Cycling in Switzerland
24 spots written up in Switzerland, across every type of ride.
Albulapass: Graubünden's balcony climb above the UNESCO railway
Climbing Albulapass from Tiefencastel: 22.5 km, 1,360 m of elevation gain, 6.1% average to 2,312 m — an ascent running alongside the UNESCO-listed Albula railway line.
Col de la Forclaz (Valais): the Swiss gateway to Chamonix
Climbing Col de la Forclaz from Martigny: 13 km, over 1,000 m of elevation gain, 7.9% average — a sustained Alpine pass seen in the Tour de France.
Col du Pillon: the long Vaud climb to Glacier 3000
Climbing Col du Pillon from Aigle: 23.4 km, 1,136 m of elevation gain, 4.8% average — a Tour de Suisse classic at the foot of Glacier 3000.
Cycling the Nufenenpass from Ulrichen: one of Switzerland's highest paved passes
Climb the Nufenenpass from Ulrichen: 13.7 km at 8.3% average up to 2,478 m, between the Valais and Ticino.
Flüelapass: Graubünden's wild valley from Davos
Climbing the Flüelapass from Davos: 12.8 km, 824 m of elevation gain, 6.4% average — a steady climb through an unspoilt Graubünden valley.
Gravel riding in the Engadin, between lakes and larch forests
Gravel riding in the Upper Engadin from St. Moritz: valley-floor tracks between lakes and larch forests, distance and practical tips.
Great St Bernard Pass: one of the oldest alpine crossings, from Bourg-Saint-Pierre
Climbing the Great St Bernard Pass from Bourg-Saint-Pierre: 12.4 km, 850 m of elevation gain, 6.9% average — a pass crossed since Roman times.
SwitzerlandJulierpass: the Roman road across the Grisons high plateau
Climbing Julierpass from Tiefencastel: 35.7 km, around 1,500 m of elevation gain, 4.2% average to 2,284 m — an ancient crossing linking the Engadin to central Graubünden.
Klausenpass: the great crossing between Uri and Glarus
Climbing the Klausenpass from Linthal: profile, the historic hillclimb race, difficulty and practical tips for this Swiss pass.
Lavaux and the shores of Lake Geneva by bike with kids
A family bike ride between Cully and Montreux, along Lake Geneva: flat cycle path, Lavaux's terraced vineyards, practical tips.
Maloja Pass: the dizzying hairpins into the Engadine
Climbing the Maloja Pass from Casaccia: about ten tight hairpins in under 5 km to reach the Engadine and the Bregaglia valley.
Mountain biking at Flims Laax, the great Graubünden bike park
MTB guide to Flims Laax in Graubünden: a gondola-served bike park with trails for all levels, practical tips for a ride in the Surselva.
Mountain biking at Verbier, the 4 Vallées alpine resort
MTB guide to Verbier in Valais: a gondola-served bike park with trails for all levels, practical tips for a ride in the 4 Vallées.
Oberalppass: the Glacier Express route between Andermatt and Sedrun
Climbing Oberalppass from Andermatt: 10 km, 610 m of elevation gain, a steady ascent running alongside the Glacier Express railway.
Passo del Lucomagno: the long, steady crossing between Ticino and Graubünden
Climbing the Passo del Lucomagno from Olivone: 17.6 km, 932 m of elevation gain, 5.3% average — a steady Alpine pass between Ticino and Graubünden.
Passo del San Bernardino: the great pass of Graubünden
Climbing the Passo del San Bernardino from Lostallo: long, steady profile, difficulty and practical tips for this Swiss pass.
Passo della Furka: the alpine pass above the Rhône Glacier
Climbing the Passo della Furka from Gletsch: profile, views over the Rhône Glacier, difficulty and practical tips for this Swiss pass.
Simplonpass: the great historic route between Valais and Piedmont from Brig
Climbing the Simplonpass from Brig: 20.8 km, 1,331 m of elevation gain, 6.4% average — one of the great historic passes between Switzerland and Italy.
Splügen Pass: the historic hairpin-laced border between Switzerland and Italy
Climbing the Splügen Pass from the village of Splügen: 8.8 km at 7.4% average, a historic Graubünden pass at 2,115 m altitude, on the doorstep of Italy.
The Gotthard via the Tremola: the historic cobbled road
Climbing the Gotthard Pass via the Tremola from Airolo: profile, the historic cobbled road's 24 hairpins, difficulty and tips.
The Grimselpass, between dams and the Rhône glacier
Climbing the Grimselpass from Innertkirchen, in the Bernese Oberland: profile, hydroelectric dams, difficulty and practical tips.
The Lake Biel loop by bike with kids
A family bike loop around Lake Biel, between Bern and Neuchâtel: flat cycle path, terraced vineyards, practical tips.
The Sustenpass, between a glacier and a road carved into rock
Climbing the Sustenpass from Wassen, in central Switzerland: profile, views of the Stein Glacier, difficulty and tips for this classic Alpine pass.
Umbrail Pass: Switzerland's highest paved pass, from Santa Maria Val Müstair
Climbing the Umbrail Pass from Santa Maria Val Müstair: 13.4 km, 1,126 m of elevation gain, 8.4% average — Switzerland's highest paved road pass.