Swiss Alpine Cols - Road

Roll along the borders between France, Switzerland and Italy on the ribbons of smooth asphalt that weave through the Pennine Alps. Above the snow covered peaks reflect sunshine, below are postcard perfect villages and glistening lakes. A road bike is the absolute best way to take in the region after the snow melts.

Canton Valais, the same beautiful base of our mountain bike adventure along the Rhône, is home to some of Switzerland’s best road cycling as well, this year attracting a 2-day visit from the Tour de France. We'll explore remote alpine valleys, climb international border cols and descend into Chamonix, France and Aosta, Italy, and finish the trip with a ride through the UNESCO-heritage vineyards that line Lac Leman. At the end of each ride, a gourmet meal, a tasty bottle of wine, and a restful night in your classic private Swiss chalet.

Fly into Geneva’s Cointrin International Airport. Here an EpicQuest guide greets you for the 90-minute private van transfer along the shore of Lac Leman (Lake Genva). Upon Arrival in Verbier, check into a private chalet and begin preparing for the first day’s ride.

The southwest corner of Switzerland has great diversity for road biking, from mellow deserted farm roads to challenging alpine cols. And the road quality is fantastic, with courteous drivers respectful of cyclists. These Swiss asphalt ribbons provide our Verbier road bike guests with an unforgettable experience: exquisite riding with incredible snow-capped Alps views.

Summer in the Alps can be very similar to the Rocky Mountains – warm, sunny days and cool nights. In early summer, it can be wet from runoff and rain, so it’s always good to have an extra set of mud tires and a raincoat. In the fall, cooler days make for great riding weather when the leaves start to change, our favorite time of the bike season in Switzerland.