The Best Gran Fondos in Switzerland 2023

Switzerland is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges, including the Swiss Alps, which offer some of the world’s most challenging and scenic cycling routes. 

The Swiss Gran Fondos take in these iconic mountain ranges, offering participants a unique and memorable experience.

The five best Swiss Gran Fondos are;

• Alpen Challenge Lenzerheide is a cross-border, Switzerland-Italy event with breathtaking mountain sceneries across the Alps. The 119km (2,718m) and 194km (4,235m) routes are extremely challenging. The route goes over the Albula Pass (2,315 m), Julier Pass (2,284 m), and Maloja pass (1,815 m) to Italy before going back to Switzerland via the Splügen pass (2,114m)
• Marmotte Granfondo Valais is the latest among the three Marmotte Gran Fondos. The other being Marmotte Granfondo Alpes and Marmotte Granfondo Pyrénées in France.  The route covers 133km (4,700m) across the Col du Lein (1,685m), Mayens de Vernamiège (1,560m), Thyon 2000 (2,090m), Nendaz (1,520m) and Col de la Croix de Coeur (2,175m). 
• Tour des Stations has seven routes to choose from. From 74km (2,900m) to 1,000km (26,000m), with plenty of climbing around the Valais and the Swiss Alps region while passing through many popular Swiss ski resorts.
• Säntis Classic is a moderately hard event with 1,800m of climbing over 130km. The route comprises many short climbs, with a steep climb up the Schwägalp (1,350 m) around the mid-way point.
• Cyclotour du Léman follows a route around the beautiful Lake Léman in Lausanne. It’s a well-organized event that offers a challenging and enjoyable experience for cycling enthusiasts of all levels. Choose from 64, 112, or 176km, depending on your fitness levels.

The table below lists all the Gran Fondos in Switzerland.

Date	Gran Fondo	Location	Distances	Type
13 May 2023	Berner Rundfahrt	Bern	34, 68, 102km	Gran Fondo
21 May 2023	L’Etape Switzerland	Bern	63, 137km	Gran Fondo
4 Jun 2023	Cyclotour du Léman	Léman	55, 64, 112, 176km	Gran Fondo
9 Jun 2023	Haute Route Crans-Montana	Crans-Montana	200km	Gran Fondo
11 Jun 2023	Tour de Suisse Challenge	Frauenfeld	8 days	Gran Fondo
11 Jun 2023	Alpen Challenge Lenzerheide	Lenzerheide	119, 194km	Gran Fondo
17 Jun 2023	Nova Eroica Switzerland	Sion	24, 39, 77, 113km	Gravel
17 Jun 2023	Gran Fondo Suisse	Villars-sur-Ollon	108km	Gran Fondo
18 Jun 2023	Säntis Classic	Weinfelden	40, 130, 200km	Gran Fondo
23 Jun 2023	Dead Ends & Cake	St. Gallen	500km	Gravel
24 Jun 2023	Swiss Bike-Adventure	Andermatt	1300km	Gravel
30 Jun 2023	Engadin Bike Giro	Celerina	3 days	MTB
30 Jun 2023	Chasing Cancellara Berne Andermatt	Berne	200km	Gran Fondo
30 Jun 2023	Engadin Radmarathon	Zernes	119km	Gran Fondo
23 Jul 2023	Granfondo Gottardo	Ambri	57km, 110km	Gran Fondo
30 Jul 2023	Chasing Cancellara Dillier Classic	Leuggern	43, 87km	Gran Fondo
1 Aug 2023	Tour des Stations	Le Châble	74, 133, 185, 242, 555, 1,000km	Gran Fondo
5 Aug 2023	Marmotte Granfondo Valais	Verbier	145km	Gran Fondo
17 Aug 2023	TORTOUR Ultracycling	Switzerland	370, 550, 1,000km	Gran Fondo
31 Aug 2023	King of Gravel	Gsteig	71km	Gran Fondo
31 Aug 2023	THE EMPEROR Stage Tour	Gstaad Switzerland	260, 330km	Gran Fondo
1 Sep 2023	LA REINE Strictly Female Fondo	Gstaad Switzerland	45, 89, 135km	Gran Fondo
2 Sep 2023	Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet	Andermatt	64, 108, 212, 268km	Gran Fondo
3 Sep 2023	NEO Bergkönig Ultra Fondo	Gstaad	65, 115, 170km	Gran Fondo
6 Sep 2023	Suisse Gravel Explorer	Disentis	179km	Gravel
9 Sep 2023	Bodensee Radmarathon	Altenrhein	80, 150, 220km	Gran Fondo
10 Sep 2023	Cyclosportive Claude Jolidon	Saignelégier	69, 107km	Gran Fondo
16 Sep 2023	Chasing Cancellara Zurich Zermatt	Zurich	280km	Gran Fondo
22 Sep 2023	Haute Route Davos	Davos	265km	Gran Fondo
21 Oct 2023	Allianz Gravel	Bern	20, 50km	Gravel
27 Oct 2023	TorTour Gravel	Switzerland	370, 550, 1,000km	Gran Fondo