Participation terms

This challenge is open to all cyclists passionate about gravel riding who wish to take on a self-supported bikepacking adventure to discover Switzerland.

Participation in this challenge is free and requires online registration on this site. Here is a summary of the participation conditions:

  • Be 18 years of age or older, or participate under the responsibility of a legal guardian.
  • Be in good physical condition and accustomed to gravel biking.
  • As the route is quite demanding, prior bikepacking experience on journeys longer than a week is recommended.
  • By participating in this challenge, each rider agrees to ride fully self-supported and to assume complete individual responsibility, both physically and logistically.

The complete challenge rules provide the full details of the participation conditions.

Challenge Rules: “Gravel across Switzerland”

Version: September 23, 2025

Preamble

Like the pioneers of bicycle travel who roamed Switzerland at the end of the 19th century, the Gravel across Switzerland challenge offers a gravel route across the country to be completed self-supported. The goal: explore the country, follow an inspiring track, live an adventure, and join a community of cyclists who love mountain landscapes and the spirit of free effort.

Article 1 : Organization

The challenge is organized by the website gravelXswiss.ch.

Article 2 : Definitions

  • The challenge is a free, non-competitive cycling adventure on a defined gravel track across Switzerland.
  • The participant is called a “challenger.”
  • A challenger becomes a “finisher” if they comply with the conditions set out in these rules.
  • The reference track is the official route provided by the organizers.
  • Achievements such as roamer, explorer, pioneer, endurer, amp’d rider, legend, etc. may be awarded to finishers according to qualitative criteria (see Article 6).

Article 3 : Participation Conditions

  • Open to all adult cyclists.
  • Minors may participate under the responsibility of their legal guardians.
  • A gravel bike or MTB is required (road bikes are not suitable).
  • E-bikes are accepted if declared at registration and will appear in a specific category.
  • Use of a personal GPS device is required (no sharing with other challengers).
  • The GPS must be active during all movements in order to:
    • Follow the official GPX track provided before departure.
    • Validate the challenge and its level of completion.
  • Prior gravel and long-distance experience is recommended.

Article 4 : Registration

  • Registration is done on gravelXswiss.ch.
  • Challengers are free to choose their start date and time. In case of change, it is recommended to inform the organization at least 7 days before departure (due to snow and passes above 2,000m, it is strongly recommended to start between early May and late September).
  • Registration is free.
  • A GPX track of the course will be provided a few days before departure, taking into account recent modifications reported by other challengers.

Article 5 : Challenger Responsibilities

The challenger commits to:

  • The organizers accept no responsibility for accidents or theft.
  • Participate at their own responsibility and expense.
  • Respect traffic laws and the environment.
  • Not enter private or restricted areas. If the route passes through such an area, the challenger must reroute and rejoin the track as soon as possible, and notify the organizers.
  • Be physically and materially self-supported.
  • Hold personal liability insurance.
  • Accident insurance is strongly recommended.

The organizers accept no responsibility for accidents or theft.

Article 6 : Validation Conditions

To become a finisher, the challenger must:

  • Record their ride with GPS and submit the GPX file(s) to the organizers.
  • Follow the official track (start, direction, finish). The ride must match at least 98% of the route.
  • Cover a minimum of 10 km on the track each day.
  • Submit a short written account of the adventure, with photos and links to social media (YouTube, Instagram, etc.) if available.

Article 7 : Rankings and Distinctions

Based on the submitted GPS data, the following will be calculated for each finisher:

  • % of route completed (and km missed)
  • Trip duration in days (calendar days, start to finish)
  • Minimum and maximum daily km covered on the track (midnight to midnight)
  • Maximum daily elevation gain on the track (midnight to midnight)
  • Total km ridden during the challenge (including off-route sections)

Special achievements may be awarded:

  • Amp’d rider: completed with an e-bike (excludes all other titles)
  • Conqueror: at least 50 km per day on the track
  • Roamer: took 15 days or more
  • Champion: 10 days or less with at least 50 km/day
  • Legend: 5 days or less with at least 50 km/day
  • Explorer: covered 1,100 km or more (10% extra vs. official track)
  • Pioneer: among the first 10 to ever complete the challenge
  • Trailblazer: among the first 10 to finish in a given year
  • Endurer: climbed over 3,500 m in a single day on the track

Symbolic prizes or souvenirs may be awarded.

Article 8 : Image Rights and Data Protection

  • Data collected (name, email, age, etc.) is used only for the challenge.
  • Images and stories submitted may be published on the site and used for promotion, unless the participant objects in writing.
  • In accordance with Swiss data protection law, participants may request deletion or modification of their data.

Article 9 : Rule Modifications

The organization reserves the right to:

  • Modify these rules at any time.
  • Modify the route for logistical, environmental, or safety reasons.
  • Refuse validation in case of inappropriate behavior.

Article 10 : Acceptance

Registration for the Gravel across Switzerland challenge implies full acceptance of these rules.