Andermatt sits at 1,438 metres in the canton of Uri, at the geographic crossroads where four of Switzerland's highest paved passes converge. The Furka, the Oberalp, the Sustenpass (via the Reuss valley), and the Gotthard all drop down toward the town from different directions. The Grimsel is one valley west. The Nufenen one valley south. Within a 50-kilometre radius of Andermatt are six HC-category climbs and one of the densest concentrations of road cycling terrain in the European Alps.
The Tour de Suisse 2026 finishes here in fourteen days. For cyclists, the town itself is the destination — not a stage town that the race visits and leaves, but a base from which the entire central Swiss Alpine cycling region opens.
The Climbs
Furkapass (HC, 2,429m). The classic. 11.4 kilometres from Hospental at an average of 7.8%, with the famous Hotel Belvédère switchback midway up and views of the Rhône glacier from the summit. The James Bond connection — Goldfinger filmed the chase scene here in 1964 — has made it the most photographed cycling pass in Switzerland. From Andermatt the round-trip is 38 kilometres with 1,200 metres of climbing. A morning's ride.
Sustenpass (HC, 2,224m). The Tour de Suisse's most-used pass. From Andermatt the western approach starts in Wassen — 18 kilometres at an average of 7.1% to the summit, then a long descent into Innertkirchen and the Hasliberg country. The Sustenpass is the most consistently graded of the central passes — never steeper than 9%, never flatter than 6% on the climb proper — which makes it ideal for tempo work.
Oberalppass (HC, 2,044m). The eastern exit from Andermatt toward Graubünden. 10.4 kilometres at an average of 6.6%. The summit overlooks the Lake Toma — the source of the Rhine. The pass connects Andermatt to Disentis and the Grisons road network. Stage 7 of the 2026 Tour de Suisse will finish here.
Grimsel (HC, 2,164m). The route west from the Sustenpass valley into the Bernese Oberland. 26 kilometres of climbing on the eastern side, with the most dramatic upper section: the road climbs along a granite shelf with two glacial reservoirs filling the basin below. The Grimsel is often combined with the Sustenpass for a brutal 200-kilometre, 5,000-metre day.
Nufenenpass (HC, 2,478m). The highest paved pass entirely within Switzerland. The southern approach from Airolo is 14 kilometres at 8.2%. The Nufenen is less famous than the Furka and the Gotthard but is the more demanding climb. From the summit, the descent into the Val Bedretto is empty, technical, and rewards riders with good descending skills.
Gotthardpass (HC, 2,108m). The original Alpine pass. From Hospental — 4 kilometres from Andermatt — the climb to the Gotthard summit is 13 kilometres at 6.7%. The famous cobbled Tremola section on the southern side is rideable on a road bike (uncomfortable, but rideable) and is one of the most photographed road surfaces in cycling. From the summit, the descent into Airolo opens the Ticino valley.
The Five-Pass Loop
The classic Andermatt-area objective: Furka + Grimsel + Sustenpass + Gotthard + Oberalp in a single day. 220 kilometres. 6,200 metres of climbing. Realistically achievable for fit cyclists with a 14-hour day and pacing discipline. The loop is rideable in either direction. Most local riders go counterclockwise: Andermatt → Furka → descend to Gletsch → Grimsel → descend to Innertkirchen → Sustenpass → back to Andermatt → Gotthard → Tremola descent → Airolo → back over Oberalp → Andermatt. Bring lights for the final hours.
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Join ZealZagFollow us on InstagramA 3-Day Itinerary from Andermatt
Day 1: Furka + Grimsel loop (~110km, ~3,200m). A demanding warm-up that hits the two iconic high passes without the Sustenpass distance. Andermatt → Furka → descend to Gletsch → Grimsel → reverse via the same valley back to Andermatt. Allow 7 hours.
Day 2: Sustenpass + Innertkirchen loop (~150km, ~3,500m). The Tour de Suisse's preferred testing terrain. Andermatt → Sustenpass → Innertkirchen → loop through Meiringen and back via the Brünigpass → Lucerne → return via the Reuss valley. A full day with significant non-mountain riding through the central plateau.
Day 3: Oberalp + Disentis recovery (~80km, ~1,800m). A lower-intensity day to use the Oberalp climb and explore the Surselva region east of Andermatt. Optional extension toward the Lukmanier Pass for additional climbing.
Logistics
Base. Andermatt has become a destination resort over the past decade — the village has been substantially redeveloped, with several new hotels in the 4–5 star range and one of the highest-altitude golf courses in Switzerland. For cyclists, the practical options are the Radisson Blu Reussen (modern, full bike storage), the Hotel Drei Könige & Post (historic, family-run, central), and several apartment-style options. Andermatt is also the most expensive cycling base in the central Alps; the Hasliberg or Brienz villages on the Grimsel side offer the same access at lower prices.
Bike rental. Andermatt has full-service road bike rental at the local shop (Veloreich Andermatt). High-end carbon road bikes available. Reserve ahead in July and August.
Approach. Zurich airport (ZRH) is 2 hours by direct train to Göschenen, then 12 minutes to Andermatt. The Glacier Express stops in Andermatt — one of the most photographed train approaches in Europe. By car, Zurich to Andermatt is 90 minutes.
Conditions. The high passes open in late May or early June and close with the first November snowfall. By mid-June all five major passes are typically open. The 2026 Tour de Suisse arrives June 14–21 — exactly the window when conditions are optimal.
When to Ride
June through September is the open window. The first two weeks of June and the first two weeks of September are the quietest. The Tour de Suisse weeks (mid-June) bring caravan and team-bus traffic on race-day roads but the rest of the network stays accessible. July and August bring the largest crowds and the busiest hotel pricing. Above 2,000 metres the weather can shift within an hour — bring a windproof shell on every ride.
For Tour de Suisse 2026 preview coverage, see our Tour de Suisse 2026 preview. For today's Tour Auvergne Stage 2 race report, see our Stage 2 field report.