The Alps are truly rugged and spectacular. Snow can be a problem on many Alpine routes over 2,000m but most of these should be clear by early June. Passes over 2,400m should be possible in good weather by early July with passes over 2700m by August. These are approximate and are based on average weather conditions for the time of year. It is also important to note that North and East facing slopes will hold the snow much later than those exposed to the sun. Always try to choose a clear fine day for your route and avoid higher routes after fresh snow. Beware of rivers rising after heavy rain. Any route over 2,000m may prove dangerous if attempted in bad weather.

If you are NEW to this sort of cycling it is strongly advised that you try some easy routes before attempting any of the harder ones.

Local weather forecasts can often be obtained at tourist information offices. Always be prepared for the worst weather even if it looks like a clear fine day. Carry plenty of water to guard against dehydration and it is a good idea to carry a couple of spare meals with you if you are camping. The food may come in very handy!

Please note that some restrictions on the use of bikes may have been introduced since these notes were compiled - particularly in National Parks - you are advised to check beforehand.

Maps

Michelin 74, 77, 81 and 84 for French Alps; 217, 218 and 219 for Swiss/N.Italian

IGN available in 1:25 000, 1:50 000 (some areas) and 1:100 000

Italian TCI 1:200 000 maps are available but have less detail than the corresponding Michelin maps.

The F&B (Freytag & Berndt) 1:50 000 maps cover Western Austria and the Dolomites. Sheets of the Dolomites are preceded with the letter S.

Pass/Col

Height (m)

Route start-finish

km

Path or Rough Road

Time (hrs)

V.A.D.

Maps LDS 100,000

Maps
Michelin 200,000

Fenetre de Ferret

2697

Ferret-Grand St Bernard

9.5

path

5

M

46

219

Grand Col Ferret

2537

Ferre-Entreves & Courmayeur

9.5

path

5

M

46

219

Col de Balme

2205

Trient-Argentiere

11

path

4

M

46

219

Hahnenmoos Pass

1950

Lenk-Adelboden

3

path/r.r.

1

E

41

217

Col du Torrent

2918

Les Hauderes-Grimentz

14.5

path/r.r.

5

M

46

219

Kleine Scheidegg

2061

Lauterbrunnen-Grindelwald

17.7

path/r.r.

4

M

37

217

Faulhorn traverse

c2620

Interlaken-Grosse Scheidegg

32

path

12

D

37

217

Grunerberg

1553

Truschubel-Habkern

9.5

path

2

E

37

217

Engstlenalp

2010

Engstlenalp-Melchtal

8

path

1

E

37

217

Susten (old road)

2259

Innertkirchen-Wassen

27

path

4

E

37

217

Furka (old road)

2431

Gletsch-Realp

16

path

4

E

37, 42

217

Passo di San Giacomo

2313

Airolo-Val Formazza

13

path/r.r.

5

M

42

217

Corno Pass

2540

Airolo-Ulrichen

6.5

path

2

E

42

217

Gatterli

1192

Lauerz-Gersau

5

r.r.

1

E

32, 37

217

Haggenegg

1417

Alpthal-Schwyz

5

path

2

E

33

216

Hinterhohi

1416

Nesslau-Amden

9.5

path?

3

E

33

216

Passo del Uomo

2218

Airolo-Lukmanier Pass

24

path/r.r.

5

M

43

218

Kunkelspass

1357

Tamins-Bad Ragaz

9.5

path/r.r.

2

E

38

218

Ochsenalp

2010

Tschierschen-Arosa

14.5

path

3

E

39

218

Wiesener Viaduct

Davos-Filisur (short cut)

6.5

path/r.r.

1

E

39

218

Fuorcla Surlej

2755

Pontresina-Silvaplana

19

path/r.r.

7

D

44

218

Val Alpisella

2285

Livigno-San Giacomo di Fraele

11

r.r.

7

D

44

218

Buffalora

2340

Buffalora Alp-Santa Maria

21

path

5

E

39

218

Cruschetta

2296

Scuol-Tubre

24

path/r.r.

7

M

39

218

Costainas

2251

Santa Maria-S-charl & Scuol

29

path/r.r.

6

E

39

218

The routes are marked with a rating system called V.A.D. = Very Approximate Difficulty.

E = Easy, anything from a short rideable rough section between metalled roads to fairly long paths needing some wheeling. (sometimes hard work)
M = Moderate, often hard work, possibly occasional lifting
D = Difficult, usually hard work, sometimes involving short carries
S = Severe, much carrying, sometimes double carrying (bike, then luggage)
VS = Very severe, like severe but more so, scrambling may be involved

Times given in these guides do not allow for stops. They are often based on very little experience, so we will be glad to hear from you if you have used any of these routes.

Abbreviations:

m = height in metres
km = distance in kilometres (approximate)
path/r.r. = path or rough road
hrs = time taken to complete the route in hours (see above)
V.A.D. = Very Approximate Difficulty (see above)

The following are publishers of maps:

F&B = Freytag & Berndt
Mair = Mairs Geographischer Verlag (Austria/Germany mainly)
LDS = Landeskarte der Schweiz (Swiss 1:100,000, 1:50,000, 1:25,000)
Michelin = France/Switzerland at 1:200,000, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany at 1:400,000
IGN = Institut Geographique National