Mountain bike tours

Valais Alpine Bike 2. Leukerbad-Unterbäch

Panorama vom Torrenttrail

Leukerbad

This stage is an extremely varied trail on a beautiful flowy route with panoramic views high above Leukerbad in the direction of Jeizinen, followed by a rocky descent to Gampel.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

32.97 km

Duration

4:15 h

Description

Starting at Leukerbad, the Torrent cable car takes you to Rinderhütte, standing at an altitude of over 2,300 metres. The route starts off right next to the lift station and follows the Torrenttrail Bike route, a flowy single trail with panoramic views over the 4,000-metre-high peaks of Valais and the Rhône Valley. After a section along the slope contour with a few climbs, you reach the alpine pasture of Untere Feselalp where you begin the descent into the Rhône Valley. You pass through the village of Erschmatt, where you can learn how to make rye bread. In Steg, visit the recently built pumptrack before continuing your ride to Raron. When you get there take the cable car to Unterbäch, where you will spend the night overlooking the Rhône Valley and opposite the Bietschhorn.

Option: Fancy some more downhill fun? The cable car takes you comfortably from Gampel to Jeizinen, where some varied trails await you.

Our favorites

Our favorite itineraries are part of a selection of the best routes in the region and are proposed by Valais/Wallis Promotion to best meet the expectations of our guests.

Turn-by-turn directions

The Torrent cable car takes you to the Rinderhütte mountain station where this stage of the Valais Alpine Bike route begins. Follow the balcony trail overlooking the Rhone Valley. You pass through the villages of Oberu, Nivenalp and Bachalp in turn. Enjoy this route on the edge of the forest which alternates between undulating sections and a few short climbs. From Untere Feselalp, take the picture-postcard singletrail to Erschmatt. After passing through the village, the trail drops down on a gravelly but exhilarating slope to Niedergampel before leading into a flat road, mostly along the Rhone, as far as Raron. Take a cable car for the final leg between Raron and Unterbäch.

View the stage on video

Start

Leukerbad (2310m)

Destination

Unterbäch (636m)

Author's recommendation

Stop at the Trächu Hittu restaurant in Untere Feselalp to enjoy an “assiette valaisanne” or a “croûte au fromage”.

Technical information

Altitude

2313m

625m

Ascent

+530m

Descent

-2200m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Downhill
  • Pump track
  • Singletrail/Free ride
  • Multi-stage route
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • Summit route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Flora
  • Cableway ascent/descent
Two bikers on the AlpineBike between Leukerbard and Unterbaech, Valais, Switzerland.
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Take the train to Leuk (SBB) and then the bus (LLB – Leuk Leukerbad Bus Reisen) from Leuk railway station directly to Leukerbad. Don’t forget to book a place for your mountain bike on the Leuk to Leukerbad route on Resabike.

Approach

From Basel and Zurich: Take the A1 motorway to Bern; then the A6 as far as Spiez; follow the sign for Kandersteg; Kandersteg–Goppenstein car-carrying train; follow the sign for Gampel; Leuk-Leukerbad.

From Geneva: Take the A1 motorway to Lausanne; follow the sign for Sion/Sierre; Leuk-Leukerbad.

From Milan: Take the A8/A26 motorway in the direction of Simplon; Iselle-Brig car-carrying train; follow the sign for Leuk-Leukerbad.

Parking

Follow the directions for parking in Leuk or Leukerbad. For this stage of the Valais Alpine Bike Tour, we recommend that you park your vehicle in Leuk or Gampel and travel to Leukerbad by public transport (SBB train). Don't forget to reserve a place for your mountain bike on the Leukerbad line with Resabike.

Equipment

We recommend: bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.

Preparing for mountain bike outings

Safety information

Follow the Valais Alpine Bike route no. 41 in Mountainbiking in Switzerland. View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility: Valais Alpine Bike no. 41.

Use marked bike trails and routes only, making sure you observe all signposting.

Preparing for mountain bike outings

 
The mountains are a place of pleasure to be shared and respected, offering space in which to meet up and share unforgettable moments, whether by bike or on foot. For all outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy them properly, it is essential that mountains are shared in a way that respects both Nature and agriculture. Respectful behaviour enables everyone to enjoy their hobby in the best possible conditions. Find out about the recommendations and rules in place.

When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.

Best practice guidelines

Additional information

Book one of the Valais Alpine Bike holiday offers! Choose between three, four or seven nights and enjoy some great riding days. You will be staying in bike hotels and will be provided with a daily luggage transport service; all that’s left for you to do is hit the trails! Go to www.visitvalais.ch/shop-valais-alpine-bike

More informations: 

 

Valais Bike regional route: see full itinerary

View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility: Valais Alpine Bike no. 41 

Literature

 

Get the the Valais/Wallis mountain bike map to discover the best routes in the region.

The tourist offices in Leukerbad and in Unterbäch have got brochures and information material about mountain biking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 

  • 2527 Lötschental

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

View of the Cervo hotel with the Matterhorn in the background, Zermatt. Valais, Switzerland.

Your accommodation in Valais