The Valais Alpine Bike (route 41) is a thrilling seven-stage mountain biking adventure that stretches across 317 km of Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes.
This route offers an unparalleled blend of climbing, technical descents, and picturesque villages, making it a great choice for keen cyclists.
Stage 1: Crans-Montana to Leukerbad, Distance: 23km • Ascent: 730m • Descent: 1,580m through lush alpine meadows and dense forests, offering a mix of technical sections and flowing singletracks and the historic spa town of Leukerbad, where you can relax in thermal baths and the Swiss cheese restaurant Sternen.
Stage 2: Leukerbad to UnterbächDistance: 33km • Ascent: 530m • Descent: 2,200m offers a mix of steep climbs and exhilarating descents. The Torrent cable car takes you up to Rinderhütte where you traverse along flowing singletrack towards (Trächu Hittu restaurant for lunch!).
Stage 3: Unterbäch to Grächen. Distance: 33km • Ascent: 1,170m • Descent: 1,655m take the Brandalp chairlift to the Moosalp Pass (and Moosalp restaurant for lunch) then descend on singletrack to Stalden on the valley floor and a bus to Grächen.
Stage 4: Grächen to Brig Distance: 51km • Ascent: 890m • Descent: 2,900m Massive descent to Grächen before later joining the Matterhorn Valley Trail to Stalden for a cable car to Gspon Finish in Brig and visit Stockalper’s Palace.
Stage 5: Brig to Blatten Distance: 16km • Ascent: 1,030m • Descent: 880m Public transport to Goppenstein and ride up to the Lauchernalp gondola station, to Panorama restaurant. Climb towards Netzbord and descend to Blatten. Visit the Lötschentaler Museum to delve into the region’s rich cultural heritage and eat at Edelweiss.
Stage 6: Blatten to St-Luc Distance: 47km • Ascent: 1,315m • Descent: 2,905m Cable car from the previous stage up to Lauchernalp and down a MTB trail to Bietschhorn Bike and Leuk. Bus to St-Luc in Val d’Anniviers, stay and eat at Hôtel Beausite.
Stage 7: St-Luc to Grimentz Distance: 33km • Ascent: 855m • Descent: 2,460m Climb steadily from Zinal, with stunning views of the Valais Alps and descend to Grimentz and eat at restaurant de Moiry
The best time for this route is from late June to early October, when the trails are mostly snow-free and the weather is mild.
This route is suitable for intermediate and experienced mountain bikers with a good level of fitness due to the significant climbs and technical descents.
Top tips: Explore the villages and museums along the way, try Swiss specialties like raclette and ‘assiette valaisanne’ (platter of local products) and look for restaurants bearing “Saveurs du Valais” for Valais specialities. Book accommodation well in advance and visit some bike parks such as Verbier Bike Park and Crans-Montana Bike Park
Valais Alpine Bike: A Sidetracked Guide
Valais Alpine Bike - Full itinerary
Route type: Long Distance Circular