Spar Swiss Epic Stage 2 - 16 AUG 2023

Stage 2 waves goodbye to Lenzerheide, but not before a short jaunt across Lake Heidsee; from 4km to 23km, the route trends downhill and takes in the forest trail from Tschividains to Alvaschein which presents amazing views across the valley to Zorten and Muldain towards Alvaneu. Flat and fast kilometres along the river Albula follow and offer a chance for the legs to awaken before the day’s 22-kilometre-long climb arrives. 

The Albula Pass Strasse, along the UNESCO World Heritage section of the Rhaetian Railway, runs as near as possible to the Albula railway, regularly affording enchanting open views of a 100-plus-year-old artwork in stunning Alpine scenery and terrains. Teams pass the tanzenden Hexen von Bellaluna (dancing witches of Bellaluna), the unspoiled alpine village of Bergün, lavishly decorated with sgraffito, frescoes, and oriel windows and the 800-year-old Romanesque church and Roman tower that lie at the foot of the Albula Pass at the gateway to the Engadine. With these views, and the helical tunnels between Bergün and Preda, as well as the postcard-worthy view of the Lej da Palpuegna, the long climb to the summit of the Albula Pass never gets boring. 

Once atop Albula Pass, the hard work is rewarded in the form of the Albula Trail, a perfect mtb trail with flow, jumps, and incredible views. After 9 kilometres and 625 vertical metres of descending, flat and fast kilometres (provided there is no wind) from Bever to Pontresina along the Inn and Flaz rivers follow. This section is a real treat for the eyes as teams are surrounded by the majestic Engadin mountains and the wide valley. One final climb, the Moor Plateau Alp da Staz through 1000-year-old Swiss stone pine forests, arrives right at the end of the day to ensure no teams are not too relaxed when they cross the finish line in St. Moritz.