Tour Type
Explorer
Riding Level
Active
Location
Andermatt, Switzerland to Mont Ventoux, France
Duration
9 Days | 8 Nights
Length
22 - 137 km daily
Climb
640 - 4,400 m daily and everything in between
Join us as we ride from Switzerland to Mont Ventoux, passing over some of Europe’s most breathtaking climbs in the Swiss and French Alps!
The Grand Tours Project welcomes you to an epic journey from the heart of the Swiss Alps to the legendary summit of Mont Ventoux.
This isn’t just a cycling trip; it’s a pilgrimage for the soul, a traverse of Europe’s most spectacular mountain passes, each one a chapter in a story of grit, glory, and breathtaking beauty. From the glacial peaks of Switzerland to the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence, you’ll climb, descend, and conquer, leaving a trail of memories and a sense of profound achievement. Get ready to challenge yourself on roads steeped in cycling history, culminating in the ultimate test: a triple ascent of the “Giant of Provence.” This is YOUR grand tour project.
Make it Private
Today begins with your arrival at Zurich Airport, where a private transfer will be waiting to take you on a stunning 1.5-hour drive through the Swiss countryside to the alpine village of Andermatt. Once you’ve settled into your hotel, you’ll have time to assemble your bike for a short but beautiful welcome ride up the Oberalp Pass. This first climb is designed to get your legs ready and allow you to soak in the crisp, fresh mountain air. We’ll end the day with a group dinner and a briefing for the incredible journey ahead.
After a hearty breakfast, a quick 30-minute transfer will take us to the start of today’s ride in Airolo. From here, you’ll tackle the famous cobbled hairpins of the Gotthard Tremola, a true cycling classic. The day only gets better as we then conquer two more legendary Swiss passes: the Furka Pass, offering breathtaking views of the Rhone Glacier, and the Grimsel Pass, known for its dramatic scenery and pristine alpine lakes. After a thrilling descent to Innertkirchen, we’ll follow the valley floor to the picturesque town of Meiringen.
This morning, we set out from Meiringen to climb the sublime Grosse Scheidegg. This pass is closed to motorized vehicles from Schwarzwaldalp, so you’ll enjoy a serene and challenging ascent through alpine pastures, with cows and cowbells as your only companions plus the musical post buses warning you of their arrival. The descent is a highlight, dropping you into the heart of the Bernese Oberland, past the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. You’ll then ride along the stunning shoreline of Lake Thun to Spiez. A relaxing 60-minute transfer will then take us to the upscale ski resort of Gstaad, your home for the night.
Today, we’ll tackle two classic mountain passes of the Alpes Vaudoises: the Col du Pillon (1,546 m) and the Col de la Croix (1,778 m), which will take us into our home of Villars-sur-Ollon (1,250 m), before descending down to the valley floor, where we pass the UCI Centre and ride across into France on the shores of Lake Geneva/Lac Leman. A final 90-minute transfer will take us to the pretty city of Annecy, known as the “Venice of the Alps,” where you can explore its historic old town.
Today’s ride is a true alpine adventure. You have the option of a 40 km transfer to Ugine to shorten the ride, or you can ride the full 109 km from Annecy. The main event is the ascent of the spectacular Cormet de Roselend, with its jaw-dropping views of the turquoise reservoir. The route then detours you to the technical Col du Pré before a thrilling descent into Bourg Saint Maurice, our base for the night.
Prepare for a legendary day as we depart Bourg-Saint-Maurice and climb the Col d’Iseran, the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. The climb is long and steady, rewarding you with panoramic views of glaciers and snow-capped peaks. After reaching the summit, you’ll enjoy a long, exhilarating descent to Modane. From there, a 60-minute transfer will take us to the ski resort town of Valloire, nestled at the foot of one of the most famous climbs in cycling.
This is a day for the cycling history books. From Valloire, we begin the iconic climb of Col du Galibier, one of the most revered passes in the Tour de France. A short descent leads to the Col du Lautaret, before a long, enjoyable ride down to the historic fortress town of Briançon. From there, you’ll tackle the stark and striking Col d’Izoard and its famed Casse Déserte lunar landscape. After a final descent into Guillestre, a 2-hour and 35-minute transfer will take us to Sault, the gateway to Mont Ventoux.
If you want an extra challenge, you can ride the extra 17 km from the Maurienne valley floor, passing over Col du Telegraphe to Valloire before continuing onto Galibier. A very early start is required.
Today is the ultimate challenge. Starting early, you will embark on a monumental ride to climb Mont Ventoux from all three sides in a single day: first from Bédoin, the classic and brutal ascent from Bédoin, followed by the punishing climb from Malaucène.; and finally the less arduous climb from Sault. The total distance is 137 km with a staggering 4,400 metres of climbing. Completing this epic feat will earn you membership in the exclusive Club des Cinglés du Mont Ventoux, a badge of honour for any cyclist.
After this incredible col bagging journey, it’s time to say goodbye. Enjoy a final French coffee before a transfer takes you to either the Avignon train station or return to Geneva airport, ready for your journey home with memories that will last a lifetime.
