up as today you’ll face two big passes: Lucomagno Pass, which separates Italian speaking Switzerland from the German side (1916m) and then the Oberalp Pass (2044m). Keep an eye out for the goats that like to sleep on the road!
You’ll spend the next two nights in Andermatt. If you’re not completed exhausted, take a stroll through this charming and historic Swiss village.
114km with 2950m+
Night in Andermatt
Today you have the option to sit out and enjoy Andermatt but how often will you have the change of completing one of the world’s greatest cycling challenges? First we head up to the Furkapass (2431m), along the road where James Bond rode his Aston Martin in Goldfinger, then after a long descent we turn left and head up the fantastic Nufenen Pass (2478m). Our final challenge will be the San Gothard (2108m), via the Roman Tremola road which is well-known for its last 7km on cobbles. On a clear day this is without a doubt one of the world’s greatest cycling loops.
105km with 3210m+
Night in Andermatt
Thrill seekers will love this outing thanks to a 30km descent with sweeping bends, a clear road, smooth asphalt and beautiful surrounding! However you will first you will have to get up to the Susten pass (2224m) which is then followed by the infamous Grosse Scheidegg climb above Grindenwald (1962m ), which is closed off to cars and ideal for cyclists that want a challenge. It’s steep but the views are breathtaking! The Eiger awaits you on the other side. The night is spent in Spiez, a small town on the banks of Lake Thun.
122km with 3070m
Night in Spiez
Another unique day lies ahead. Again we have a tough climb on roads that are only accessible by bike which takes you to the little known Gestelen pass (2165m) and its white gravel section at the top. You might be surprised to see teepee tents on your way down. At the end of the descent depending on how the legs feel you can complete your day with the “just” the climb of the Col de Pillon above Gstaad or finish with a real bang up the totally unknow, extremely tough and totally magical Col de la Pierre Moelle:
Pro: 123km with 2970m+ (Col du Pillon 1546m)
Inferno: 140km with 3400m+ (option 1 + Col de la Pierre du Moelle 1657m)
Night in Montreux
Relax and enjoy breakfast before heading back to Geneva (transfer 1h15). Alternatively, if you’ve got the time, take the lake ferry which takes you all the way to Geneva.
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