Cycling across the Alps from East to West

There are projects that every ambitious road cyclist should dare to dream of. The east-west crossing of the Alpine arc from the Adriatic sea to the French Riviera on the Mediterranean coast is definetely one of them. Based on our great experience as an Alpine road cycling tour operator, we have designed a unique route that takes you through the natural heart of Europe`s most famous mountain range: the Intergal Crossing of the Alps. In total, the route is 2,000 km long and offers some 40,000 m of climbing. Given these numbers, we have cut it up in three challenging parts of 6 to 8 cycling days each.

Along the route, you will enjoy countless national and regional Nature parks of varying and outstanding beauty: Triglav, Dolomites, Ortler, the Valais and Bernese Alps, Mont Blanc area, Vanoise, Ecrins and finally the French Maritime Alps. The route is an absolute must-do for "col hunters" as it takes in the most famous mountain passes of the Alps but also lesser-known ones: Vrsic pass, Tre Cime, passes of the Dolomites and particularly the Sella Ronda, Stelvio, Gavia, Bernina, Maloja, San Bernadino, Gotthard, Furka, Susten, Colombière, Roselend, Iséran, Galibier, Izoard, Vars, Cayolle, Turini... and many many more.

We offer the Intergal Crossing of the Alps route in 3 separately bookable, fully-catered tours with support vehicle:

• Part 1 in 8 days (Triglav, Dolomites and Stelvio Crossing, this trip), crossing of the Slovene and Italian Alps from the Adriatic to Bergamo, approx. 700 km and 9,000 m in climbing (level 2 and level 3 available)
• Part 2 in 6 days (Swiss Alps Crossing), crossing of the Swiss Alps from Lake Como (Chiavenna) to Lake Geneva (Thonon-les-Bains), approx 650 km and 14,000 m in climbing (level 2 only)
• Part 3 in 8 days (Route des Grandes Alpes), crossing of the French Alps from Lake Geneva (Thonon) to the Mediterranean Sea (Menton), approx. 700 km and 17,000 m in climbing (level 2 and level 3 available)

All three parts can also be ridden in a row. The ultimate challenge.

For those wishing to complete the Intergal Crossing of the Alps, you will not ride as far as Bergamo on Day 8 of Part 1, as a rest day is planned in Chiavenna before continuing with Part 2: see the "Extension of the trip" in the detailed programme and the costs and services tab. A rest day is also planned in Thonon-les-Bains, to catch a breath between Parts 2 and 3.

Any questions regarding arrival and departure logistics? Please contact us, we are happy to help.

Day 1: Trieste - Tolmin

Trip start: Rendezvous with the organisation team is on day 1 at 9 am at the train station of Trieste. On request we can book the previous night's accommodation for you in Trieste. We can also organise a transfer from Milano or Venice airport on day 0 as our support vehicle arrives from France (Chambéry).

Highlights of the day

• A beautiful balcony climb over the Adriatic Sea to the small Prosecco pass (those who embark on the entire crossing will not see the sea again until Menton a little over two weeks later!)
• The discovery of Slovenia with its large spruce and coniferous forests, its pastures, its numerous vineyards (we are on a wine route), its orchards (mainly apple trees) and its villages with colourful houses.
• The view of the Alps over the Slovenian hills.
• The end of the stage is a rolling one on an almost flat road that weaves its way through a wooded valley along the Idrijca river.
• The hairpins through the forest that lead to the final Col.

Passes on the menu

• Prosecco Pass
• Col Pass, 863 m

Distance and altitude gain

• approx. 120 km and 1800 m (level 2 and 3)

Day 3: Moggio Udinese - Tornede

Highlights of the day

• The Col del Pura, a small hidden pass that winds its way along a lonesome road...(level 3)
• The winding road in the heart of the narrow gorges of Lumiei.
• The lake and the valley of Sauris, Alpine postcard landscapes
• Two passes in one (with no downhill in between) in a wild and beautiful area. Larch trees, pastures and panoramic views of the Alps

Passes on the menu

• Passo del Pura, 1,425 m (level 3)
• Sella di Razzo, 1,760 m
• Sella Ciampigotto, 1,790 m

Distance and altitude gain:

• Level 2: approx. 95 km and 2,000 m
• Level 3: approx. 140 km and 3,500 m

Day 5: Campitello di Fassa - Naturno

Highlights of the day

• An easy day of cycling for level 2, which doesn't hurt after the Dolomites traversee
• A bit of nostalgia as we climb our last real dolomitic pass (Paso di Costalunga)
• The quiet and short Passo Nigra at the foot of the famous Cattinaccio massif (King Laurin's rose garden)
• Possibility to take a walk through the beautiful historic centre of Bolzano.
• A change of scenery after leaving the Dolomites, with a very "Tyrolean" atmosphere during the ascent of the Mendola and Palade passes (level 3).

Passes on the menu

• Karerpass, 1,745 m
• Nigerpass, 1,688 m
• Mendelpass, 1,363 m (level 3)
• Gampenpass, 1,518 m (level 3)

Distance and altitude gain:

• Level 2: approx. 100 km and 1,100 m
• Level 3: approx. 140 km and 2,900 m

Day 7: Bormio - Chiavenna

Highlights of the day

• On the ascent of the Passo de Foscagno, beautiful views of the Ortles glaciers between the larches...
• The glaciers of the Piz Bernina then take over on the descent to the pass of the same name.
• The Livigno valley with its large grassy slopes and rocky peaks.
• We pass through the mundane St. Moritz and its pretty lake, which heralds others (we pass the lakes of Silvaplauna and Segl).
• A very playful descent with laces one on top of the other to finish the day, and our trip.

Passes on the menu

• Passo di Foscagno, 2,291 m
• Forcola di Livigno, 2,315 m
• Passo del Bernina, 2,328 m
• Passo del Maloja, 1,815 m

Distance and altitude gain

• approx. 120 km and 2,200 m (level 2 and 3)