Alpine passes, Switzerland
High Meadow Traverse
Alpine passes above the treeline, where the pace naturally falls away.
Why this monthAll the passes are still open, the air is clear and cold at the tops, and the alpine descents are quiet after the August traffic.
Full route, maps & GPX on BicycleMovementOpens the official page in a new tab. Nothing is sold here — how the link works.
- Distance
- 340 km
- Duration
- 6 days
- Ascent
- 7,300 m
- Country
- Switzerland
The seasonAll the passes are still open, the air is clear and cold at the tops, and the alpine descents are quiet after the August traffic. How we read the weather window · the September edition.
The Soul Score is BicycleMovement's official figure for this route, shown here exactly as published on High Meadow Traverse route page.
Best time to cycle High Meadow Traverse
- Best months
- July – September, once every pass is open
- Difficulty
- Demanding
August is the safest month for a high alpine traverse: every pass on the route is fully open, the meadows are at their fullest, and the mornings are clear before the afternoon build-up. Thunderstorms form over the summits most afternoons, which is an argument for early starts rather than for a different month. Carry warm layers — the tops are cold even in a heatwave.
We would avoid before June, when snow still closes the high roads. See the month-by-month weather window for Switzerland
How hard is High Meadow Traverse?
Old pass roads mean steady, well-graded climbing rather than brutal gradients, but the days are long and the altitude is real. Descents are fast and cold. Fitness matters more than technique here.
On the roadOld pass roads left quiet since the tunnels opened: steady gradients, good surface, and long alpine descents. Passes are fully open in August; carry warm layers for the tops even on the mildest days.
Gradients, surface changes and the full elevation profile are published on the official High Meadow Traverse page on BicycleMovement, which is the complete version of this journey.
What the route is remembered for
Pass roads the tunnels left behind
Traffic went underground decades ago; the old road over the top is quiet and beautifully surfaced.
Grimsel and the high lakes
Granite, dammed water and thin air, with the road drawn across it in long clean lines.
Meadows in full August growth
Cowbells, wildflowers and hay being cut on slopes too steep for machinery.
Descents that last an hour
Long, sweeping, cold — the reward for every climb, and the reason for the extra layer.
High Meadow Traverse cycling itinerary
6 days of riding, 340 km and 7,300 m of ascent, shaped the way we would ride it — short mornings, long afternoons, and no day that has to be finished.
Days 1–2
Valley approach
Gradual valley roads and the first pass, ridden early before the afternoon build-up.
Days 3–4
The high passes
The heart of the route: two big climbs, meadows in flower, snow banks at the top in early season.
Day 5
Old road
The pre-tunnel pass road — sealed, nearly empty, and the quietest day of the traverse.
Day 6
Long descent
Down the far side into warmer air and a valley train home.
The full route
GPX files, offline maps, the elevation profile, day-by-day notes and the planning tools for High Meadow Traverse all live on BicycleMovement. We keep only the season and the reason.
Get the GPX + full route on BicycleMovementOpens the official page in a new tab. No signup here, nothing sold here.
High Meadow Traverse: common questions
- When is the best time to ride High Meadow Traverse?
- July – September, once every pass is open. August is the safest month for a high alpine traverse: every pass on the route is fully open, the meadows are at their fullest, and the mornings are clear before the afternoon build-up. Thunderstorms form over the summits most afternoons, which is an argument for early starts rather than for a different month. Carry warm layers — the tops are cold even in a heatwave. Month-by-month season guide for Switzerland
- How many days does it take?
- 6 days at an unhurried pace — 340 km with 7,300 m of ascent through Alpine passes, Switzerland. Strong riders shorten it; we would not. The day-by-day breakdown, with distances and overnight options, is on the full High Meadow Traverse route page.
- How difficult is High Meadow Traverse?
- Demanding. Old pass roads mean steady, well-graded climbing rather than brutal gradients, but the days are long and the altitude is real. Descents are fast and cold. Fitness matters more than technique here.
- What are the roads and surfaces like?
- Old pass roads left quiet since the tunnels opened: steady gradients, good surface, and long alpine descents. Passes are fully open in August; carry warm layers for the tops even on the mildest days.
- How do I get to the start?
- Swiss trains carry bikes to both ends of the traverse, which makes point-to-point riding simple here.
- Where do I download the GPX file, maps and elevation profile?
- On the official route page. Get the GPX for High Meadow Traverse on BicycleMovement — offline maps, the elevation profile and the planning tools are held there too.
The full route
GPX files, offline maps, the elevation profile, day-by-day notes and the planning tools for High Meadow Traverse all live on BicycleMovement. We keep only the season and the reason.
Open the official route pageOpens the official page in a new tab. No signup here, nothing sold here.
