Radklassiker Chur-Arosa

Once a year, the Schanfigg road turns into one of the most storied mountain stages in Swiss cycling. On 13 September 2026, hundreds of riders set off from Chur and climb 29.3 kilometres and 1,191 metres of elevation up to Arosa, finishing at the Obersee. The Radklassiker has been a fixture on the Swiss racing calendar since 1981, and this year marks its 44th edition, run alongside the National Handbike Cup.

The event

The main race starts at the Raiffeisenbank on Bahnhofplatz in Chur and winds through almost 365 bends across the Schanfigg region up to Arosa. Riders roll out at 11:00 and reach the finish at the Obersee from around 12:03, with timing handled electronically by Datasport. It is a genuine mountain hillclimb: a steady, unrelenting gradient from valley floor to alpine village, ridden by ambitious amateurs and seasoned racers alike.

Running alongside the Radklassiker is the Swiss mountain championship for handbike and Standing athletes, part of the National Handbike Cup. This race starts at 10:30 from the Werkhof in St. Peter, covering 17 kilometres and 488 metres of elevation, and it also finishes at the Obersee with one additional lap. Award ceremonies begin around 12:30 at the finish area in Arosa, staggered by category into the early afternoon. If you are not riding yourself, the roadside or the shores of the Obersee make a fine spot to cheer the athletes on, and the finish area stays lively well past the last rider.

Practical information

When: Sunday 13 September 2026. The main race starts at 11:00 in Chur; the handbike and Standing race starts at 10:30 from St. Peter.
Where: Start at the Raiffeisenbank on Bahnhofplatz in Chur, finish at the Obersee in Arosa.
Distances: 29.3 km with 1,191 m of climbing for the main race; 17 km with 488 m for the handbike and Standing race.
Entry: Online registration closes Saturday 12 September 2026 at 23:59. Late entry is possible on-site until 10:00 for a CHF 20 fee, and helmets are mandatory.
Getting there: The finish at the Obersee is a few minutes' walk from the hotel, so you can reach the action on foot.

Plan your stay

Altein, a Faern Collection Resort, sits in the centre of Arosa just a few minutes' walk from the finish area at the Obersee, an easy base for race day whether you are riding or watching. Arrive the evening before to settle in, then walk down to the lakeside to see the first riders crest the climb. Your free Arosa Card is valid on the local bus and on the railway down the Schanfigg as far as Lüen-Castiel, so you can also follow the race from lower down the climb. Afterwards, ease tired legs in the spa, with its indoor pool, saunas and steam room, and refuel in the restaurants and bars without needing to travel. Come and experience the climb to Arosa with us in Arosa.