Bicycle Tour 2026

The alps in Graubünden and Tessin

This year’s bicycyle tour continued last years. I took the Flixbus from Munich to Chur, rode a small part on the bike from Chur to Landquart and then took the train from Landquart to Zernez, the starting point.

By the way - using the train with the bike in Switzerland is very relaxed: The stations don’t use elevators (which can break), instead they use ramps to change the platforms. You can wheel your bicycle directly in to the coach, store the luggage and hang up your bike - done. This means: The doors of the coach are wide enough, there are no stairs in the coach, it’s one level. Easy.

From Zernez, I continued the Graubünden Route 6 undertaking the Albula Pass (2315m). It was end of July, but quite cold in Zernez and Bergün. But the summer heat wave didn’t wait long. Following the river Albula, we reach Thusis. From there, it went uphill again, along the river Hinterrhein. On the way, there is the Viamala Gorge and the Rofla Gorge.

The next big step is the San Bernadino Pass (2066m). After this big step, it goes downhill till Bellinzona (at about 241m) and the weather got really warm. There are growing palm trees.

After that, we follow the river Ticino, which is also the name of the canton. This is now uphill, until Airolo, the last city before the Gotthard Pass (2106m). Do not forget to enjoy the very long stretch of cobbled street leading up to the pass, see Tremola. Maybe you even see a stage coach pulled by horses. This is by the way the North-South Route 3.

Now a bit downhill till Andermatt (at 1437m), which is the starting point for the next route: Rhine Route 2, also the EuroVelo 15. It starts with the Oberalp Pass (2046m) and then follows the river Rhine downhill. It starts with the Vorderrhein and along the way, there is the Rhine Gorge. I continued this route till St. Margrethen.

Summary

• 1 day arrival
• 1 day departure
• 10 day on the bike
• in total ~500km
• in total ~6700hm elevation
• also accomplished several tunnel segments

Note: On day 6, the recording didn’t work between Claro and Biasca, so there are some missing tracks.

Clear All Tracks Show All Tracks

All emojis designed by OpenMoji – the open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0 (camping, mountain, hotel, tent, wrench)