Stelvio & Eastern Switzerland
Road Cycling Holidays in Switzerland
Road Cycling Holidays in the Alps
- Exceptional road cycling holiday experiencing the best cycling climbs in the Eastern Swiss Alps and the Bormio region of Italy
- Cycle the beautiful Splügen Pass, Julier Pass, Flüela Pass, Albula Pass, Bernina Pass, Forcola di Livigno, Passo di Gavia Pass and the Stelvio Pass
- Optional extra climbs for those wanting more of a challenge: Maloja Pass, Ofen Pass, Umbrail Pass, Torri di Fraele and the Mortirolo Pass
- Enjoy three nights in Bormio with its thermal baths and cycling cafes
- Comfortable 3-star Swiss and Italian, family-owned hotels in prime locations
- Easy travel arrangements with direct transcontinental and European flights to Milan Malpensa
- Ride at your own pace with full support from two of our fun, expert, and proactive guides focused on making your holiday the very best it can be, along with two of our customised support vans.
Days on the bike
Fantastic value for money. The two guides literally took care of everything from the time we arrived at the first hotel until the time we left the last hotel. All you need to do is ride your bike. Superb logistical support, great briefings every day and great camaraderie from the guides.
David F
Introduction
The Passo dello Stelvio is an iconic bucket list climb for every road cyclist. It epitomises everything we love: big mountain views, tight hairpin bends, smooth tarmac, challenging gradients and a load of Strava kudos! It also happens to be surrounded by a load of lesser-known road cycling climbs with the same magnificent qualities. This week-long road cycling holiday offers the perfect opportunity to explore the delights of this stunning Alpine region, where Eastern Switzerland meets Italy.
Most of the passes in this part of the Alps are long with significant altitude gain, so our Classic route each day is a considerable challenge; the daily average is 68km with 1,640m of ascent. However, the rides can be made more manageable with a tactical lift in our support van at the start of each day. We’re sure that the daily Challenge route will satisfy your need for even bigger rides, with a daily average of 109km with 2770m ascent.
This is your holiday, and we’re here to support you as an individual. As with all our flexible pace tours, we don’t insist that everyone ride as a group; you’re free to cycle at your preferred speed – solo, or with other riders at a similar pace to yourself. You’re free to stop when you want, and to make the day your own. With our expert support team in customised vehicles (along with a Route Buddy App), we’ll provide you with all the moral, nutritional, and mechanical support you require to achieve your cycling holiday goals. All you have to do is eat, sleep, cycle, and enjoy the magnificent scenery – we’ll take care of the rest!
The quality and location of the accommodation are another standout feature of this holiday. The hotels we choose are family-run and are experienced at looking after hungry cyclists!
A note for long-haul travellers: exploring the Italian lakes is a pleasant option if arriving a few days before the tour begins, to acclimatise yourself.
It is important to us that you book the right holiday for you, so please take a look at the Trip Notes for the full details on how this holiday works; daily stats, food, accommodation, transfers, and so on.
Foreign travel advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, click here.
Departure Dates & Prices
2026
Discount Information
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your 3rd Marmot trip onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival Day
Your cycling holiday starts in Chiavenna, a beautiful historic Italian border town.
We offer transfers from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), a journey of 2hrs. It’s also possible to travel independently by train as our hotel is within easy walking distance of Chiavenna railway station.
Comprehensive travel advice (essential reading before booking your flights or trains) can be found in our Trip Notes.
Once hire bikes have been set up or you’ve assembled your own bike, you’ll be able to meet your fellow riders at our guides’ welcome briefing before enjoying a lovely dinner.
If you arrive in the morning (recommended), there’s possibly time for an unsupported ride up the Passo del Maloja/Maloja Pass (1815m) from the south for your first taste of Swiss switchbacks.
Day 1: Chiavenna to Andeer via the Passo della Spluga
The northern side of Passo della Spluga (2114m), also known as Splügen Pass, is a photographer’s delight due to the perfectly symmetrical hairpin bends twisting their way down through a meadow of Alpine flowers (and marmots); this vista is your motivation and reward for the effort required to reach the pass! Starting down at 300m and with 30km of tarmac, this is a big climb! It is also a beauty, with varying gradients, picturesque villages, stunning views and little traffic.
Your destination is the town of Andeer, in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The Romans favoured it for its thermal waters, which we also get to enjoy as the thermal spa is adjacent to your hotel.
Those wanting a bit more or a challenge today have the option of cycling up to the San Bernardino Pass (2066m). Built as a major road pass between Switzerland and Italy, most of the traffic now goes through a tunnel, rendering this masterful bit of road construction almost traffic-free! It is a spectacular ride. There is a lake at the summit, which reflects the majestic mountains you’re surrounded by, making this a fabulous place to take some snaps before your descent.
Classic route: 54km with 1840m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 94km with 2510m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Andeer to St. Moritz (Bever) via the Julierpass
Tonight’s destination is the enchanting village of Bever in the heart of the pristine Engadine Plateau. It is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Swiss Alps, with shimmering lakes reflecting the towering peaks. It is also home to the resort of St. Moritz, which we pass through towards the end of the day, so stopping off for a drink, ice-cream or for a bit of people-watching is always an option.
To get there, our route passes over the stunning Julier Pass (2284m). This pass has been an important trade route for centuries as it connects the Engadine with the rest of Switzerland; consequently, it is a well-engineered road with pleasant gradients. It is a challenging but manageable climb surrounded by expansive vistas. After a sweeping descent to Silvaplana, you have the option of extending the route by heading up the Engadine valley along the shores of the lakes to the Maloja Pass/Passo del Maloja (1815m) – it’s a cracking ride.
If browsing at high-end designer goods in St. Moritz is not your thing and you want more cycling, then taking on the serene Albula Pass (2315m) from its steeper, southern side is a great option.
Classic route: 82km with 1800m ascent [ride profile]
Harder route: 104km with 1830m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 109km with 2490m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: Flüela and Albula from St. Moritz (Bever)
Today, you get to ride one of the world’s greatest road cycling loops – the Flüela and Albula Passes via Davos. This ride is definitely up there with the Sella Ronda (featured in our Italian Dolomites & Stelvio holiday) and the Grosse Scheidegg loop (featured in our Swiss Alps holiday).
From your ideally located hotel, we start the day by descending into the Lower Engadine through well-preserved traditional villages to Susch. Here we take on the magnificent Flüela Pass (2382m), which is a characterful climb with some challenging gradients and tight hairpin bends. It was once an important pass, but now most of the (non-tourist) traffic goes through a tunnel, adding to the joy of this ride.
Lunch in Davos is a good plan to fuel you up for the next challenge – the Albula Pass (2315m) from the west. This climb is simply idyllic, and the gradients are generally kind (aside from a 10% ramp), so you can really appreciate the landscape. It is worth punctuating your climb with a stop in Bergün, and from here you can marvel at the ingenuity of the Swiss and how they managed to make the Rhaetian Railway gain altitude with a series of underground loops and beautiful viaducts (it is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site).
The whole loop is more challenging than the Classic route on each of the other days on this cycling holiday. Consequently, those wanting a more leisurely afternoon have the option of taking the Rhaetian Railway from Bergün or Preda to our hotel, which is right opposite the railway station – an added bonus!
Classic route (Rhaetian Railway from Bergün): 99km with 1670m ascent [ride profile]
Harder route (Rhaetian Railway from Preda): 105km with 2100m ascent
Challenge route: 126km with 2620m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: St. Moritz (Bever) to Bormio
Bormio is our destination, and where we stay for the next three nights. It is a pleasant, historic Alpine town, known for its thermal baths and medieval charm. Our comfortable hotel is within easy walking distance of the centre, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the cycling-themed cafes and other attractions.
The Bernina Pass (2330m) with shallow gradients and views of the Morteratsch Glacier is a very pleasant way to start the day. A short descent lines you up for the more challenging Forcola di Livigno (2315m), where you pass into the high Italian mountain territory of Livigno, famous for its extensive skiing and tax-free status. Our Classic route then takes you over the Passo d’Eira (2208m) and Passo del Foscagno (2291m) before an unforgettable descent to Bormio.
Our Challenge route splits in Livigno and descends to the Mautstelle Munt La Schera Tunnel (we shuttle you through in our vehicle), before taking on the Pass dal Fuorn/Ofen Pass (2149m) and the Umbrail Pass (2503m). The Umbrail Pass is the highest paved road in Switzerland and also the third (and less-climbed) side of the Stelvio.
The tight hairpins and tranquillity of the beautiful Torri di Fraele (1941m) climb is an unsupported extra ride that can be done from Bormio today, or on any of the following days. It involves 32km and 760m ascent.
Classic route: 79km with 1560m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 116km with 2470m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: The Gavia and Mortirolo from Bormio
The narrow mountain road over the Passo di Gavia (2621m) has been stirring things up in the Giro d’Italia since the 1960s. It’s also an epic climb with striking views over the glaciers of the Stelvio National Park and the second highest pass on your holiday. Our Classic route enjoys the Passo di Gavia from Bormio as an out-and-back ride.
Your other route options tackle the steeper, narrower side of the Passo di Gavia from Ponte di Legno. To get there, we need to pass over the much-feared Passo del Mortirolo (1857m), making this the Queen Stage of your holiday. The Mortirolo was first introduced to professional road cycling in 1990 when the Gavia was closed and the organisers detoured the Giro stage up this steep, narrow, surfaced farm track. It became an instant classic. With an average of 18.8% and gradients of up to 22.5%, the Mortirolo from Mazzo di Valtellina is undoubtedly a formidable challenge. This is not for everyone, so there is the slightly easier option of the Mortirolo from Grosio, which still allows you to complete the loop.
Tonight’s evening meal is not included, so you are free to enjoy one of the many fine restaurants in town.
Classic route: 51km with 1420m ascent [ride profile]
Harder route: 110km with 2950m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 113km with 3090m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: The Stelvio from Bormio
The Passo dello Stelvio (2,758 m) requires little introduction. It’s a bit of a beast with many 8.5% sections and a few at 9%, so you’ll be pleased to get to the top, and maybe enjoy a well-earned bratwurst! Despite the challenges and infamous hairpins, it’s one of the world’s most iconic and enjoyable road-cycling climbs. It’s also the highest pass on our journey, making it our Cima Coppi and a fitting finale to this unforgettable week of road cycling.
Our Classic route takes on the climb from Bormio as an out-and-back ride. The famous tight switchbacks are on the other side, and we encourage you to descend a couple of kilometres so you get to experience riding them for yourself. Our Harder route takes you down to the Rocca Bianca cafe, while our Challenge route descends all the way, so you can enjoy all 48 bends of the Passo dello Stelvio from Prato Allo Stelvio and achieve the ‘Double Stelvio’.
Whatever cycling you choose to do today will be epic, so look forward to a celebratory meal in the evening, to round off a fantastic week!
Classic route: 44km with 1560m ascent [ride profile]
Harder route: 64km with 2450m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 94km with 3420m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Departure day
Your legs will no doubt be relieved that it’s home time today! We offer transfers from the hotel to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) at specified times (a journey time of approximately 3hrs).
Full travel advice and our group airport transfer arrangements (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.
Trip Album
