Tour Type
Explorer
Riding Level
Active
Location
Meiringen to Klosters, Switzerland
Duration
8 days | 7 nights
Length
30 - 110 km daily
Climb
200 - 2,470 m
Welcome to the Grand Tours Project Switzerland Explorer - a meticulously crafted journey designed to immerse you in the heart of the Swiss Alps. This isn't just a cycling tour; it's a pilgrimage to conquer the most epic and breathtaking mountain passes in Switzerland.
Over eight unforgettable days, you’ll embark on a pilgrimage to conquer a spectacular collection of seven legendary alpine passes – with the option to add an eighth – each a true monument to cycling. Your journey begins in the picturesque adventure hub of Interlaken and unfolds through a stunning landscape of jagged peaks, verdant valleys, and turquoise lakes. You’ll climb classics like the Grosse Scheidegg and Grimsel Pass, complete the iconic Furka Loop with its dramatic, cobblestoned Gotthard Tremola, and conquer the majestic Albula and Flüela Passes.
The Switzerland Explorer tour is your opportunity to ride the iconic roads celebrated by local cyclists and increasingly sought out by international riders. It’s a chance to push your limits against a backdrop of unparalleled natural beauty and forge memories that will last a lifetime. The journey culminates in the charming alpine resort of Klosters, leaving you perfectly placed for your departure.
Prepare your legs and your spirit for the ultimate Swiss alpine challenge.
AND remember, any time you want, the support vehicle and guides are there to support or collect you.
Make it Private
Your Swiss adventure begins with a scenic two-hour transfer from Zurich Airport to our hotel in the charming town of Meiringen. Located in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, this town is famous for the Reichenbach Falls – the site of Sherlock Holmes’s final showdown – and for its claim to have invented the meringue. After settling in, the afternoon is yours to explore. Stretch your legs with a gentle ride along Lake Brienz, or simply stroll through town to visit the falls and enjoy a local meringue.
Today, your incredible journey begins with an ascent of the famously beautiful Grosse Scheidegg, considered one of the top ten alpine climbs. The roads, closed to cars from Schwarzwaldalp to above Grindelwald, offer a peaceful and spectacular ride, where your only “traffic” will be dodging Swiss post buses with their unique musical horns and cows with sonorous bells. As you climb, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the legendary Eiger North Face. The descent takes you through the popular alpine village of Grindelwald to the valley floor and Interlaken.
An optional ride will take you into the ‘Tolkienesque’ valley of Lauterbrunnen, where you’ll be surrounded by soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and stunning vistas.
Today, you’ll tackle one of Switzerland’s most famous passes, the Grimsel Pass (2,165 m). The road climbs out of the beautiful Hasli Valley, offering a dramatic landscape of rock faces, glistening lakes, and cascading waterfalls plus a breathtaking detour along the Old Grimsel balcony road to bypass the tunnel. Shortly after the summit, you’ll view one of the most iconic views in alpine cycling: the legendary switchbacks leading up to the Furka Pass. A fast and stunning descent then takes you into the scenic Goms Valley toward the finish in Münster.
For those looking for an extra challenge, the legendary Furka Pass (2,436 m) awaits. This ride offers incredible views of the former Rhone Glacier snout and the iconic shuttered Belvedere Hotel before you return to the main route to complete your descent into Münster.
You can start your ride directly from the hotel, or take an optional transfer to Ulrichen to begin your ascent of the wild Nufenen Pass (2,478 m), the second-highest paved pass in Switzerland. From the summit, a long and rewarding descent plunges you into the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. In Airolo, we’ll pause for a well-earned pizza before tackling the second legendary climb of the day: the Tremola. This iconic southern face of the Gotthard Pass is a true cycling classic, famous for its final five km of spectacular cobbled switchbacks built in the 1850s. The final reward is a thrilling descent to our hotel in the alpine village of Andermatt.
Today, your ride begins with an ascent of the Oberalp Pass. From the summit, a beautiful, long descent takes you through the Surselva (also known as the Disentis Valley), a gorge carved by the young Rhine river. At Ilanz, you’ll turn off the main road for the final climb to the spectacularly situated village of Vals. This remote, picturesque gem is your destination and the home of the world-renowned 7132 Thermal Baths. After your ride, you’ll have entry into this architecturally stunning thermal complex, a masterpiece of stone and light, where you can unwind in its mineral-rich waters
Today’s spectacular ride takes you from the quiet beauty of Vals to the high-altitude glamour of St. Moritz. The road starts climbing after Tiefencastel and winds through a beautiful gorge to the charming village of Bergün, a perfect spot for a coffee break before the final ascent. The Albula climb is a masterpiece of both road and rail engineering. As you climb, you might be treated to the incredible sight of the famous Glacier Express – the world’s slowest express train – twisting its way overhead on the spectacular viaducts – a UNESCO World Heritage site whilst you ride the sinuous switchbacks under the railway line itself. After conquering the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a long descent to La Punt Chamues-ch. From there, it’s a short, flat ride to the finish line in the world-renowned resort of St. Moritz.
Today, you’ll say goodbye to St. Moritz with a spectacular ride to Klosters. The route takes you through the dramatic landscapes of the Engadin Valley to the village of Zernez. From there, we’ll ride to Susch for a refreshment stop at the Susch Museum, a contemporary art space built in the remnants of a medieval monastery, before we tackle our final ascent of the magnificent Flüela Pass (2,383 m). A long and winding descent then takes you through Davos and into the beautiful resort of Klosters, marking the end of your incredible Swiss alpine journey.
For those looking for an extra climb, the legendary Bernina Pass awaits. This out-and-back ride from St. Moritz offers incredible views of the Bernina Glacier and is a true alpine classic, adding a challenging but rewarding extra climb to your day.
All good things must come to an end, and today we say goodbye to the Swiss Alps. You have conquered a magnificent collection of seven legendary alpine cols, with the option for an eighth – a remarkable achievement that will stay with you long after the tour is over. After a final Swiss breakfast in Klosters, our team will provide a transfer to Zurich Airport for your onward journey.
While the Switzerland Explorer tour has come to a close, this is just the beginning of your alpine journey. Switzerland is home to countless more spectacular climbs waiting to be challenged. Find more Swiss tours here.
