Hello
Heading to Raron in the summer (very close to Visp). Looking to do a combination of mountain biking with the family, some more rugged longer trails and possibly local bike parks. Lift accessed and pedal up all good.
I am staying in a camper van so use of public transport/pedal power preferable to access trails, rather than driving (and de-camping). There look to be a few trails accessed from the valley between Sierre and Morel.
Does anyone have any tips/recommendations for the specific area?
Yep plenty of good biking. Checkout the Swiss singletrail maps. Heading up to gspon (take lift if you must) gives plenty of good riding. Heading overto Simplon and down to Brig makes an epic day. Similarly the south side also looks good tho I've done very little over there. In summer it may be very hot.
Bear in mind the valley will be very hot in summer and poss windy. It wouldn't be my choice of place to stay. The simplonblick campsite has never looked appealing. Actually I'm understating that it looks God awful.
Thanks NealC. Have unfortunately not had much time to research the riding locally, but it looks interesting.
We are staying at Camping Santa Monica, which was recommended. Although that is not going to address the heat/wind issue you mentioned.
I have tended to stay in Verbier and ride in those valleys, but to give an idea of heat, i have been in Sion when it's 35+ and it feels hotter, i always find it a little odd seeing the wild cactuses growing around the Tourbillion. and up at the Glaciers it's mid teens. A lot of the cable cars, and the telesiege will take bikes, either hanging outside, or for the larger ones inside. Buses often have racks, and trains seem generally ok, but you are meant to buy a ticket for the bike.
Sorry hope I've not put a dampner on things! The riding is great in pretty much every direction from there. It's just not where I'd choose, although it does seem to get good review, so maybe I'm the odd one out. I don't know how fixed you are to that campsite but the campsites up in saas grund or lotschental could be worth a look. Staying down in the main valley there Is a site by the brigerbad thermal baths.
NealC - Many thanks for your tips so far. And no worries, all feedback is good feedback!
Just by any chance in case you know the answer, I tried looking for a Singletrail Map (107) online and they seem to be out of stock; do you know if these are available elsewhere by any chance: Singletrailmap 107 ?
I think I could download a pdf version but didn’t know if these are available in local shops etc.
If you can get to Sierre, you can then take the funicular up to Crans Montana, then lifts up out of the town to access some good riding. Have a look at Plaine Morte VTT for a fairly epic ride (where snow is more likely to be an issue than heat). Trailforks will show you some other routes down to the valley from above Crans (I can recommend one called 'Italian' that Bike Verbier used to guide).
'The Brazilian' used to be a classic route on the south side of the Rhone Valley from near Sierra that has easy lift access from the valley. But it may now be off limits due to national park rules. Others on here will know better than me.
Can you get to Leukerbad? I havent been, but heard good things about the riding up there.
Sorry no particular help. Tbh I've never found a decent bike shop, although there is one just this side of sion.
Ciclissimo Valais
+41 27 205 70 00
https://maps.app.goo.gl/i5AxZThhpGDuHZbf7
The other map is https://www.mapsworldwide.com/cycling-maps-c1818/hallwag-kummerley-frey-cycling-in-switzerland-map-21-upper-valais-p33477
But it isn't as good. I believe trailforkz is pretty good in the area, not something I've used.
The best trail I have ridden in that area is Nesselloop trail from Belalp. Access with Postbus and gondola. There are a few trails around that gondola, so you can do a few laps, and then head out for the bigger trail.
Torrent trail from Leukerbad is fun. Access with post bus and gondola. Similar setup with other trails at the gondola, although I haven't ridden them.
The Brazilian was only ok. We were stopped by the park ranger who said that even carrying bikes through the restricted area at the top was not allowed. Seems crazy, but there are better options anyway.
I have heard recommendations of the bikepark at Bellwald, but I have never been.
I have done the Simplon pass trail, both directions in a day, 2x shuttle with the postbus. It's an ok day ride, but not loved by everyone.
There are some nice steep natural trails above Crans Montana, but I'm not sure what I rode. I want to return to ride Plain Mort... Maybe this summer 🤔
Radsport Zenger AG
027 924 31 58
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CuVH3NTeSKZF29v28
This shop was pretty good for me last year. Good selection of tyres etc. They also gave some route advice, but mostly self propelled routes.
I had a very poor welcome from the Brigerbad campsite, although the site and facilities were ok. Camping Gaschina is the one I would use again, and very handy for the town.
For bike shops, I found Ken's Bike Shop in Visp to be brilliant when I needed new tubeless valves.
I did most of my riding around Zermatt and Täsch but for family riding you could ride the Matterhorn Trail which runs between Visp and Zermatt. I really liked a chilled out and back from Visp to St Niklaus. If you want to come down to Zermatt then a Gornergrat or Trockener Steg descent are awesome, or the Europaweg from Sunnegga to Täsch. Amazing views.
