6 spectacular mountain bike tours in Switzerland
We present some of the best Swiss trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
Everything you need to know at a glance
Switzerland offers mountain bike tours for every level – from flowing trails with lifts to high-alpine challenges with spectacular panoramic views. Highlights include the 40-kilometer Alps Epic Trail in Davos, the multi-day Trans-Altarezia route across three countries, and the 380-kilometer Glacier Bike Tour, which is particularly suitable for e-bikes.
If you want to enjoy beautiful views on your tours, the best option is the Mountain View Trail with views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Ambitious bikers can venture onto the summit track on the Barrhorn. The Jochpass Trail in Engelberg is ideal for lots of descents and riding fun over a short distance.
Alps Epic Trail in Davos: Switzerland's longest single trail
The Alps Epic Trail in Davos is a high-alpine mountain bike trail with spectacular views, leading from the Jakobshorn region towards Sertig and on to Filisur. At around 40 kilometers long, it is the longest single trail in Switzerland. This route offers varied terrain that is technically challenging and requires concentration.
Almost 1,000 meters of elevation gain must be overcome on counterclimbs. The Landwasser Viaduct, a kind of oversized finish line arch, provides a spectacular finale. It is the symbol of Graubünden and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Interesting fact: the Alps Epic Trail is one of only three routes in the Alps to be included in the IMBA Epic Trails. This makes it one of the best mountain bike trails in the world.
Trans-Altarezia Bike: a sporting challenge through three countries
If you want more than just a day on your bike, you should check out the Trans-Altarezia Bike: this multi-day tour covers a total of 218 kilometers from Samnaun in Switzerland through the Austrian-Swiss border region to Tirano in Italy.
This mountain bike tour is challenging, with steep climbs over mountain passes and athletic trails from valley to valley. The route offers a mix of forest roads, high alpine gravel roads, and technical trails. The views of mountain lakes and the Alpine panorama are magnificent.
You can plan the individual stages flexibly, with between 30 and 60 kilometers per day being a good measure. You can stay overnight in huts or inns in small villages along the route.
Glacier Bike Tour: perfect for e-bikes
The Glacier Bike Tour takes you 380 kilometers through high alpine terrain, past glacier tongues, moraine landscapes, and impressive mountain panoramas. Some of the ten stages feature difficult climbs, which are also feasible for less experienced cyclists with electric assistance.
The route connects St. Moritz with Zermatt via the canton of Uri, following the "Glacier Express" railway line. Mountain huts offer good places to stay overnight along the way. You can complete several stages in one day or take your time. Between three and eleven overnight stays are usual for this Swiss mountain bike tour.
Mountain View Trail: magnificent views
The Mountain View Trail is probably the most scenic bike tour in the Bernese Oberland. This high-altitude trail leads across alpine meadows and through sparse forest passages, with frequent views of the Bernese Alps and the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau trio.
There are a few challenging sections that require good physical condition and advanced riding technique. Overall, however, the trail, which is also popular with hikers and therefore very busy, is only moderately difficult. The approximately 27-kilometer circular route starts and ends in Lauterbrunnen.
Interesting fact: Short sections of this Swiss mountain bike tour must be completed by mountain railway and, if necessary, on foot. But if you love your bike, you'll push it.
Tour to the Barrhorn: challenging summit bliss
One of the most difficult routes for mountain bikers in Switzerland is the high-alpine route to the Barrhorn in Valais. At 3,610 meters, it is the highest peak in Switzerland that can be conquered without climbing or crossing a glacier. Up there, the air is thin and every movement is exhausting.
Large sections of the uphill route can only be completed by pushing your bike or carrying it on your back, but the impressive 3,000-meter descent is almost entirely rideable. To acclimatize to the altitude, it is advisable to spend the night at the Turtmann Hut at 2,519 meters.
Jochpass Trail in Engelberg: Curves, waves, and jumps
The route, which is just under five kilometers long, is a classic Alpine flow trail with lots of jumps, waves, and well-balanced curves. The trail runs from the Joch Pass down towards Trübsee. The tour is moderately difficult at most, making it suitable for less experienced cyclists.
However, a certain amount of experience is essential due to a few tricky sections. The high alpine backdrop offers great panoramic views. Thanks to the lift connection, the trail is ideal for several descents in a row.
Interesting fact: In the Engelberg region, there are other tours that will make cyclists' hearts beat faster, such as the Trudy Trail and the Hells Bells Trail.
Which American Express card accompanies you on mountain bike trips?
Mountain biking in Switzerland: ideal conditions and varied trails
From flowing trails in the Swiss Plateau to challenging alpine single trails and high-altitude routes with spectacular panoramic views: Switzerland offers mountain bike tours for every level and every preference. The routes generally have excellent infrastructure with mountain railways and signposted route networks.
On your bike trips and in everyday life, it's ideal to have an American Express Gold Card or Platinum Card with you. With these credit cards, you benefit from many attractive advantages, such as comprehensive insurance benefits, dining benefits, and hotel perks.
Frequently asked questions and answers
That's a matter of taste, but the Alps Epic Trail in Davos has won several awards and been included in the IMBA Epic Trails. This makes it one of the best mountain bike trails in the world.
With its long distances and sometimes difficult climbs, the Glacier Bike Tour is ideal for e-bikes. Many stages are easily manageable with electric assistance.
The tour to the Barrhorn is one of the toughest routes, as it climbs to 3,610 meters and often requires pushing or carrying your bike uphill.
