Eric Moreau creates Gravel Across Switzerland route from Geneva to Morcote; nearly 1,000 km across four linguistic regions
Gravel Challenge Across Switzerland – BIKEPACKING.com
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Distance 619 Mi. (996 KM)
Total Ascent 55,060’ (16,782 M)
High Point 6,771’ (2,064 M)
6 Climbing Scale Moderate 89 FT
3 Resupply & Logistics Fair
Eric Moreau is a Swiss gravel and bikepacking enthusiast. After discovering the Tourmagne Challenge in 2023, he became passionate about long-distance gravel adventures. He went on to create the Gravel Across Switzerland challenge. Find more at gravelxswiss.ch.
Gravel Across Switzerland is a self-supported bikepacking challenge that takes riders on a sweeping diagonal across one of Europe’s most spectacular countries. Starting in Geneva, on the western shores of Lake Léman, the route winds nearly 1,000 kilometers east and south to Morcote, a jewel of a village perched on the shores of Lake Lugano in Ticino. Along the way, riders traverse all four of Switzerland’s linguistic regions—French, German, Romansh, and Italian—experiencing a rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes.
The journey begins along the gentle lakeside paths near Lausanne before climbing into the first foothills around Châtel-Saint-Denis and Gros Plané, then descending into the emblematic Gruyère region, famous for its cheese and medieval charm. The scenery steadily becomes more alpine as the route passes through Fribourg and Bern, Switzerland’s laid-back capital, before opening onto the peaks surrounding Thun and Interlaken, where turquoise lakes sit framed by snow-capped summits.
The heart of the route is a succession of legendary mountain passes: Brünig Pass, Pragel Pass, Kunkel Pass, and Schwägalp—names that evoke effort, solitude, and the reward of breathtaking panoramas. Between these climbs, riders discover the lakeside elegance of Lucerne, the rolling green hills of Appenzell, the historic streets of Chur (Switzerland’s oldest city), and the high-altitude resort town of Davos. The suspended lake of Lai da Vons offers a moment of pure alpine magic before the route reaches the San Bernardino Pass, gateway to the south.
The descent into Ticino brings a radical change of atmosphere. Mediterranean vegetation replaces alpine meadows, palm trees line shaded alleys, and the dolce vita spirit of Lugano beckons. The final stretch to Morcote feels like arriving in another country entirely—a fitting conclusion to a route that spans the full breadth of Swiss diversity.
Inspired by the Tourmagne Challenge in France, Gravel Challenge Across Switzerland was designed as a free, non-competitive adventure open to all gravel enthusiasts. With 19,000 meters of elevation gain across varied terrain—from smooth gravel roads to rugged mountain trails requiring occasional hike-and-bike—this route demands fitness, self-reliance, and a sense of adventure. In return, it rewards riders with an unparalleled immersion into Swiss nature, culture, and history.
Most of the riding is on gravel roads and forest tracks with varied surfaces, including compacted gravel, uneven dirt roads, and some non-technical singletrack on mountain approaches. Several pass sections (particularly Pragel Pass and Kunkel Pass) feature rocky, steep trails that require confident bike handling and occasional hike-and-bike, pushing this above a purely gravel route. However, there is no truly exposed or technical singletrack riding. The trails are well-marked but can be slippery when wet.
The route’s defining challenge is its physical demand (8
10). With nearly 19,000 meters of climbing spread over roughly 1,000 kilometers, the climbing is comparable to routes like the Oregon Timber Trail or the Wolf’s Lair in Abruzzo. Riders face sustained daily efforts that accumulate over 10 or more days, with several days featuring over 2,000 meters of elevation gain. The altitude—reaching above 2,000 meters at San Bernardino Pass—adds another layer of difficulty. Resupply and logistics (3
10), however, are Switzerland’s strong suit: this is a linear route from Geneva to Morcote, but both endpoints are well served by international rail and air connections. Resupply points are never far apart, water fountains are abundant throughout the country (and drinkable unless marked otherwise), and the excellent Swiss public transport network provides easy bail-out options at almost any point.
I created Gravel Challenge Across Switzerland, a Swiss gravel enthusiast, and organize it through gravelxswiss.ch . The route was inspired by the Tourmagne Challenge, a similar 950-kilometer gravel bikepacking adventure across France created by Matthieu Brunet. I scouted and developed the entire route using Komoot, carefully selecting a line that maximizes gravel and off-road riding while linking Switzerland’s most spectacular landscapes. The route was finalized in late 2025 after extensive scouting and testing, with input from early challengers whose feedback helped refine sections for safety and ridability. The challenge launched as a free, open adventure in the spirit of community-driven bikepacking.
As the leading creator and publisher of bikepacking routes, BIKEPACKING.com endeavors to maintain, improve, and advocate for our growing network of bikepacking routes all over the world. As such, our editorial team, route creators, and Route Stewards serve as mediators for route improvements and opportunities for connectivity, conservation, and community growth around these routes. To facilitate these efforts, we rely on our Bikepacking Collective and the greater bikepacking community to call attention to critical issues and opportunities that are discovered while riding these routes. If you have a vital issue or opportunity regarding this route that pertains to one of the subjects below, please let us know:
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Departing from Geneva with views over Lake Léman and the Jet d’Eau
Riding through the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard terraces above Lausanne
The Gruyère region: medieval castle, rolling pastures, and world-famous cheese
Crossing through Bern, Switzerland’s charming federal capital
The turquoise twin lakes of Thun and Brienz framed by the Bernese Alps
Brünig Pass: a classic Swiss alpine crossing between the Bernese Oberland and central Switzerland
Lakeside riding along the shores of Lake Lucerne with dramatic mountain reflections
Pragel Pass: a wild, remote crossing through pristine alpine wilderness
The green rolling hills and traditional farmhouses of Appenzell
Kunkel Pass: a hidden gem connecting the Rhine Valley to Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city
Schwägalp and the panoramic views of the Säntis massif
The suspended alpine lake of Lai da Vons near Davos
San Bernardino Pass (2,065 meters): the gateway from the Grisons to Ticino
The dramatic descent into Ticino with its Mediterranean vegetation and Italian-speaking culture
Finishing in Morcote, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakeside villages on Lake Lugano
The route is generally rideable from end of May to mid-October, as it climbs above 2,000 meters on mountain passes without snow clearing. The ideal window is mid-June to mid-September for the most reliable conditions.
Registration: The challenge is free, and there is no set date. Register on gravelxswiss.ch and choose your start date. The GPX track is sent a few days before departure, updated with the latest trail conditions.
Getting to the start: Geneva is served by Geneva Airport (GVA) and excellent rail connections (Geneva Cornavin station). Getting back from Morcote: ride back to Lugano, then train back to Geneva or your home city via the Gotthard route.
No permits required. Switzerland is open for cycling, but respect local rules on wild camping and stay on marked trails in protected areas.
Navigation: The route was scouted using Komoot. The free SwissTopo app is also excellent for detailed Swiss maps. A personal GPS device is required to validate the challenge.
Public transport bail-out: Switzerland has one of the world’s best public transport networks. Train stations and PostBus stops are never far from the route, making it easy to stop or skip a section if needed.
Switzerland is expensive: expect at least 20–25 CHF for a simple restaurant meal and around 100 CHF for a hotel. Migros and Coop supermarkets are found even in small towns and offer more affordable food options.
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s wise to carry some cash for smaller villages and mountain huts.
Language: The route crosses four linguistic regions (French, German, Romansh, Italian). English is widely spoken throughout Switzerland.
Bike: A gravel bike with robust, wide tires (minimum 45mm recommended) is ideal. A tubeless setup is strongly advised for puncture resistance on rocky alpine trails. Low gearing is essential given the sustained climbing. Disc brakes are a must for long descents. An MTB is also suitable.
Some sections require hike-and-bike: waterproof shoes with good grip are recommended for pushing your bike over rocky terrain.
Weather: Swiss mountain weather changes rapidly. Thunderstorms can be violent, especially in the afternoon. Install the MeteoSwiss app (available on iPhone and Android) for a highly accurate weather radar—it is the reference in Switzerland.
Shared trails: You will often share trails with hikers. Ride respectfully, slow down around pedestrians, and avoid startling people with heavily loaded bikes.
The challenge is designed as a self-supported journey. Accommodation options include hotels (around 100 CHF
night), guesthouses (slightly less), campsites, bivouacking under the stars, or a mix of these. Wild camping in Switzerland is generally tolerated above the tree line and away from nature reserves. Still, rules vary by canton; check the Swiss Touring Club (TCS) website for current guidelines. Respect private property and always leave no trace. Temperatures ca