Old Tremola Road, Gotthardpass, Switzerland

SWISS Alps CYCLING TourS

Explore Alpine climbs, old gravel tracks, and immaculate cobbles near Andermatt.

All around on our Swiss Alps cycling tour, there seemed to be perfection: perfect, lush grass, every blade greener than the next; perfect, happy cows, their tinkling bells singing mountain carols; perfectly jagged mountains, a light dusting of snow creating high contrast in the golden morning light.

And as we approached the Tremola, we caught our first glimpse of its perfect, precise cobblestones—like a carpet of stones.

Perfect, precise—these are not words that would normally be used to describe cobblestones. But in Switzerland, the cobbles are immaculate. And when you consider that these rocks have been resting high above the valley floor for nearly 100 years, this 5-kilometer stretch of Gotthardpass doesn’t seem entirely real. But for 24 glorious switchbacks, the road is a snaking sliver of man’s creation among the wilds of the Alps.

Yet Switzerland, for all its precision and perfection, is also filled with the rugged and remote, the dirt climbs and the forested tracks. High above the valley, off the beaten path, Switzerland’s reputation for exactness falls away and you’re left with a craggy mountainscape ripe for exploration.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SWISS ALPS BIKE TOUR

There are few places so pristine, so picturesque. Switzerland could be described as a dreamscape for cycling, trail running, and anything else that involves being outside in nature.

From the majestic mountains to the immaculate craftsmanship of the buildings and roads and bridges; from the perfect window boxes filled with geraniums to the crisp red Swiss flags fluttering on nearly every house, this country exudes attractiveness.

Here is a sampling of what we will explore:

  • Sinuous road climbs like Furkapass, Nufenenpass, Grimselpass, and more
  • Dirt roads to hidden lakes high in the Alps
  • The one-of-a-kind cobbles of Gotthardpass (2,091 meters)
  • For groups interested in venturing even further afield, a day trip to the stunning Lago di Naret or the serpentine Splügenpass can be arranged.
  • This trip can be tailored to include more road riding, more gravel riding, or an even mixture of both.
  • A final itinerary will be created with input from you and/or your group.

Start daydreaming

Chocolate, cowbells, immaculate cobbles, and alpine gravel.

What’s Included, Pricing, & Dates

  • Customize your trip to include 7-10 days of finely crafted, expertly guided rides over everything from silky pavement to the prettiest cobbles you’ve ever seen (note your preferences in the application)
  • 6-9 nights accommodation near Andermatt
  • PRICE: Because Alter’s tours are always customized, pricing takes a conversation. However, for a 7-day tour, expect the cost to start around $4,000 per person.
  • Once you’ve submitted an application, Alter will be in touch to discuss ideas and options that fit you (and/or your group), before preparing a formal proposal with final pricing and itinerary.
  • DATES: June, July, and September dates available upon request
Cobblestones on Gotthardpass in Switzerland

What’s Not Included

  • Flights to and from the destination
  • Transfers between airport and lodging
  • Unless otherwise specified, groups will decide among themselves where and when they would like to dine, and Alter is very happy to make recommendations or reservations.
  • Our local knowledge means you’ll always have a partner to help you find the perfect café stop, bike shop for gear or repairs, and restaurants throughout your stay.

Important Things to Note

  • This trip can be tailored to your desires—road, gravel, or both. Obviously this influences the bike you bring. A gravel/all-road bike or a road bike fitted with 28mm tires would be a great choice if you wanted to do a bit of everything. Depending on the final itinerary, you may want up to 38mm fast-rolling gravel tires.
  • Be equipped with a large range of gears, whether 50/34-tooth chainrings and an 11-30+ cassette, or a single-ring setup with at least a 1:1 low gear.
  • Tours are limited to 5 guests unless special arrangements have been made.
  • Read our FAQs for more information on Alter trips.
  • Read our Terms & Conditions for more information on our payment and cancellation policies.
Cover image by Patryk Hejduk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Let the Transformation begin

Ready to book? Have more questions?

Mountains of Switzerland