Runda Curnera

The route starts in Disentis (1129 m above sea level), whose townscape is shaped by the imposing Benedictine monastery. From here, you tackle the east ramp of the Oberalp Pass, a true classic among Swiss alpine passes. The ascent begins gently, allowing your legs to warm up. Only after Sedrun (1406 m above sea level) do the first steep ramps typical of the Alps await. The road now snakes downhill, with the Vorderrhein always to the left. After passing the picturesque pass village of Tschamut (1643 m above sea level), top-class hairpin bends await. The switchbacks effortlessly melt away the last altitude meters to the Oberalp pass summit (2046 m above sea level). At the pass summit stands the only lighthouse in the Alps, marking the source of the Rhine as an homage to the Rhine’s mouth in Rotterdam.

The just-climbed hairpin bends are even more fun going downhill, yet you should take a short break to admire the panorama. At a curve, turn left onto a small road (1830 m above sea level). Shortly afterwards, you pass a barrier that poses no obstacle to road bikers but keeps unwanted motorized traffic away. The following climb to Lai da Curnera is a hidden tip. It is short but a pleasure to enjoy. The dam at Lai da Curnera (1958 m above sea level) invites you to linger, and the surrounding three-thousand-meter peaks fully immerse you in the high-alpine atmosphere. The descent back to Disentis is fast and demands concentration. But beware: with headwind, this downhill section can still sweat some drops from you.