Engadin cycle marathon - Route 1

Zernez (4829 ft), in the Swiss canton Graubünden, is the starting point of the 4347 ft (altitude difference) and 60.3 mile long first section of the Engadin cycle marathon around the Chiba Cup of the Alps.

We leave off at the far end of the village in the direction of the Ofen Pass and begin a 3.72 mile long climb, with an average gradient of 8 %, up to the little pass, the Ova Pass at a height of 6070 ft above sea level.

Afterwards we cycle in a terrific speed downhill to Punt la Dossa (5607ft) and the junction to Livigno.

We turn to the right and cycle through the 11105 ft long Munt-la-Schera-Tunnel, from where we continue via the 426.5 ft high dam wall of Lago di Livigno further alongside its bank where after 8.7 miles we reach the duty-free municipality of Livigno (5958ft) in the Italian province Sondrio.

In Livigno we don´t use the road pointing in the direction of Bormio via the Passo d´Eira, but cycle straight ahead through Valle di Livigno to the next pass on this tour, the Forcola di Livigno at 7595 ft above sea level.

Now we start quite relaxed with the 7.5 mile long, and at the beginning easy climb, up to the pass, which is at the same time the border between Italy and Switzerland.

After approx. 4.4 miles the climb increases significantly to 6%, until shortly before the Forcorola di Livigno-Pass it even rises to 8%.

After the border crossing we come to a short steep descent, through a wild romantic rocky landscape, to the Bernina pass road. We turn to the right and follow this road through a few bends up to the Bernina Pass at 7664 ft above sea level.

Passing Lago Bianco and two smaller tarns we ride on a long and scenic stretch down to Pontresina (5922 ft).

After further 1.86 miles we turn to the right and follow the 17.4 mile long road N. 27 to Zernez (4830 ft), our target.

Distance: ca. 90 km

Length: 175 Minutes

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