Every climb rated for the way up and the way down — so you can pick one that matches your legs and your nerve.
The confidence to set out and explore, at home or on holiday.
Whether you're a novice looking for safe climbs to practise on, or you're eyeing a big alpine pass and want to know if it's one for you — every climb is graded with a standard rating system so you can tell at a glance. Unlike other sites, we rate the descenttoo, for those still building their bike handling. And we add the personal write-ups, because the numbers don't tell the whole story.
The east side from Realp — the Goldfinger climb to 2,426 m
The James Bond pass from Realp: 12.8 km at a steady 7% to 2,426 m, past fountains, waterfalls and the little hamlet of Tiefenbach, with the red glacier train winding through the valley far below. Spectacular — if you can share it with the traffic.
The Tremola — the old cobbled road from Airolo to 2,055 m
The greatest cobble-and-hairpin combination in the Alps: 12.9 km at a steady 6.9% up the Val Tremola from Airolo, the last kilometres a festival of 24 named cobbled switchbacks. Quiet, historic, and unforgettable — then the gentle modern road home.
From Ulrichen — Switzerland's second-highest paved pass at 2,469 m
The Passo della Novena from the Goms: 14.1 km at a hard 7.9% to 2,469 m, on quiet, shadeless roads through wild alpine country to a summit restaurant with grand views — then a gentle, wide descent into the Val Bedretto toward Airolo.
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