The Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet has once again proven its position as one of the most important Alpine marathons. For the edition on 6 September 2025, all 3,250 starting places were taken just ten days after registration opened in September 2024. The traditional cycling marathon with almost 50 years of history starts and finishes in Andermatt and takes participants over some of the most challenging Alpine passes in Switzerland. Depending on the route chosen - platinum, gold, silver or bronze - the cyclists cover between 108 and 267 kilometres and 3100 to 6800 metres in altitude. 74 per cent of participants come from Switzerland and 18 per cent travel from Germany. The event is particularly popular with cycling enthusiasts aged between 30 and 39. The proportion of women is just under 20 per cent and shows an upward trend.
Alpine brevet for every performance level
The most demanding challenge is the Platinum Tour with 267 kilometres and 6800 metres in altitude. On this route, participants cross five legendary Alpine passes: Susten, Grimsel, Nufenen, Lukmanier and Oberalp. The Gold Tour covers 212 kilometres with an altitude difference of 5000 metres and leads over four passes: Oberalp, Lukmanier, Nufenen and Furka. For less ambitious cyclists, the silver tour is suitable with 108 kilometres and 3100 metres of altitude difference, which leads over three passes: Gotthard, Nufenen and Furka. The descent from the Gotthard is not via the historic Tremola road, but via the main road towards Airolo. There is also a bronze tour for connoisseurs.
Tourist added value for the Alpine regions
The Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet connects several Swiss cantons and thus creates added value for the entire region. The routes lead from Bern over the Grimsel Pass into Valais and via the Nufenen or Furka Pass to Uri or into Ticino and Graubünden. Every year, thousands of cycling enthusiasts travel to Andermatt and the neighbouring regions. The high level of participant loyalty is remarkable: around 50 per cent of participants return every year. Almost a third of the Swiss participants come from the canton of Zurich.
Alpenbrevet Extended for a personalised experience
The Alpenbrevet has been added since 2024 Extended the main event and extends the cycling experience throughout the summer. With this digital extension, cyclists can ride up to seven legendary Alpine passes around Andermatt individually between May and October. Participation in the extended format is free of charge and only requires registration on the website and a link to a platform such as Strava or Garmin Connect. The recorded activities must be publicly visible. As an incentive, attractive prizes will be raffled off among all participants who conquer at least three Alpine passes, including ten starting places for the Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet 2026, an overnight stay at The Chedi Hotel in Andermatt and VIP tickets for the Verve Festival Andermatt on 7 December 2025.
Alpenbrevet registration for 2026
Registration for the 2026 edition will open seven days after the Alpenbrevet 2025. Due to the high demand and rapid sell-out in previous years, the organiser recommends making a note of the registration date well in advance. "For many, the Alpenbrevet is the highlight of their cycling year. The enthusiasm that is generated goes far beyond the sport and strengthens the tourist appeal of the Alpine regions," emphasises Philipp Avenell, Head of Communications at Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
