The Glacier Bike Tour has been specially designed for e-bike riders who want to combine a fitness challenge with the opportunity to enjoy nature and culture, the country and its people. The 370-kilometre route with 9,500 metres of ascent is mostly on gravel and asphalt with occasional narrow trails.

The Glacier Bike Tour consists of 10 stages from St. Moritz via Andermatt to Zermatt. With only three to four hours spent in the saddle each day, there is plenty of time for culture and culinary delights along the way. Plus, with over 50 railway stations along the route, you can make the journey as long or short as you wish.

The bike adventure begins in Switzerland’s largest canton, Graubünden – more precisely in the idyllic Engadine high valley. St. Moritz lies at one extreme of the historic Glacier Express railway line that provided the inspiration for the Glacier Bike Tour. By combining up to 10 stages, keen cyclists can experience the region’s diversity up close and personal.

The initial section is extremely impressive, following the historic Albula railway line, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The line, which opened in 1903, is evidence of a truly pioneering spirit. It links St. Moritz and Thusis, via total of 144 bridges, 42 tunnels and galleries. Viewed from the cycle path, it also proves to be a real attraction and opens up fascinating new perspectives on the art of engineering.

However, the Glacier Bike Tour is much more than a scenic route with stunningly beautiful views. E-bikes open up new opportunities to enjoy seemingly limitless freedom. This makes the tour an intense experience on various levels. It is a journey for all the senses. 360-degree panoramic views make Domleschg, the valley with the largest number of castles in Switzerland, even more breathtaking. The Rhine passes gently through the gorge named after it, inviting you to pause for a moment to take in the imposing rock formations. The colourful flower-filled meadows of the Surselva are fragrant with the scent of summer as you inhale deeply while cycling.

The first five stages of the tour also have plenty to offer from a cultural perspective. The picturesque mountain villages of Graubünden are rich in history and stories. They serve as a backdrop for world-famous films such as Heidi and are the setting for modern, local architecture. The OGNA sculpture in Trun is the largest immersive artwork in Switzerland.

It is always worthwhile spending time out of the saddle during the day as well as in the evening, when the day’s goal has been reached. On the Glacier Bike Tour, you can immerse yourself deeply in the region and experience authentic Swiss life – whether it’s a spontaneous chat with the locals, enjoying regional specialities, or the numerous activities that await you just off the bike route.

From the largest canton, the Glacier Bike Tour continues to one of the oldest cantons in Switzerland: To Uri. Conditions here are steep and winding, as the canton boundary straddles the Oberalp Pass. However, the total ascent of approximately 1,240 metres is definitely worth it. Once at the top, the only lighthouse in the Alps shows you have reached the highest point.

Brave souls will take a dip in the Oberalpsee. Water is an important element along the entire route. Time and again, mountain lakes and streams provide the opportunity for a refreshing break. Major rivers such as the Rhine, which originates on the Oberalp Pass, also rise along the Glacier Bike Tour. Only a few kilometres further on, the Reuss begins to slice its first curves into the geology of the canton of Uri. The river is responsible for carving out the Schöllenen Gorge. The ancient granite walls and the wild rock formations of the river bed are a highlight of the seventh stage. A visit to the gorge is also worthwhile for history buffs. The Suvarov Monument and a walk across the fabled Devil's Bridge offer an unforgettable experience.

Nestled between two of the tour's three passes lies Andermatt. Thanks to ambitious investments, the village has developed into a popular holiday destination in recent years. The accommodation options range from simple bed-and-breakfasts to sophisticated five-star hotels with wellness areas, which means that everyone will find the right place here to recharge their batteries for the next ascent. After all, the Furka Pass awaits the following day.

The last three stages of the tour lead through the sunniest canton in Switzerland, Valais. The literal peak is the Furka Pass at 2,429 metres above sea level, shortly after crossing the canton border.

The mountain landscape becomes wilder and opens up vast views over the many 4,000-metre peaks in the Alps. The Rhone, one of the most important rivers in Europe, rises here. The Rhone Glacier forms its source and is the next highlight of the route. Both the Glacier Express and the Glacier Bike Tour take their name from the French word for a large mass of ice. Nowadays, train passengers can no longer see the glacier due to its retreat and a change in route. But if you are travelling by e-bike, you can get up close to the ice colossus. A visit to the ice grotto with its glacier educational trail is not to be missed. Right next to it is the iconic Belle Époque Hotel Belvédère, a popular photo motif of world renown.

Goms, with its green expanses and lush evergreen forests, is an attractive contrast to the high-altitude alpine landscape. You can enjoy some relaxed cycling along the banks of the Rhone. Small villages with traditional timber houses are typical of Valais. Mühlebach is home to the oldest timber-built village centre in Switzerland. In neighbouring Ernen, one of these historic wooden houses offers a particularly authentic Valais experience. Klaus Leuenberger, a pioneer of Alpine cuisine, has found a new role at “St. Georg” on the mediaeval village square. The former star chef, who once cooked for princes, sheikhs and heads of state, gives free rein to his passion for regional produce here – as a village baker with his own “Speisewerk” shop and take-away.

Tasty treats and culinary delights are just as important as the breathtaking scenery on the Glacier Bike Tour. Each stage spoils you with its own regional delicacies. Rustic farm shops, personally run restaurants and star-rated kitchens mean your bike adventure will also be a gourmet feast.

The last stage of the Glacier Bike Tour is an unforgettable experience, with the finish getting closer with every pedal stroke. From Visp, spectacular paths lead through terraced vineyards, charming mountain villages and along historic mule tracks. Impressive views open up again and again – of the Weisshorn, Klein Matterhorn and Breithorn. And towering above everything is the grand finale: the Matterhorn. It is still shyly hidden, but with every metre of altitude through the Mattertal, the iconic landmark draws closer. The arrival in Zermatt is a moment of fulfilment and pure joy. The legs may be tired, but the heart is filled with lasting memories.

The tour is a tribute to the beauty of the Swiss Alps, to the diversity of the landscapes and to the stories that are discovered along the route. It is an experience that connects people and nature, past and present, a sense of adventure and enjoyment.

One record follows another on this trip along the slowest express railway line in the world. From the largest canton in Switzerland to the sunniest, you will find the most striking, curious, longest, smallest and largest sights waiting to be discovered.