Follow the Glacier Express on two wheels

Almost everyone has heard of the Glacier Express. The world’s slowest express train has been travelling through some of Switzerland’s most beautiful landscapes for decades. But there is another way to experience the Alps to the full along the same route: on two wheels.

From St. Moritz via Andermatt to Zermatt, the Glacier Bike Tour takes you through three cantons, over legendary Alpine passes and past stunning natural scenery. Around 370 kilometres and 9,500 metres of elevation gain await along the way. Thanks to e-bikes, however, there is plenty of time to enjoy the viewpoints, stop off in small mountain villages or simply linger for a moment amidst the mountain scenery. The route is also ideal for gravel bikes.

Three passes, countless impressions

What is particularly striking along the way is the enormous diversity of the route. Even in the Engadin, the lake landscapes and the UNESCO World Heritage route of the Rhaetian Railway are impressive. Further on come the Rhine Gorge, the Surselva and, finally, the high-alpine pass landscapes around the Oberalp and Furka Passes.

High above the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’ on an e-bike or gravel bike.

Along the route, historic transport routes, legendary Alpine passes and impressive mountain scenery come together. As you gradually gain altitude on your bike, the landscape changes constantly – from green valleys to rugged rocky terrain at altitudes of over 2,000 metres.

Bends, mountains and sweeping views – on the way to the Ursern Valley.

Enjoyment rather than chasing kilometres

Even if the figures seem impressive at first, the journey isn’t about achieving peak athletic performance. The route was developed specifically for e-bike riders who want to combine exercise, nature and enjoyment. The individual stages have been deliberately designed so that, alongside the cycling, there is plenty of time for spontaneous stops, regional cuisine or little discoveries along the route. The various sections are also ideal for gravel bikes and offer varied riding experiences across mountain passes, nature trails and alpine landscapes.

It’s not just the passes that make the route special...

...but also the little villages along the way.

Particularly handy: there are numerous stations along the route operated by the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway and the Rhaetian Railway. This means individual stages can be flexibly adapted or shortened. Andermatt, in particular, is ideal as a stopover or starting point for individual sections of the route.

On the move along Switzerland’s most famous railway line

The Glacier Express railway line runs alongside the route time and again. Whilst the trains travel through valleys, tunnels and over spectacular viaducts, you experience the landscape much more intensely on a bike. You feel the changes in temperature, hear the babbling brooks and discover places you would hardly notice from the train.

Whilst you’re cycling down below, the train rolls past above.

It is precisely this combination that gives the Glacier Bike Tour its special appeal: it combines physical activity with a chance to slow down. Instead of rushing to reach your destination as quickly as possible, the journey itself becomes an experience.

My tip for the tour

Anyone planning the route should allow plenty of time, not just for the distance, but also for the many moments in between. A coffee with a view, a break by a mountain stream or a spontaneous stop in a small village are just as much a part of it as the actual stages.

Sunrise on the Furka Pass road above Realp.

The ride over the Furka Pass, with views of the high-alpine landscape surrounding the Rhone Glacier, is particularly impressive.

The Hotel Belvédère is one of the most famous photo spots along the Glacier Bike Tour. But arriving in Zermatt with a view of the Matterhorn is also an unforgettable finale to this special Alpine crossing.

Say cheese! A well-deserved selfie after arriving in Zermatt.