Spanning 1,000 km across Switzerland and over 29,000 m of climbing, the Hope 1000 bikepacking route is steep, yet still very forgiving. Vertical miles lead to singletrack through meadows, crystal clear lakes, abbeys with courtyards, and, of course, stunning views. Here, physical challenge is paired with logistical ease. A bakery or a hot meal is never far, but along the way, you are basically alone among the pristine, natural beauty.
With a four year history, the Hope 1000 is a bikepacking race route that begins in Romanshorn on Lake Constance and ends at the statue of Freddie Mercury in Montreux on Lake Geneva. There are much faster ways to connect these two locations with much less climbing. Instead, the Hope 1000 is a carefully crafted mountain route with at least 30 significant climbs and as many sweeping vistas. The climbs are always steep, but often on quiet paved or well-maintained dirt roads. There is almost no traffic on these roads, and pavement is often a relief as the grades can be extreme. The route breaks you in over time, hitting higher elevations and longer climbs (and more epic scenery) past Finsterwald, the halfway point. The first half of the ride contains only a third of the climbing.
Ride the route at your own pace or sign up for the race in June. It’s a challenge any way you approach it, but also incredibly rewarding. What could be more idyllic than climbing through the Alps past cows with soft bells, through green meadows with wildflowers, and alongside crystal blue lakes? It’s really that good, but you have to work for it.
For more details and to register, visit the official site here.