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Trips > Switzerland: Cycling paradise in Gstaad

Switzerland: Cycling paradise in Gstaad

$9,950

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Switzerland is getting the full inGamba treatment and we’re very excited about it! This part of the world is underrated as a cycling destination, but with plenty of quiet and perfectly surfaced roads, pristine lakes and rivers, as well as challenging climbs amongst snowy peaks, it has everything a rider could dream of.

We’ll be based in Gstaad, a small but multicultural and multilingual town in the heart of the Alps that is well-known as an exclusive ski resort. Come summer, it transforms into a cycling paradise and a great selection of loops link the local passes, which are all regular features in WorldTour races such as Tour de Romandie, the Tour de Suisse and even the Tour de France. Expect all the Swiss clichés along the road: cows, dairy farms, mountain villages from another era, and we will ride through the gorgeous vineyards of Chablais and Valais, which produce some fantastic wines.

Off the bike, we’ll be living in luxury at the Gstaad Palace, a fairy-tale castle overlooking the village that has been run as a 5-star hotel by three generations of the Scherz family, offering the very best of Swiss hospitality.

Included With Trip:

  • All lodging*
  • All food and beverages**
  • Pinarello Dogma F Disk with SRAM RED eTap AXS
  • Daily Bike Wash
  • Custom Castelli × inGamba cycling kit
  • Daily post-ride massage from a professional soigneur
  • Laundry service for cycling clothing


*Pre/post-trip lodging is not included
**Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges

Trip at a Glance

Start Location:

Geneva

Finish Location:

Geneva

Days Riding:

6

Group Size:

8 – 14

Total Distance:

450km

Total Elevation:

8,485m

Longest Day:

Day 5. Jaunpass. 96km

Biggest Climbing Day:

Day 2. Col du Pillon. 1,695m

...

Day by Day Breakdown

1

Lauenen Test Ride

Welcome to Switzerland. This short ride takes you through two typical villages near Gstaad: Lauenen and Turbach. Switchbacks, green pastures and rocky peaks in the distance: a perfect way to stretch the legs and get ready for a week in paradise.
2

Col du Pillon, Forclaz and Col des Mosses

This route leads us to the French speaking part of Switzerland. The false flat to Gsteig is the perfect warm up before the first pass: the Col du Pillon, at the base of the imposing Diablerets massif. The next climb leads to La Forclaz, a typical village in the Vallée des Ormonts. The Col des Mosses takes us back towards Gstaad, which we reach after an enchanting ride through the Pays d’Enhaut region, famous for its L’Etivaz cheese. None of the climbs is overly long or steep, making for an enjoyable day in the mountains.
3

Gruyères and Mittelbergpass

This loop starts with part of the day 3 route, but in the opposite direction and mostly downhill for 35 kilometers. In Broc, you will ride past the Cailler chocolate factory. Can it get more Swiss than that? The second section takes on a little known pass: the Mittelberg, which culminates at 1633 meters. It is mainly used by farmers and cyclists, making it a very pleasant experience in spite of some steep ramps. The climb features in the Bergkönig, a vintage cycling event which takes place in Gstaad every year. After a narrow descent to the lovely village of Saanen, you will be just a few kilometers away from our hotel.
4

Coffee ride and cheese making

Only one climb on the programme: the Ciernes de Picaz. From there, we are only a short and flat ride away from a coffee stop and an incredible opportunity to see the gruyere cheese making.
5

Jaupanss

Another day, another region explored from the hotel doorstep: this time, we head north over the short but steep climb to Saanemöser. A 15km descent down the Simmental valley takes us to the bottom of the day’s main climb: the Jaunpass, with its many switchbacks in the middle of green pastures. After that it’s all downhill to Gruyères, home of the famous and eponymous cheese. We ride past its medieval castle before the long, gradual climb back to Gstaad which uses several sections of SuisseMobile routes, the national network of bike paths.
6

Gstaad to Villars

We finish with a bang. The Col de la Croix is the most beautiful climb you’ve never heard of. Plus we will see the Hongrin lake, a reservoir set against a dramatically unspoilt natural backdrop. A truly unique experience to cap off an amazing week in Switzerland.
7

Departure

This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations!

YOUR Guide

Alain Rumpf

The Swiss insider

Born in Switzerland, Alain has been riding his bike in the Alps since he was 12. In previous chapters of his life, he was an enthusiastic (but mediocre) elite racer and worked 20 years for the UCI, cycling’s international governing body. He attended many meetings, wrote and rewrote countless rules and met awesome people – including inGamba's founder, João Correia. He also ran a bike race in China that everyone has forgotten about. In 2014 he decided to leave the corporate world to become a professional bike bum. An ambitious career change that sees him work as a guide, photographer, writer and consultant for brands, media and destinations. With his wife Lillie and their son Ben, Alain lives in Gryon, in the French speaking part of the Swiss Alps.  

BIKE OPTION

PINARELLO DOGMA F

FRAMESET:

Pinarello Dogma F

COCKPIT:

ZIPP Service Course SL

GRUPPO:

SRAM RED eTap AXS

PEDALS:

Speedplay (or your own)

SADDLE:

Selle Italia

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

TIRES:

Vittoria Corsa

BOTTLE CAGES:

Elite Custom Race

BIDON:

Elite Corsa Team

COMPUTER:

Garmin Edge 1030