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.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

June 10th 2023

From

USD $5,495

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $500

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!


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EPIC Trans Swiss
Challenging rides, consistently spectacular views. This was my eighth Thomson trip, and each one has been great, but this one was epic.

Bill Jewett, USA — 2021

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EPIC Trans Swiss
The Trans Swiss trip is very pretty. All the Thomson trips I have been on are so much fun; it is like going on vacation ...

Paul Moulton, USA — 2021

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EPIC Trans Swiss
For any cyclists who feels the call of the mountains, the Epic Trans Swiss trip is a must. The climbs, the vistas, the overall experience ...

Reid Orvedahl, USA — 2022

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Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenue en Suisse! Hotel Villars
02 Through the Alpes Vaudoises to Thunersee Hotel Belvédère Spiez
03 Grosse Scheidegg Hotel Astoria Ulrichen
04 St Gotthard Pass - on cobbles! Hotel Astoria Ulrichen
05 Furkapass Hotel Alte Post
06 Albulapass Hotel Bernina
07 The Passo Stelvio Hotel Baita dei Pini
08 Arrivederci
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08

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 de la Croix. The ride continues in the French-speaking part of Switzerland until the Col du Pillon where French switches over to German as we enter the German-speaking region of Switzerland. The Mittelberg and Jaunpass close off a sensational day of riding.

 

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.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Panex Plambuit
from Ollon
8% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col de la Croix
from Villars-sur-Ollon
6.3% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col du Pillon
from Ormont Dessus
8.4% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Mittelberg
from Gstaad
6.6% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Jaunpass
from Jaun
8.1% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Grosse Scheidegg
from Grindelwald
8.5% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Grimselpass
from Innertkirchen
6.4% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15

Climbs

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
1 Panex Plambuit (from Ollon) 01 96 8%
2 Col de la Croix (from Villars-sur-Ollon) 02 58 6.3%
3 Col du Pillon (from Ormont Dessus) 02 67 8.4%
1 Mittelberg (from Gstaad) 02 65 6.6%
2 Jaunpass (from Jaun) 02 71 8.1%
HC Grosse Scheidegg (from Grindelwald) 03 111 8.5%
HC Grimselpass (from Innertkirchen) 03 133 6.4%
HC Nufenenpass (from Ulrichen) 04 124 8.1%
HC St Gotthardpass (from Airolo) 04 96 7.2%
HC Furkapass (from Hospental) 04 76 5.5%
HC Furkapass (from Oberwald) 05 93 6.4%
2 Oberalppass (from Andermatt) 05 59 5.8%
2 Obersaxen (from Trun) 05 48 5.4%
1 Voa Sporz (from Solis) 06 109 9%
HC Albulapass (from Filisur) 06 112 6.2%
HC Ofenpass (from Zernez) 07 55 4.2%
HC Passo Stelvio (from Prato allo Stelvio) 07 167 7.4%
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Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2023
Jun 10 - 17
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $5,495
USD $900
USD $1,040
Book this trip
Sep 2 - 9
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $5,495
USD $900
USD $1,040
Book this trip
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Waiting List


Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:



    Trip Hotels

    Hotel Villars

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    Hotel Belvédère Spiez

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    Hotel Astoria Ulrichen

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    Hotel Alte Post

    View website arrow

    Hotel Bernina

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    Hotel Baita dei Pini

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    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the first day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Geneva Airport
    • Drop-off at Milan Malpensa Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the first day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Geneva Airport
    • Drop-off at Milan Malpensa Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Geneva Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Milan Malpensa Airport

    12:00 noon


    Rental Bikes

    Frame

    Felt FR Advanced

    Groupset

    2023 SRAM Force AXS 12-speed

    Weight

    7.7kg (size 53)

    Wheels

    Reynolds AR46 DB Custom

    Chainrings

    48x35

    Cassette

    10-33

    Sizes

    47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61

    Price

    USD $500

    View Full Details


    EPIC Trans Swiss

    If you love to climb - Switzerland needs to be on your bucket-list