Andermatt: Home of the Giants of Switzerland
The Swiss Alps are home to some of the highest Cycling Passes in Europe, and from the Swiss Town of Andermatt, there are 6 accessible Passes all above 2000m / 6562ft. Many of the Passes need no introduction as they are all famous in World Cycling, and are also featured regularly in the annual Tour de Suisse. Needless to say, the Passes are the following:
- Furka Pass (James Bond / 007 Straße) - 2436m / 7992ft
- Nufenen Pass - 2478m / 8130ft
- Gotthard Pass (The Old Tremolo Cobblestone Road that linked Italy to Northern Europe) - 2106m / 6909ft
- Oberalp Pass - 2044m / 6706ft
- Susten Pass - 2224m / 7296ft
- Grimsel Pass - 2164m / 7100ft
Many of the Passes are important historical roads that connected Southern and Northern Europe, all the while becoming major trans-Alpine trade routes back in the day. Today, all of the Passes are relatively car-free and cyclist friendly, and can also be combined into 2 of the most Legendary Cycling Loops in the Alps. In this article, we will dive-in to all the Passes, discuss how they can be best ridden, and provide recommendations for anyone planning a cycling trip to Andermatt.
Loop 1: The Andermatt Alpine Challenge - Furka / Nufenen / and Gotthard Passes
Statistics:
Length - 105,6 km / 65,5 miles
Elevation Gain - 3170m / 10400ft
The Andermatt Alpine Challenge starts and ends in Andermatt, and also combines the Furka, Nufenen, and Gotthard Passes in one loop. The ride starts with the legendary Furka Pass first. The Furka Pass is an HC Climb with a length of 16,4km / 10,2 miles and an elevation gain of 1065m / 3494ft. The climb first became famous from the car-chase scene in the James Bond Film, Goldfinger. Today, the Furka Pass is also known as the James Bond Straße and features some of the most picturesque views in the Alps for cyclists.
After ascending Furka Pass, cyclists enjoy a long descent to Oberwald, Switzerland to the base of the Nufenen Pass. The descent takes cyclists from the German speaking Swiss Canton of Uri to the French speaking Canton of Valais. Sitting at 2478m, the Nufenen Pass is the highest Pass in the region and the second highest Pass in Switzerland after the Umbrail Pass. The Nufenen is also one of the newest Passes in Switzerland having opened just in 1969. The Nufenen is considered the hardest Climb in this loop with an elevation gain of 1280m / 4200ft and a length of 13,5km / 8,4 miles.
After completing the Nufenen Pass, cyclists descend into Bedretto to the base of the Gotthard Pass. Bedretto is located in the Italian speaking Swiss Canton of Ticino. (The Andermatt Alpine Challenge features 3 Swiss Regions, who all speak a different language!) As mentioned before, the Gotthard Pass or Old Tremolo Road was an Alpine Trade Route that connected Southern Europe to Northern Europe in the Middle Ages. The Gotthard Pass is 12,5km / 7,8 miles long with an elevation gain of 940m / 3084ft, and is one of my favorite Passes in Switzerland. My favorite part of the climb is when the road turns to cobblestone and serpentines its way to the Summit at 2106m.
When reaching the Summit of the Gotthard Pass, cyclists have officially finished all 3170m of climbing in the Andermatt Alpine Challenge. The Challenge takes cyclists through 3 of the most famous and picturesque Passes in Switzerland and also to 3 different Swiss Cantons. It is for these reasons that this route is one of the best loops in Switzerland, and also one of the best loops in Europe. Once reaching the Summit of the Gotthard, the road descends all the way back to the start point in Andermatt. Enjoy the descent.
Loop 2: Andermatt II - Furka / Grimsel / Susten Passes
Statistics:
Length - 120 km / 74,4 miles
Elevation Gain - 3581m / 11750 ft
The Andermatt II Loop is not as well-known as the Alpine Challenge Loop, but it is my preferred route in Andermatt. The Loop requires taking a right from the descent of the Furka Pass in the direction of the Grimsel Pass, instead of a left to the Nufenen Pass featured in the Alpine Challenge. The ride also starts and ends in Andermatt and begins with the ascent of the Furka Pass leading to the Grimsel Pass.
The Grimsel Pass outdates the Gotthard Pass and was first used during Roman times to transport goods across the Alps. Geographically, the Grimsel Pass connects the upper Valley of the Aare River to the Rhone marking the European Continental divide between the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The Andermatt II Route features the back side of the Grimsel Pass, which allows cyclists to climb the serpentine roads shown above, and descend the other side of the Grimsel Pass to Innertkirchen at the base of the Susten Pass.
Once reaching Innertkirchen, it is reccommended to stop at a Cafe and refill water bottles before the big ascent of the Susten Pass. (Innertkirchen / Meiringen is also famous for the Sherlock Holmes scene where he plunges over the waterfall at Reichenbach Falls. Today, there is even a Sherlock Holmes Museum located in Meiringen.)
After passing Innertkirchen, the climb to the Susten Pass begins. The Susten Pass is one of the most difficult climbs in Switzerland. The Susten is 27km / 16,8miles long with an elevation gain of 1515m / 4970ft. It is one hard climb! Nevertheless, the Susten Pass is unique for its views of the Sustenhorn at 3503m, the Stein Glaciers, and its dramatic landscape and waterfalls.
The Susten Pass is one of my favorite Passes in the Alps not only for the difficulty and challenge of the climb, but rather for the perspective the mountains offer here. The surroundings and the solitude felt on the Susten Pass are so overpowering that the climb reminds me of how small I am to the World around me. When climbing the Susten Pass, I often feel like an ant making his way up the mountain.
After reaching the Summit of the Susten Pass, the descent leads back to the start at Andermatt with a small climb at the end. The Andermatt II ride is unquestionably my favorite loop in Switzerland. My friend and I have some of our best mountain memories on this route that I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Andermatt Recommendations
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