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.

Starting at the top of the funicular in Crans-Montana and winding its way to the charming village of Grimentz in the Val d’Anniviers, the route takes riders through a diverse mix of terrains and environments. From the lush, green meadows and dense forests to the rugged, rocky paths and serene alpine pastures, each stage promises a unique and exhilarating experience.

The route not only challenges your biking skills but also immerses you in the natural beauty and rich heritage of the Valais region. Whether you’re seeking some thrilling mountain biking or out to enjoy the captivating scenery, this route offers an unforgettable journey through some of Switzerland’s most iconic landscapes.

THE STAGES

STAGE ONE: Crans-Montana to Leukerbad
Distance: 23km • Ascent: 730m • Descent: 1,580m

The journey begins in the resort town of Crans-Montana, known for its stunning views of the open panorama on 18 peaks above 4000m, including the Matterhorn and Mont-Blanc. The trail takes you through lush alpine meadows and dense forests, offering a mix of technical sections and flowing singletracks. A highlight is La Tièche plateau, with its stream bed coming from a close-by waterfall. Another highlight of this stage is the descent into the historic spa town of Leukerbad, where you can relax in thermal baths after a challenging ride. Leukerbad is renowned for its natural hot springs, and a visit to the Leukerbad Therme is a great way to unwind. In the evening, head to Restaurant Sternen, a traditional Swiss restaurant featuring many cheese specialities.

STAGE TWO: Leukerbad to Unterbäch
Distance: 33km • Ascent: 530m • Descent: 2,200m

This stage features a mix of steep climbs and exhilarating descents. Starting at Leukerbad, the Torrent cable car takes you up to Rinderhütte (2300m). From here you traverse along flowing singletrack towards Restaurant Trächu Hittu (which is a great stop for lunch!) The route winds down towards the Rhone Valley, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. From here the descent into is fast, technical and fun. Once down in the valley, explore the vineyards and the charming old towns along the Rhone.

STAGE THREE: Unterbäch to Grächen
Distance: 33km • Ascent: 1,170m • Descent: 1,655m

After breakfast (and perhaps a couple of coffees) in Unterbäch, first take the Brandalp chairlift up into the mountains and then it’s climbing time. Work your way up to the Moosalp Pass for some well-earned views at the top. The Moosalp restaurant makes a fantastic lunch stop (and we highly recommend the raclette from here!). The descent from here is long and flowing with fun single track taking down to the valley floor in Stalden. From here it’s onto St. Niklaus and then pick up a bus to Grächen.

STAGE FOUR: Grächen to Brig
Distance: 51km • Ascent: 890m • Descent: 2,900m

This stage is characterised by a massive descent towards Mattsand on the enduro route. From the village of Grächen, head towards Gasenried on a rural road before it’s fun downhill time. The Mattsand links up with the Matterhorn Valley Trail and heads to Stalden. Jump on the cable car up to Gspon to regain altitude before it’s back to pedal power to continue up to the 2201m Gibidumpass and lake. From here it’s a fine and fairly straightforward trail down towards Brig. The town is quite large with many restaurants and hotels. We highly recommend a visit to the Stockalper’s Palace in the town centre.

STAGE FIVE: Brig to Blatten (Lötschen Valley)
Distance: 16km • Ascent: 1,030m • Descent: 880m

From Brig you can use public transport to head to Goppenstein and on to Wiler before the first of the day’s climbing begins as you ride up to the gondola station in Lauchernalp. At the top of the lift, we recommend a coffee stop at the newly renovated Panoramarestaurant Lauchernalp with a breathtaking view on the Bietschhorn, before a steady climb up towards Netzbord where today’s descent takes you down to Blatten. After the ride, visit the Lötschentaler Museum to delve into the region’s rich cultural heritage. For dining, try Restaurant Edelweiss for a taste of local cuisine.

STAGE SIX: Blatten (Lötschen Valley) to St-Luc (Val d’Anniviers)
Distance: 47km • Ascent: 1,315m • Descent: 2,905m

Head back to the cable car from the previous stage and then up to Lauchernalp. Today’s downhill section is the Bietschhorn Bike – a new trail developed for mountain biking and is wonderfully flowy rather than technical and descends the Lötschental Alps towards Faldumalp before the vineyards along the Rhone Valley and into the old town of Leuk. Stop here for refreshments before jumping aboard a post bus to take you to St-Luc in Val d’Anniviers. For dinner and accommodation for the evening, we visited Hôtel Beausite.

STAGE SEVEN: St-Luc to Grimentz (Val d’Anniviers)
Distance: 33km • Ascent: 855m • Descent: 2,460m

The final stage is a fitting end to the adventure, featuring some of the most spectacular scenery of the entire route. The trail climbs steadily from Zinal, offering panoramic views of the Valais Alps. The descent into Grimentz is a highlight, with fast, flowing singletracks that bring you into the picturesque village of Grimentz, known for its traditional wooden houses and vibrant flowers. Grimentz is a beautiful village with a rich history. Visit the local museum to learn about the village’s heritage or take a stroll through its charming streets. For dining, try Restaurant de Moiry which offers a delightful mix of local and international dishes.

GOOD TO KNOW

Best Time to Visit: 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. Some years it might be possible to start sooner and ride it later.

Fitness Level: This route is suitable for intermediate and experienced mountain bikers with a good level of fitness due to the significant climbs and technical descents.

Trail Conditions: Trail conditions can vary, so be prepared for everything from smooth singletracks to rocky, technical sections.

Navigation: A GPS device or a detailed map is recommended as some sections of the trail are quite remote and you may miss the occasional signpost.

SUGGESTED KIT LIST

Bike: A well-maintained mountain bike, preferably full suspension.
Safety Gear: Helmet, gloves, optional knee and elbow pads.
Clothing: Layered clothing suitable for variable weather conditions, including a waterproof jacket.
Footwear: Sturdy cycling shoes with good grip.
Hydration: Hydration pack or water bottles. It is easy to collect more water on the trail.
Tools and Spares: Basic tools and spares to fix punctures and minor issues. Bike shops are easy to find in the region for more serious mechanicals.
Navigation: GPS device or detailed map of the route. The route is waymarked at larger junctions.
First Aid Kit: Basic first aid supplies for minor injuries.
Snacks: high-energy snacks to last two-four hours.
Sunscreen and Sunglasses: To protect against sun exposure at high altitudes.
Evening Wear: Comfortable clothes for evenings in hotels or guest houses.

For more kit and preparation advice visit valais.ch/en/explore/inspiration/mountain-bike/preparing-for-mountain-bike-outings

USEFUL RESOURCES

Valais Alpine Bike stages: visitvalais.ch/valaisalpinebike-tour
To book the Valais Alpine Bike offer: visitvalais.ch/shop-valaisalpinebike
Valais Mountain bike routes: visitvalais.ch/bike
Book your bike transport conveniently and easily in advance via Resabike: www.resabike.ch
Share the Trails: visitvalais.ch/coexistence

Highlights, Places to Stay, and Restaurants

The Valais Alpine Bike Route offers numerous highlights beyond the riding itself. We suggest you take time to explore the charming villages along the routes that offer a mix of cultural experiences, local foods and incredible locally produced wines. When it comes to dining, don’t miss the chance to try Swiss specialties like Raclette and ‘assiette valaisanne’ (platter of local products). At restaurants bearing the “Saveurs du Valais” label, you can try Valais specialities and enjoy Valais wines.

Accommodation options range from luxurious hotels to cosy guest houses. It’s worth checking the routes for each day and we highly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance.

More things to do in Valais

Hiking
Valais is a hiker’s paradise with close to 9,000km of marked trails that cater to all levels of fitness and experience. From leisurely strolls through vineyards and picturesque villages to challenging high-altitude treks, there is something for everyone. Popular trails include the Haute Route, which stretches from Chamonix to Zermatt, offering stunning views of the Matterhorn and Mont-Blanc. The Great Aletsch Glacier trail is another must-do, taking you along the largest glacier in the Alps.

Bike Parks and Flow Trails
Valais is a paradise for mountain biking enthusiasts, especially those seeking the thrill of bike parks and flow trails. The region has several world-class bike parks that cater to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders. Verbier Bike Park is a standout, offering a diverse range of trails, including smooth flow trails, technical descents, and jumps. The Crans-Montana Bike Park is another favourite, with meticulously maintained trails that wind through stunning alpine scenery. These bike parks all have extensive and modern lift systems, allowing riders to maximise their downhill runs without the effort of uphill climbs. Bike rentals and lessons are available at the parks to ensure you get the most out of your park days.

Road Cycling
Whether in the Rhone Valley or high up in the mountains: Valais offers a great diversity of cycle routes to match everyone’s needs, from Lake Geneva to the Rhone Glacier, from the valley floor all the way up to the fascinating Alpine passes. The 10 stages of Valais Cycling Tour criss-cross the Valais on cycling paths of exceptional variety. A real pleasure for those who wish to discover the canton on two wheels.

Gastronomy and wine tourism
Fine aromas, intensely flavoured fruits, rare spices and golden cereals are the result of thousands of hours of sunshine that turn the Valais into a garden full of tasty delights and make it a source of inspiration for gourmet chefs throughout the land. Around one third of Swiss wine is produced in the impressive vineyards of the Valais. Therefore the region also offers a wide range of wine-related activities. Discover the numerous wine cellars and oenotheques and taste the excellent wines.

Natural parks
Two sites in Valais have gained the official classification of Regional Nature Park. The Pfyn-Finges nature park is home to a great diversity of animal species and encompasses one of the country’s largest wine-growing regions. The Binntal (Binn valley) nature park, meanwhile, is renowned for its wealth of minerals. The site offers the spectacle of a natural landscape in its wild state extending from the mountain summits to the village limits.