Cycling routes

Zwischbergen, Gondo - Scenic & side valleys

Gondo

5/8°

And yes, you are still on Swiss territory! On the fringes of Valais, close to the border with Italy, this wonderfully concealed valley is well worth the detour...

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

11.76 km

Duration

2:18 h

Description

The road opposite Gondo along the Italian border is built on a terrace that eventually opens onto the Zwischbergental, a superb, unspoilt valley 16km in length. The climb up to this remote valley on the south side of the Simplon Pass is both challenging and surprising: those who venture there appear to have stumbled into a place out of time. An absolute must if you happen to find yourself in the area!

Turn-by-turn directions

On leaving Gondo, the road that climbs up towards the Zwischbergental is dominated by the summits of the Weissmies and Lagginhorn. This stretch of the route, once used by smugglers crossing the Moncera pass, was also a crucial passageway during the two world wars. The environment here is remarkable: vast forests, mountain pastures carpeted with flowers and refreshing mountain lakes await you. This valley is definitely worth the detour!

Start

Gondo (854m)

Destination

Zwischbergen (1873m)

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Author's recommendation

Don’t forget to take some form of identification with you.

Technical information

Altitude

1873m

838m

Ascent

+1035m

Descent

-17m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

To get to Gondo, take the post bus from Brig via Simplon pass to Gondo or take the train from Brig to Iselle di Trasquera (simplon tunnel), where you change to the connecting bus to Gondo.

Approach

From Brig, take the cantonal road number 9 up to the Simplon pass and then to Gondo. The village is situated just before the italian border.

Parking

Follow the local car park routeing in Gondo.

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion