Tour de Suisse

Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Swiss Alps and discover the breathtaking Grand Cols of the Tour de Suisse.

FROM MEIRINGEN TO MEIRINGEN

Grüetzi! Have you already ticked off quite a few Grand Cols but have you never been to Switzerland? Then it’s about time! Cycle from Meiringen to Meiringen in seven stages. Experience the Swiss beauty and tranquility and climb the breathtaking Grand Cols of the Tour de Suisse. Of course Switzerland is the Alpine country par excellence, but to cyclists the Swiss cols are less known than those in France and Italy. Yet the Tour of Switzerland is an important race that is often called the ‘fourth Grand Tour’. Rightly so in our opinion because the Swiss cols are in no way inferior to those in neighboring countries in terms of challenge and beauty. We climb, among others: Grimselpass, Furkapass, Julierpass, Passo della Spluga, Sankt Gotthardpass, Susenpass and Grosse Scheidegg. Do you choose the black routes? Then you cycle 650 kilometres and conquer 15,000 metres elevation gain. The red routes count 600 kilometres and a 13,500 metres Elevation gain.

stages

7

 

Overnight stays

7

BEST TIME OF YEAR

June
September

TOUGHNESS

\\\[[
\\\\[

Distance (KM)

Red routes: 600

Elevation gain (M)

Red routes: 13,500

Explanation Toughness routes

Is this your first cycling tour in the mountains and are you wondering if you can handle our routes? Or are you an experienced climber and are you curious whether the challenge is interesting enough for you? Using our five-point scale, we help you gain insight into the toughness of our routes. Based on the number of polka dots you can easily see if the routes of this cycling tour match your level and ambition!

\[[[[ all fit cyclists

\\[[[ reasonably trained cyclists with some climbing experience

\\\[[ trained cyclists with climbing experience

\\\\[ trained cyclists with a lot of climbing experience

\\\\\ well trained cyclists with a lot of climbing experience

Within stages we often offer different routes so that groups with cyclists of different levels can participate in the cycling tour:

\ red = easier route

\ black = tougher route

If you are unsure whether the routes are suitable for you and your cycling friends, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help you!

across the alps south

SWISS CLASSICS

We start in Meiringen, near Lake Brienz. Brienz is located in the north of the Alps and is easily accessible from western and northern Europe, also by train. After a warm up stage we find two of the most beautiful Grand Cols in Europe on the program in stage 2: the grim Grimselpass (2,164 metres) and the Furkapass (2,429 metres). These Swiss classics are must-rides for every mountain cyclist! The Grimselpass has an impressive finale with winding roads past massive barrages. The Furkapass is best known for the iconic 19th century Belvédère hotel. It is located in a hairpin bend, near the Rhône Glacier. You may also know this col from a chase scene from the James Bond film Goldfinger, from 1964.

‘The Grimselpass and Furkapass are among the most beautiful Grand Cols in Europe and are must-rides for every mountain cyclist.’

 

LITTLE GETAWAY TO ITALIA

In stage 3 and 4 we move from central Switzerland to the east of the country, towards the Italian border. Here we climb the 36 kilometer long Julierpass (2,284 metres), named after the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. We descend the Julier Pass and Malojapass and enter Italy; un doppio per favore! The next highlight on our route, in stage 5, is the breathtaking Passo della Spluga (2,114 metres), or Splügenpass in German. This border pass with 51 tornanti (three more than the Stelvio!) takes us along the beautiful Lago di Montespluga, back to Switzerland. In the 2021 Giro d’Italia, this Grand Col formed the setting for the 20th stage, which was won by Damiano Caruso.

BACK IN TIME

In the last part of the Tour de Suisse the cols remain beautiful! As we climb the Sankt Gotthardpass (2,107 metres) in stage 6, it seems like we are going back in time; the winding road is partly paved with authentic stones and due to the Gotthard tunnel there is very little traffic on the road. Can we make this Grand Col even more beautiful? Yes we can! By mentioning its Italian name: Passo del San Gottardo! In the last stage we climb the Sustenpass (2,224 metres). We seem to be repeating ourselves when we say that this is a beautiful col, but it has to be said! After the descent we arrive back in Meiringen, where one more surprising col awaits us; the Grosse Scheidegg (1,962 metres)!

What's included in the price?

The price includes:

  • Hotel accommodation in nice, cycle-friendly hotels (minimum 3 stars) on the route (double room, 7 nights)
  • Breakfast (7 times) and dinner (7 times)
  • Participation in the stages prepared by Grand Cols Cycling Tours (7 stages)
  • Professional, digital road book with all relevant route information
  • GPX files for uploading routes to navigation devices
  • Picnic lunch, coffee stop with good coffee and sports nutrition (sports drink, water, bars, etc.) during the stages
  • Support during the stages with a support car, for example: handing over clothing and carrying out minor repairs
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
  • The use of a bicycle pump, lubricant and bicycle tools
  • Grand Cols Cycling Tours cycling jersey (contact us if you would like to design a custom jersey)
  • Participation in the VZR guarantee scheme

The price does not include:

 – The outward journey to the starting location and the return journey from the finish location
 – Personal insurance, such as travel and cancellation insurance
 – Drinks during the dinners
 – Equipment (you participate with your own equipment, such as: bike, helmet and clothing)

Optional extra:

  • Upgrade to a single room € 299, –
  • Additional overnight stay (without dinner) before the start of the cycling tour (double room): € 110, –
  • Commonly used spare parts, such as: tyres, cleats and batteries (at cost price)

Anything else? Let us know! 

Want to know more?

Discover the Tour de Suisse

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a sELection of our cycling tours

Take up the challenge and discover the most beautiful Grand Cols with us.

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