Gravel Races in Switzerland

Between the forests of the Emmental, the combes of the Jura and the alpine roads of the Valais, the country is crisscrossed by unpaved paths that are rideable throughout the good season. Many are used for forestry or agriculture, which means they are regularly maintained and have manageable gradients. The shores of Lake Constance offer faster-rolling gravel, almost Dutch at times 🚲. Orchards and half-timbered farmhouses replace the alpine pastures, and the profile calms down considerably.

Riding here means respecting a few customs. The paths cross pastures with gates to close behind you, meet hikers and sometimes run alongside protected areas where access remains regulated. The ideal period runs from May to October, preferably in the dry months because the forest soil holds moisture. The official maps clearly distinguish the surfaces, which is a real comfort when preparing your route before the start 🗺. Train stations serve most starting points, so you don't have to complete the loop at all costs.

The Swiss gravel race calendar is still taking shape, often within established cycling events. The UCI The Majestics hosts a format tailored to trails. The Bodensee Radmarathon also opens its routes to wide tires around Lake Constance. The Cyclosportive Des Portes du Soleil completes the picture on the French border side 🙂. The announced distances vary greatly depending on the format, from a half-day outing to a long ride.

With a bit of curiosity, you can extend your ride along the Route du cœur or the marked MTB routes that cross the country from Lake Constance to Lake Geneva. Gravel races in Switzerland often follow these routes, with a bag on the frame and dried sausage in your pocket 😋. To mix things up, the cyclosportives in Switzerland and the trails share some of the same valleys 👍.