Tannenbodenalp (Flumserberg) Bike Climb from Walenstadt and Flums

Switzerland Tannenbodenalp

Tannenbodenalp Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

17.8

PDI

10.7 mi

DISTANCE

3,245 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

5.7 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Helmuth Dekkers, Netherlands

INTRO

Tannenbodenalp is the top village of Flumserberg, the resort terrace above Flums in the Sarganserland, and the largest winter sports area between Chur and Zurich. Our route starts in Walenstadt at 417 m (1368 ft) and covers 17.1 km (10.7 mi), gaining 989 m (3245 ft) to finish at 1387 m (4550 ft). The 5.7% average is misleading: the first 6.5 km (4.0 mi) are a flat warm-up along the valley floor to Flums, and the climb proper - 10.6 km (6.6 mi) at 8.8% - only starts once you turn uphill there.

Helmuth Dekkers, who rode it for us in 2020, describes a road that climbs in a series of hairpins with long straights of 1-2 km (0.6-1.2 mi) between them, always opening up the view behind you to the jagged limestone teeth of the Churfirsten across the Walensee. The grade sits close to 8.5% for most of the way, and the hardest section comes just before Tannenheim, with 2 km (1.2 mi) at more than 10%. From there it is about 2 km (1.2 mi) at 8% to the top, where you can sit down at a restaurant for coffee or lunch and enjoy the view.

The road is wide and smooth, and because Flumserberg is a busy resort in both winter and summer, you won't have it to yourself. The payoff is a genuinely hard, steady climb - the final 10 km (6.2 mi) average 9.1% - with a big alpine panorama for most of the way up. It ranks #1259 on our list of the world's hardest climbs.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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Our route covers 17.1 km (10.7 mi) from 417 m (1368 ft) in Walenstadt to 1387 m (4550 ft) at Tannenbodenalp, a gain of 989 m (3245 ft) at an average of 5.7%.

The first 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from Walenstadt to Flums gain only about 35 m (115 ft) and average 0.5%. From Flums the climb is steady and relentless: 10.6 km (6.6 mi) at 8.8%, with almost every kilometer between 8% and 10%. The hardest stretch comes around Tannenheim, where two consecutive kilometers average 10.6% and one reaches 11.2%. The last kilometer into Tannenbodenalp eases to about 7%.

The steepest 0.5 km (0.3 mi) averages 12.2%, the steepest 1 km (0.6 mi) 11.4%, the steepest mile (1.6 km) 10.9%, the steepest 2 km (1.2 mi) 10.7%, the steepest 5 km (3.1 mi) 9.7% and the steepest 10 km (6.2 mi) 9.1%.

Roadway: Paved the entire way. The valley section between Walenstadt and Flums is flat, and the Flumserbergstrasse from Flums to Tannenbodenalp is a wide resort road with smooth asphalt in very good condition, climbing in long switchbacks with little shade. Riders who want more can continue about 3 km (1.9 mi) beyond Tannenbodenalp to the Prodalp at 1576 m (5171 ft), but that extension is a narrow alpine road with a short unpaved stretch just before the top.

Traffic: Moderate. The Flumserbergstrasse is the only road up to a busy year-round resort, so expect steady car traffic, especially on weekends and when the lifts are running, plus the PostBus line from Flums. Early mornings, or late spring before the summer lift season starts in June, are the quietest times to ride.

Parking: Walenstadt, the start, is covered on our Schrina - Hochrugg page. Flums is the practical alternative if you want to skip the flat valley run: it has a railway station on the Zurich-Chur line and puts you right at the foot of the climb. At the top, Flumserberg has a large car park in the village center around 1350 m (4429 ft).

Gear: With more than 10 km (6.2 mi) at close to 9% and ramps above 12%, low gearing matters - a compact crankset with a 32 or 34 tooth largest cog makes the climb far more manageable. It is almost entirely exposed, so on summer afternoons bring sun protection, and pack a layer for the descent from nearly 1400 m (4593 ft).

Provisions: Walenstadt and Flums both have shops and cafes for a pre-ride stop. Tannenheim and Tannenbodenalp are resort villages with restaurants and hotels, so food and drink are easy to find at the top. In summer the PostBus from Flums carries bikes on a rear rack, with mandatory bike reservations - useful if you only want to ride one way.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

The valley section between Walenstadt and Flums is worth a slower look. Above Berschis, on the St. Georgenberg hill, the little chapel of St. Georg sits at 588 m (1929 ft) with a wide view over the Seez valley. It was consecrated in 1502, and excavations suggest the hill was already settled in the late Bronze Age. Just outside Flums, the ruins of Gräpplang Castle, built around 1100-1200 and owned by the Tschudi family from 1528 to 1767, are a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Up top, Flumserberg is a full summer resort: the Floomzer summer toboggan run, hiking from the Maschgenkamm, and the SeeJet gondola that drops from Tannenboden via Oberterzen down to Unterterzen on the shore of the Walensee. Conditions at nearly 1400 m (4593 ft) can be very different from the valley floor, so check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.