Climb more. Explore more.

I love being outside. I love travelling. I love eating. Cycling is the perfect way to combine all three and then collapse into a chair with a coffee and a pastry at the end of it.

Why I built this

Swimmer turned runner turned cyclist. Before you ask, I do not do triathlons.

I live in Switzerland and everything I share comes from my own experiences out on the road. I started cycling four years ago, and on my first Alpine pass I stopped halfway down the descent to give myself a little pep talk before I dared carry on. I probably had no business being on that descent at all — but with no way to know beforehand, I thought it was better to try than to stay at home.

That's the gap this fills. The hardest part of any climb isn't the gradient or the headwind, it's the doubt of not knowing whether you're ready. Since then I've learnt that every pass has its own personality, with easier and harder ones, and that with time, practice, and a proper build-up the nerves turned into an adventure I absolutely love. I built The Altitude Guide for myself and for friends who get nervous venturing into the unknown. It takes the doubt away and helps you grow from wherever you are today all the way to descending the Stelvio.

What's here

• Climbs— rated for ascent and descent, grouped by region, so you can find the one that fits your legs and your nerve
• Rides— specific routes, all the detail, ready for you to go and ride them
• Levels— the four rider levels we rate against, so you know exactly where you stand and what to build towards
• Blog— the personal stuff: the kit, the lessons, and the things nobody tells you or you're too shy to ask

Pick the climb that's right for you

Every climb here is rated honestly (for the way up and the way down) against four simple levels. So whether you're a novice hunting for a safe climb to practise on, or you're eyeing a big Alpine pass and want to know if it's one for you, you can tell at a glance. No surprises halfway up, and no white-knuckle descent you never saw coming.

And it's not just for you. Maybe you're picking a route for a friend who's newer to it, or talking your girlfriend out for her first proper climb. The whole point is to nudge people forward (a little harder, a little higher each time) without pushing so far that they lose their nerve. Confidence is the thing that keeps people coming back, and it's easy to break. So we grow it step by step.

I hope you'll learn from my wrong turns, join me on the journey, and reach new altitudes of your own.