Switzerland impresses with an incredible variety of sights. Discover glaciers, mountains, rivers, and impressive buildings. Or explore museums and institutions that represent the identity of the Swiss country. And enjoy nature at its best on your bicycle.
Whether it’s a gravel bike, road bike or mountain bike, Switzerland offers more than 12,000 kilometres of signposted routes lead through beautiful landscapes. Discover the different routes and charming accommodations for an unforgettable cycling holiday.
Gravel biking in Switzerland offers diverse terrain, combining forest paths, alpine roads, and unpaved surfaces. The country’s topography features majestic mountains, deep valleys, and numerous lakes, providing varied backdrops for rides. Routes often include sections with challenging steep grades and chunky gravel, alongside smoother tracks. This allows for exploration across a mix of landscapes, from urban fringes to high alpine environments.
Cycle around the famous Gotthard Pass. Even the Romans bypassed this massive mountain. It was not until around 1200 that the development of the pass took off, with the opening up of the Schöllenen Gorge between Gösschenen and Andermatt. Today, the Gotthard Pass is the most important north-south connection – the pass is crossed by bon vivants and interested parties. A long and challenging ride around the Gotthard, Furka and Nufenen Passes will offer you the challenge you were after.
The ride over the cobbled Tremola on the south side of the Gotthard Pass, which leads from the pass height to Airolo is breathtaking. It features long hairpin bends and is known as the longest monument in Switzerland.
Hard road/gravel ride: Gotthard, Furka and Nufenen Passes – 107 km, 3.140 alt.
Maplibre | © komoot | Map data © OpenStreetMap Contributors
The route starts in Andermatt (A) and leads to the Furka pass. The Furkapasshöhe is at 2.436 meters altitude and is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists and drivers. A very well-known photo motif offers the Belvedere in the bend at the Furka Pass. Check out the YouTube video in our earlier post: https://cyclonista.com/dt-swiss-arc-1100-spline-cs-the-lightest-way-up/.
The Novena pass, at an altitude of 2.478 metres, connects Valais with Ticino. In particular, it is the highest pass in Italian Switzerland, as well as the second highest in all of Switzerland, as it is only surpassed by the 2,503 meters of Umbrail. At the Novena pass there are the sources of the Ticino river.
The old Gotthard road through the Val Tremola, with its cobblestone hairpin bends, is a unique piece of Alpine road engineering. Be sure to take the uphill route, as the cobblestones are minimal, and you can enjoy the ride to the fullest.
Historically the San Gottardo pass was important for pilgrims who wanted to reach Rome: this, in fact, was one of the quickest passages to cross the Alps. At the summit there is the Piazza lake and the San Gottardo hospice, founded in 1237 .
More information and GPX download: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/e1763990580/gotthard-furka-and-nufenen-passes
Check out impressions of the route in the slider below:
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For more information about Switzerland, go www.myswitzerland.com
Images/video: Go Switzerland/Komoot