Andermatt

Part of Switzerland

There are places in Europe that are forever linked to the mountain passes surrounding them. Bormio has the Stelvio, Bourg-d’Oisans the Alpe d’Huez, and Bédoin the Mont Ventoux. Andermatt, in the Swiss canton of Uri, has four of them right away: the Furka, the Gotthard, the Oberalp, and, with a small extra, the Susten. The village lies right at the intersection of the major Alpine routes, at an altitude of 1,447 meters, and is therefore one of the classic base camps for those who want to climb.

Why cycle from Andermatt?

• All the big moves in a row. Furka, Gotthard, Oberalp, Nufenen, Susten, Grimsel, Lukmanier and Klausen are within reach. You can ride a different col every day for a week without leaving your hotel.
• Legendary rounds. The Furka–Nufenen–Gotthard round is one of the most beautiful days you can have on a bike in the Alps.
• A real cycling village. Andermatt places a strong emphasis on cyclists and is the home of Tudor Pro Cycling, the team of Fabian Cancellara. There are bike shops and rental services, so a broken derailleur chain is not a disaster.
• Cool in the summer. While it’s 30 degrees in the valley, it’s cool here. A real ‘coolcation’.

The Furkapass

The Furka (2,429 meters) is a climb that you don’t so much drive as experience. From Realp, on the side of Andermatt, it is 12.2 kilometers at an average of 7 percent: first turning, then you see the top always in front of you. The west side from Oberwald in Valais is even more beautiful. You drive through the upper part of the Rhone Valley, and with a little luck you pass the steam train, and at Gletsch the road to the Grimsel splits off. Then follows an arena of hairpin bends to the famous Hotel Belvédère, known from the James Bond film Goldfinger. The real peak is about two kilometers further.

Our tip: Do not drive on the Furka on a Sunday or public holiday in the middle of the day. It gets very busy then with cars and motorcycles trying to prove something. Read our story about the Furkapass.

The Gotthard and the Tremola

The Gotthard Pass (2,108 meters) is reached from Airolo via the old Tremola road in Ticino. It is fourteen kilometers long, with an average gradient of 6 percent, mostly on gravel roads, rising in long curves. The rocks are neatly arranged, but it remains a special experience. For the descent, it is better to take the modern road next to it.

The classic round: Gotthard, Nufenen and Furka

From Andermatt, you can ride the big loop of about 105 kilometers with just over 3,000 meters of elevation gain. You can drive it in two directions, but we recommend starting with the Gotthard towards Airolo, then the Nufenen (the highest road in Switzerland that is entirely within the country’s borders) to Ulrichen, and ending with the Furka from Oberwald. This way you can take the most beautiful side of both the Gotthard and the Furka. Be aware of the weather: even in the middle of summer, it can storm and snow at this altitude. Our first plan for this round literally fell through.

Susten, Grimsel and the rest

• Sustenpass (2,224 meters). Preferably from the west: 14.9 kilometers at an average of 7 percent, with more than ten small tunnels and sometimes even snow walls in the middle of summer at the top.
• Grimsel Pass. It starts at Gletsch, at the bottom of the Furka Pass. The round of Susten–Grimsel–Furka is about 120 kilometers with three cols above 2,100 meters: a real postcard-worthy day.
• Oberalppas. The descent towards Graubünden, a nice warm-up from the village.
• Lukmanier and Klausen. For those who want to explore further. And if you get caught in the snow, Ticino is often sunny over the Gotthard Pass.

Gravel and mountain bike

Those who want to leave the asphalt can head to the Unteralptal and the Witenwasserntal, and to the military-historical Bäzstrasse. Mountain biking can be enjoyed in the Sedrun-Disentis region, which together with Andermatt forms one area. Ideal for a day when you want to be out for a long time but don't feel like tackling another climb.

Three days in Andermatt

• Day 1: the Oberalp to warm up, possibly with the Lai da Curnera dam nearby.
• Day 2: Gotthard – Nufenen – Furka, with the Tremola opening track.
• Day 3: Susten – Grimsel – Furka.

Our classics from Andermatt

Seven routes from Andermatt, driven during our visits between 2021 and 2024: the classic round over the Furka, Nufenen and Gotthard in both directions, the Grimsel and the Susten, and a few surprises.

Overnight stay

For cyclists, we recommend the Radisson Blu in Andermatt. The hotel is fully equipped for cyclists, with a laundry room, secure parking, and a place to service your bike.

Climber map: the most important climbs

On this map you can see the most important ascents in the area. Click on a point for the altitude and the climb figures. The yellow points have a GPX route attached.

When are you leaving?

The high passes usually only open in June and close again in October, depending on the snow conditions. Check alpen-paesse.ch in advance to see which passes are open. July and August are the most reliable months. Start early, because in the afternoon it can be windy, and bring lights for the tunnels. Want a challenge? Then the Alpenbrevet, a tour through the major passes around Andermatt, is highly recommended.

How do you get there?

• Car: From the middle of the Netherlands it is about 850 kilometers via Basel and Lucerne. Don’t forget the Swiss vignette.
• Train: via Basel and Göschenen, and then with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn the final stretch up. Your bike can go along.
• Aircraft: to Zurich, and then in just over two hours by train to Andermatt.

From our stories

• Andermatt: your base camp for Furka, Gotthard and Nufenen
• The most beautiful climbs in the Swiss Alps and where you set up your base camp
• Epic rides from Crans-Montana, with the Furka and Grimsel

Events in Andermatt