EPIC Trans Swiss
EPIC Trans Swiss
Part fairytale, part Alpine adventure - arguably the most scenic of all our trips
It’s really hard to match Switzerland for it’s incredible scenery, unique charm and the sheer volume of iconic and challenging climbs. An absolute must for any avid cyclist who loves to climb.
Featured Climbs
Passo Stelvio, St Gotthardpass, Grosse Scheidegg, Albulapass
Overview
Details
Next Departure
June 7th 2025
From
USD $5,895
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
USD $550
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Join us on a magnificent ride through some of the most incredible landscapes in Europe. Nowhere are the Alps more stunning than in Switzerland, and our Trans-Swiss Challenge captures the very best of the Swiss Alps.
Ride the incredible St Gotthardpass – one of the few cobbled passes in Europe – and Grosse Scheidegg – with it’s views of the famous Eiger, one of the most dramatic climbs in Europe. In addition to these 2 unique climbs, you’ll also conquer the Furkapass, Albulapass, Nufenenpass, Ofenpass, Grimselpass, and the legendary Passo Stelvio!
Few trips are blessed with such an impressive list of famous, breathtakingly beautiful – and challenging climbs!
Bill Glahn, USA — 2015
Bob Goland, USA — 2022
Itinerary
Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Bienvenue en Suisse! | Hotel Villars | |||
02 | Through the Alpes Vaudoises to Thunersee | Belvédère Strand Hotel | |||
03 | Grosse Scheidegg | Hotel Astoria Ulrichen | |||
04 | St Gotthard Pass - on cobbles! | Hotel Astoria Ulrichen | |||
05 | Furkapass | Hotel Sarain | |||
06 | Albulapass | Hotel Bären | |||
07 | The Passo Stelvio | Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi Bormio | |||
08 | Arrivederci | ||||
Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bienvenue en Suisse!
Your trip starts at Geneva Airport where our staff will be there to meet you before the transfer to your hotel in the beautiful Alpine resort of Villars-Sur-Ollon in the Swiss Vaud Alps.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in the Swiss Alps.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Through the Alpes Vaudoises to Thunersee
Today’s ride sets the tone for the week. Leaving the hotel you’ll start climbing the lower slopes of the Col du Pillon. At the summit of the Pillon, French quickly switches to German as you enter the German-speaking region of Switzerland. The ride continues with the stunning Mittelberg and Jaunpass climbs before the descent to Thunersee and the end of a sensational day of riding in the Swiss Alps.
Tip: have a coffee-stop in Gstaad, the absolute picture perfect Swiss village – and they have fantastic coffee and pastries!
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Grosse Scheidegg
Grosse Scheidegg is the highlight of today’s ride. This remarkable climb winds its way through some of the highest peaks in Europe including the famous north face of the Eiger. Ask any cyclist who’s had the good fortune to ride this climb and they will no doubt tell you that it’s in their list of Top 10 climbs in Europe – it’s that good! The fun continues after Grosse Scheidegg with the 25km (15 miles) Grimselpass, topping out at 2,200m (7,200ft).
Tip: the road to Grosse Scheidegg is closed to regular traffic from Grindenwald – but there are regular shuttle buses taking hikers to the summit. The buses can take up most of the road on the switchbacks – so just keep an eye out for them and stay well to the right if you’re on a switchback.
Day 4
Distance
Elevation
St Gotthard Pass - on cobbles!
The “spectacular” theme continues, with an amazing loop over 3 Hors-Categorie climbs. Highlight of the day is, without a doubt, the cobbled Saint Gotthardpass. Only the Swiss could maintain such perfect cobbles, painstakingly repairing the road every spring. There are 2 other roads that lead to the summit, so you can enjoy the old, cobbled road without any traffic. In addition to the Saint Gotthard you’ll also conquer the Nufenenpass and the Furkapass, both of which rise to over 2,400m (7,900ft).
Tip: the St Gotthardpass is definitely one to enjoy and take in the surrounding scenery. Climbing 13km (8 miles) on cobbles is tough, even if they are very smooth, so best not to push too hard and just enjoy the ride.
Day 5
Distance
Elevation
Furkapass
Your journey eastward across the Swiss Alps continues with this magnificent ride across the Furkapass and the Oberalppass. On the Oberalppass keep an eye out for the famous Glacier Express train which runs alongside the road, linking St Moritz and the Matterhorn. The ride ends with a sensational 25km (15 miles) stretch of single-lane road perched high above the valley
Tip: as you’re climbing the Furkapass, look off to your left for some incredible photo ops of the Grimselpass switchbacks in the distance
Day 6
Distance
Elevation
Albulapass
Today’s ride features the Albulapass, one of the top climbs in Switzerland and often included in the annual Tour de Suisse stage race. From the hotel, enjoy the first 35km through typical Swiss countryside before reaching Filisur and the start of today’s main climb, the Albulapass. The summit lies 23km up the road at 2,300m (7,500ft) so you’ll need to pace yourself for this huge HC climb. From the Albulapass, enjoy the long descent to your hotel in St Moritz.
Day 7
Distance
Elevation
The Passo Stelvio
Today’s ride doesn’t need much introduction. On the agenda is the mighty Passo Stelvio! 24 km (15 miles), 48 switchbacks and an average grade of almost 7.5%, the Stelvio is one of those climbs that every cyclist has to ride at least once in their lifetime. You’ll start the day climbing the Ofenpass from Zernez 21 Km (13 miles) which provides the perfect warm-up before tacking the Stelvio. From the Ofenpass, enjoy the long descent to Prato Allo Stelvio and the start of your final climb and the end of a wonderfully epic ride!
Tip: the Stelvio is a long and challenging climb. Make sure to pace yourself and don’t forget proper hydration and nutrition all the way up the climb.
Day 8
Distance
Elevation
Arrivederci
Unfortunately, your trip across Switzerland has come to an end.
Our shuttle will drop you off at Milan Malpensa Airport.
Map & Profile
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panex Plambuit from Ollon |
8% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
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12-15
>15
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Col du Pillon from Ormont Dessus |
8.4% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Mittelberg from Gstaad |
6.6% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Jaunpass from Jaun |
8.1% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grosse Scheidegg from Grindelwald |
8.5% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Grimselpass from Innertkirchen |
6.4% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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12-15
>15
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nufenenpass from Ulrichen |
8.1% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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St Gotthardpass from Airolo |
7.2% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
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Furkapass from Hospental |
5.5% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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>15
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Furkapass from Oberwald |
6.4% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Oberalppass from Andermatt |
5.8% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
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Obersaxen from Trun |
5.4% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
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>15
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albulapass from Filisur |
6.2% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
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>15
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Ofenpass from Zernez |
4.2% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
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Passo Stelvio from Prato allo Stelvio |
7.4% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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No major climbs today |
Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | |||||||
Jun 7 - 14 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $5,895
|
USD $950 |
USD $1,120 |
Book this trip | |
Aug 30 - Sep 6 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $5,895
|
USD $950 |
USD $1,120 |
Book this trip |
Waiting List
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Trip Hotels
Hotel Villars
Belvédère Strand Hotel
Hotel Astoria Ulrichen
Hotel Sarain
Hotel Bären
Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi Bormio
What's Included
What's Included | What's Not Included |
---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
Pickup Location | Time |
---|---|
Geneva Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport |
9:00am |
Departure
Drop Off Location | Time |
---|---|
Milan Malpensa Airport |
12:00 noon |
Rental Bikes
Specialized Aethos Expert
Frame
Aethos FACT 10r Carbon
Groupset
Di2 Shimano Ultegra
Weight
699g (size 56)
Wheels
Roval C38
Chainrings
52/36T
Cassette
11-34t (12-speed)
Sizes
49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
USD $550
View DetailsEPIC Trans Swiss
If you love to climb - Switzerland needs to be on your bucket-list