Mountain biking

The upper Verzasca Valley is an almost forgotten corner of Switzerland, but the Ticino couldn’t be more authentic than it is here. The mountain bike is a good choice to explore this remote region.

A journey of discovery on the western side of the Blenio Valley. Across the wide Nara basin with seemingly endless panoramic views of the Malvaglia Valley. Technically challenging descent through a number of villages, including Selvapiana. Continue via the ruins of Serravalle Castle.

Great Alpine route set in wonderful countryside. The tour takes you via the panoramic path Prätschli - Ochsenalp to Tschiertschen. From there you continue via Molinis back to Arosa.

City tours are not for mountain bikers – my foot! If the route is properly prepared, it can even be a highlight – as it happened in Lugano with the Lugano Bike route, combining Monte Bar and Monte Tamaro.

An interesting day trip that takes you amid the magnificent mountainous Alpine landscape at the Flumserberg, and that is topped off with an exciting descent through the beautiful Schils Valley.

Rustic Hotel Weisshorn sits on an outcrop high above Val d’Anniviers. The mountain inn marks the end of the tour with a backdrop of the most impressive peaks in the Valais.

Hidden somewhat between Monte Tamaro and Monte Lema is the Malcantone region. The unspoilt area is ideal for mountain bikers and forms the basis for the fourth stage of the Lugano Bike route.

One of the most attractive single trails in the Ticino winds its way as a high trail around the Val Colla above Lugano and leads through the hilly forests of Malcantone to the imposing Monte Tamaro. A fantastic tour with spectacular panoramic views.

Nowhere is the Jura region more typical than in the Franches Montagnes near Saignelégier. And the mountain bike route of the same name runs right through the middle of the hilly mosaic of forests, green meadows and countless dry stone walls.

Scenic, unsurfaced trail alongside the Upper Engadine lakes, lovely single trail with wide views above Isola. From Val Bregaglia, an old mule trail leads over the Septimerpass, demanding; even the best bikers give their all. Carrying passages unavoidable here.

Val Mora is the highlight of the second day on the Alpine Bike route. It leads to Livigno at the end of the day. The solitary high mountain valley looks a lot like the wilderness of Canada and an unparalleled mountain bike spectacle.

The Appenzell region is one of the most unspoilt areas in Switzerland and its charm is difficult to match. It is rare to experience this region more thoroughly than on the second stage of the Panorama Bike route between Trogen and Appenzell.

The adventurous tour around Rinerhorn to the famous Sertig Valley is known for its smoothly flowing downhill parts and the pleasant uphill sections make this tour enjoyable for anybody.

On the way from St-Ursanne to Saignelégier, it is the Doubs again that defines the Jura Bike route, but only on the first half. Then the Franches Montagnes are taking over and together they reflect all the expectations that many have of the Jura.

On the third stage of the Panorama Bike route, there are high mountain passes to conquer for the first time – Schwägalp and Risipass to name just two.

The Route from Arosa through the Urden Valley to Lenzerheide is demanding and unparalleled. After the ascent via Carmennahütte up to the Hörnlihütte riders are rewarded with a freeride with an elevation drop of over 1,000 metres.

The final stage of the Panorama Bike route is nothing less than spectacular. It runs from Col de Jaman directly to the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux. In good weather and with a little luck you might even see a bit of “smoke on the water” from high up.

If you believe Switzerland is a densely populated country, just take a tour in the border area between Switzerland and France in the Vallée de Joux to change your mind. Generally you are as alone here as you would be in the forests of Canada.

Schrattenflue mountain is located high above the upper Entlebuch region, forming the backdrop of the Marbach tour, a mixture of unexpected panoramic views and rustic Swiss mountain paradise.

In the area between Chur and Lenzerheide there are a lot of cableways with bike transportation. The Biketicket to Ride combines those into a fun enduro tour for anybody.

The Jura Bike route to La Chaux-de-Fonds is shaped by contrasts. Untouched moors and solitary pastures interspersed by whirring windmills and lively cities.

The Pischa tour at the entrance to the Flüela Valley is one of the most beautiful and popular mountain bike routes in Davos. It consists almost exclusively of single trails, including the ascent, with a bumpy but easily flowing descent.

More than 150 million years ago Switzerland was located on the sea. Fossilized dinosaur footprints are all that’s left. This is what you see on the Jurassic Bike tour, but the landscape of this scarcely known part of the Jura region is just as impressive.

Although this tour does not go quite as high as its name sug-gests, you will be biking high above Lake Lucerne and at times looking down over a 400m high rockface at the land-scape below.

The Gotthard is one of the most important mountain passes in Switzerland and this becomes perfectly clear on the first section of the Gottardo Bike route from Andermatt to Airolo.

The Alpine Bike route begins with the Costainas Pass, a classic mountain bike route and the cross-over from Scuol to Val Müstair, right on the first stage.

The Albula Valley is a little known mountain bike highlight in the Grisons. On the route from Bergün to Lenzerheide you experience all the benefits this region has to offer.

This challenging tour is demanding and rewarding, with tough climbs that pack a punch. But the panorama – including the lakes of Sihl, Zurich and Lucerne, snowy Alpine peaks and the Mythen – makes all the effort worthwhile.

Glamorous St. Moritz is the goal of the third stage of the Alpine Bike route, but instead of Gucci and Prada, it is all about flow and trail.