From Glaciers to Palmtrees

Thruogh Alpine Switzerland into Mediterranean Italy

This tour leads over steep ascents and tricky passages across the heart of high alpine Switzerland to Mediterranean Lago Maggiore in Italy. With up to 1800 vertical meters per day the tour is demanding, but not extreme. The schedule includes classics like Grosse and Kleine Scheidegg as well as some paths that would not be found without guides.
We will be passing bloomy mountain pastures, crystal-clear tarns and a panorama of gigantic glacial mountains, eventually approaching the sunny Rhone Valley where you can already smell a Mediterranean flair. From here on, the route will lead us across remote valleys and through old hamlets. Taking unknown passages we will proceed to Italy. Chamoises, wheezing marmots and even ibexes are no rarities in this remote region. In Italy, not only the vegetation will differ, but the climate, the cooking, and the life-style as well. On the way to Lago Maggiore we will mostly cycle on mule-made tracks, crossing chestnut woods, vineyards, and old hamlets.

 

 

Difficulty level:

This tour is manageable for every biker with a good fitness and who can control his or her bike even in technically challenging terrain. You should also be ready to push your bike once in a while over an alpine passage.

• Steep ascents of up to 1200 vertical meters
• Technically challenging downhills on steep single-tracks with obstacles
• Very steep downhills on rough gravel tracks
• An average of 1500 vertical meters and 50 km every day
• The toughest stage: 1840 vertical meters uphill and 2080 vertical meters downhill on 42 km including a passage that requires pushing the bike for about 2 hours

Services included:

• Shuttle service from Lucerne station, and back to Locarno station
• Accommodation for 10 nights, half-board
• 9 days of guided bike tour
• Luggage transport
• Catering
• Boat trip on Lake Lucerne, gondola ride Kandersteg - Sunnbühl

On extra charge:

• Shuttle service from and to Zurich airport, or back to Lucerne station
• Single supplement

Options for the free time:

• With a rack-and-pinion railway up to Jungfraujoch (3500m)
• A visit of the glacial gorge in Grindelwald
• A visit of the hot springs in Leukerbad
• A longer stay on Lago Maggiore
• Journey on from Cannobio to Verona, Milan, or other destinations