Mountain bike tours

Glacier Bike Tour 8. Andermatt - Ulrichen

Obergoms

12/17°

Pass through one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, or even the smallest, before reaching the Furka Pass and discovering the glaciers of the Valais and the source of the Rhône.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

42.8 km

Duration

2:30 h

Description

In its eighth leg, the Glacier Bike Tour (GBT) departs from Andermatt and heads for the source of the Rhône in Valais, via the Furka Pass. This stretch reveals one of Switzerland's most beautiful villages, as well as the country's smallest, while the climb to the Furka Pass takes you up to a height of almost 900 m. At the summit, cross the cantonal border to take your first steps into Valais and, after a few downhill bends, discover the Rhône glacier, where the river rises, as well as the iconic Hotel Belvédère, which is no longer in operation. The descent offers splendid views of the imposing 4,000 m peaks of the Bernese and Valais Alps. On the way to the Goms valley (Conches), the Alpine landscape is replaced by forests and finally opens out onto a vast, picturesque expanse. You’ll reach Ulrichen, your stopover spot, surrounded by the Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen passes.

Our favorites

Our favorite itineraries are part of a selection of the best routes in the region and are proposed by Valais/Wallis Promotion to best meet the expectations of our guests.

Turn-by-turn directions

From Andermatt, follow the Reuss along the Andermatt golf course, stopping first at Hospental, one of Switzerland's most beautiful villages and then at Zumdorf, the country's smallest village. Continue on to Realp and the eastern ramp of the Furka Pass, via the Urseren plain. The climb to the pass is a steady and demanding one, with a 900 m ascent over 12 km. At the summit, cross the cantonal border before tackling the first bends of the descent. At 2,200 m, you’ll reach the Rhône glacier, the river you'll follow for many kilometres. Pass the Hotel Belvédère and continue your descent, winding your way down to Gletsch and on to the Goms valley (Conches). In front of you, the Alpine landscape is replaced by forests and finally opens out onto the picturesque expanse of the upper Goms valley and the plateau of Ulrichen, the stopover town on your route.

Start

Andermatt (1437 m) (1442m)

Destination

Ulrichen (1346 m) (1343m)

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Author's recommendation

If the sun is out, drop off your luggage at Ulrichen, then go for a swim, relax or hire a stand-up paddleboard at Geschinersee.

Technical information

Altitude

2429m

658m

Ascent

+1030m

Descent

-1120m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Take the Gotthard Express to Göschenen, then the Matterhorn Gothard Bahn to Andermatt.

Approach

By car, take the motorway exit at Göschenen and continue for 10 minutes in the direction of Andermatt.

Parking

Follow the car-park routeing in Andermatt.

Equipment

We recommend: a bike in excellent working order, a helmet, gloves and a bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.

Which e-bike should one use on the Glacier Bike Tour? Professional cyclist and twice E-MTB world champion Nathalie Schneitter demonstrates the ideal two-wheeler in this video. A sturdy, comfortable full-suspension e-bike with wide, grippy tyres, powerful brakes and, if possible, a lowerable seat post. One needs to be ready for anything in the mountains, even in midsummer. So what should one plan to include in one’s bike bags for an adventure that – incorporating three mountain passes and landscapes that are as Alpine as they are Mediterranean – is about as exceptional as it gets? Having already completed the Glacier Bike Tour, cycling pro Nathalie Schneitter reveals her list of what to pack.

Preparing for mountain bike outings

Safety information

Use marked bike trails and routes only, making sure you observe all signposting. The Glacier Bike Tour route is under development and is not signposted. While on the route, you can find your way using the Outdoor Active app.

Kindly close gates after passing through. Please be considerate to walkers, as well as to plants and animals. As a rule, walkers have priority. When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.

Preparing for mountain bike outings

Additional information

Book one of the Glacier Bike Tour holiday offers! Choose between eleven, seven or three nights and enjoy some great riding days. You will be staying in bike hotels and will be provided with a daily luggage transport service; all that’s left for you to do is hit the trails! Go to the offer.

See full itinerary:

Glacier Bike Tour

More information about the destination:

Obergoms

Literature

Get the the Valais/Wallis mountain bike map to discover the best routes in the region.

The tourist offices in Münster, Oberwald, Reckingen, Visp and Zermatt have got brochures and information material about mountain biking in the region.