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In summer 2025 Ben Spencer and Peter Smorthit crossed the Swiss Alps in manual wheelchairs. They covered the 420-kilometre route with 6,000 metres of elevation gain in 18 days.
- 7 Minutes of reading time
- 20 April 2026
- Frieda Laura
Ben Spencer and Peter Smorthit came to Switzerland last summer from the United Kingdom with a special mission: They became the first to cross the Swiss Alps in manual wheelchairs. On their route they covered around 420 kilometres and over 6,000 metres of elevation gain in 18 days. Even the renowned British newspaper “The Independent” reported on their incredible tour.
Besides Ben and Peter's story, this blog post includes practical ideas for training and planning, as well as tips for your own wheelchair adventures.
Extreme athletes in wheelchairs
Who are the two friends behind this record? Ben was diagnosed with ataxia in 2022, after having experienced symptoms for 15 years. Since then, he has worked to raise awareness of the condition. This has included his participation in the London Marathon and the 16.5-hour ascent of Mount Snowdon in Wales in 2023.
Peter suffered a spinal cord injury at age 19 when scaffolding collapsed on a construction site. He has been paraplegic ever since. In the years since, he has completed more than 200 marathons and 150 ultramarathons in a wheelchair.
The short Instagram video shows the ascent of Peter and Ben to the Gotthard Pass. The two friends draw attention to Ben’s rare neurological condition, ataxia. (Photo: scene from the video)
Fight against visible and invisible barriers
At the beginning of July 2025, the adventure began in Vevey (VD), Switzerland. The route took Ben and Peter over the Furka Pass and the old Gotthard Pass road to Como, Italy. Here you can see the exact wheelchair route across the Alps.
The route of the Alpine crossing ran from Vevey in Switzerland to Como in Italy. (Photo: https://alps4ataxia.com)
The tour presented Ben and Peter with sporting, logistical, and mental challenges. Right at the start, a heatwave in the Rhône Valley significantly slowed their progress. Steep climbs and long uphill sections demanded enormous reserves of strength.
Ben recalls that there was an off-road section on the EuroVelo route full of large tree roots and boulders. There Peter had to move along on his backside and drag his chair behind him. Ben himself had to lean over the backrest of his chair and try to walk a few metres—or rather, to stumble. The two of them took several hours to get across that 800-metre section.
During their Alpine crossing Ben and Peter reached the Aletsch Arena in Valais. (Photo: Wheelchair Across the Alps Press Photos)
When asked “If you could change something about the route, what would it be?” Ben answers: “Accessibility.” He explains: “Our adventure was extreme. It was therefore clear that it would highlight the challenges for people with disabilities and expose the obstacles to travel. On site, however, we found that the challenges were the same ones we encounter in our everyday environment. The campsites did not have suitable toilets or washing facilities. Ramps were missing or there were steps blocking the way. With little effort these paths could be made accessible to wheelchair users with the right equipment.”
18 stages in 18 days: On Instagram Peter and Ben shared daily impressions of their journey, marked by endurance, courage and unforgettable moments. In the Instagram reel you can see Peter riding down the Furka Pass. (Photo: Wheelchair Across the Alps Press Photos, video scene)
Mental and financial challenges
The biggest obstacles, however, were not only on the route. Ben emphasizes: “The barriers to travel for people with disabilities are physical, but also psychological. Leaving the familiar environment and the safety of one’s own home is a big step.”
Mental preparation was therefore crucial. Ben explains: “If you prepare yourself for problems to occur on the way, you learn to accept them — and you’re already halfway there.” Still, the sobering reality remains: “There should be no barriers. The world should be accessible to everyone. But the reality is that they must be overcome.”
In addition to the physical and psychological hurdles, there were also financial burdens. Adventure travel in a wheelchair is associated with significant costs and requires a lot of self-organization. For their adventure, Ben and Peter needed 18 days of planning and preparation and had to raise around CHF 8,000, including travel to and from the United Kingdom.
“From the point where I didn’t want to travel at all to this adventure, it’s been a long journey. It showed me – and I hope it shows other people with disabilities too – that anyone can do it.”
Ben Spencer
Peter on day 13 on the old Gotthard road. This Instagram video shows more impressions from the route. (Photo: Wheelchair Across the Alps Press Photos, video scene)
Training and planning for wheelchair tours
Crossing the Alps in a wheelchair is an extreme challenge that requires thorough preparation. Ben and Peter regularly train their endurance and upper-body strength by competing in several marathons each year. In addition, they undertake specialized mountain training to prepare for long climbs and uneven terrain.
Technical aids such as stationary wheelchair trainers or upper-body ergometers can also help to systematically improve fitness and technique. For those interested, there are structured training plans such as the London Marathon's wheelchair training plan.
But not every Alpine tour requires such extensive preparation. Some accessible routes are beautifully scenic and can be completed without marathon training. One example is the Wysswasser Trail, which is one of Ben and Peter's favourites.
They discovered this route on the EuroVelo website. However, they emphasize that not every cycling route is automatically suitable for wheelchairs. It’s always advisable to check in advance whether a route is actually wheelchair accessible.
Helpful platforms are available for successful planning. SchweizMobil lists over 80 barrier-free routes with detailed information on length, surface and connections. Procap (German and French only) also offers routes checked in cooperation with SchweizMobil, which can be navigated barrier-free using the MyWay Pro app (iOS only).
Conclusion: With targeted training, appropriate equipment, and careful route selection, a wheelchair adventure can be realistically prepared. The focus should be on the experience, not on setting records.
Ben's insights on crossing the Alps in a wheelchair
In an Instagram interview, Ben tells us about his personal experiences on the trip:
What was the most beautiful moment?
“For some it’s the Alpine passes or the view from the Aletsch Glacier. For me it was the ice cream at Riva Pubblica di Morcote on Lake Lugano. It was beautiful, not just because of the view, but also because it was so accessible. We knew, now we can do it!”
What was the most difficult moment?
“Shortly before the finish I got a urinary tract infection, in 35 °C and after days full of climbs. I was completely exhausted, but my motto was to never give up!”
If you could change something about the route, what would it be?
“Accessibility. Period. There were sections with roots and rocks where Peter had to drag his wheelchair — it was brutal.”
What has motivated you the most?
“I wanted to show that giving up is not an option and that people with disabilities are capable of incredible achievements.”
Were there any encounters that stayed with you?
“Countless! At the Gotthard Pass many people stopped, stared in amazement, and congratulated us. That was incredibly motivating.”
What would you wish for the future?
“More accessibility. Ramps instead of steps, adapted/accessible pathways. Many obstacles are unnecessary and could easily be removed.”
Eight tips for an accessible adventure
Ben and Peter have shown that adventures in a wheelchair are possible. It doesn't have to be an Alpine crossing, though. This checklist is intended to inspire you and show how you can approach your own adventure:
- Start small: Not every trip has to be a record. Even a day trip on an obstacle-free route can be a great experience.
- Overcome psychological barriers: Courage means leaving your comfort zone—even if it's just a small challenge.
- Plan your own trips: Customized tours are often cheaper and better tailored to your individual needs.
- Inform yourself well: Check in advance whether campsites are accessible and what infrastructure is available.
“There were sections of the EuroVelo route that were full of roots and rocks. Peter had to pull his wheelchair and I had to make my way forward meter by meter. You should never assume a route is wheelchair-accessible.”
Ben Spencer
- Seek support: Travel with friends, family, or a community — it provides safety and encouragement.
“We had so many people supporting us along the way and from home. That carried us especially through the most difficult moments.”
Ben Spencer
- Check your equipment: Whether a wheelchair, handbike, or Swiss-Trac, the right gear and proper maintenance make the trip easier.
“The cooling vest helped Peter enormously in the heat, as he suffers from autonomic dysreflexia. Water bottle holders, spare tires, tools, and a GPS device were also important. Without all of that, we wouldn't have made it.”
Ben Spencer
- Consider financing: Grants, sponsorships, or foundations can help cover high costs.
- Stay flexible: Obstacles along the way are normal. Those who remain open to changing plans experience the most delightful surprises.
“Once Peter's axle broke in the middle of nowhere. We thought that was it. But suddenly a Bosch service van appeared, and the mechanic helped us with tools. It was providential.”
Ben Spencer
Which wheelchair adventure would you like to experience someday? Tell us about it.
