recommended route
Binntal - Scenic & side valleys
Cycling
· Lax
-
View from Grengiols to the Binntal valleyPhoto: Christian Pfammatter, Valais/Wallis Promotion
A short ascent to reach a little corner of paradise! Precious stones, stonemasons and the sunshine for which the Binntal valley is famous will add a whole new dimension to your tour.
easy
Distance 15 km
1:49 h
545 m
72 m
1,519 m
976 m
Once you’ve crossed the Rhone, which at this point is no more than a small, wild river, you’re faced with a steep but short climb! The wonderful village of Ernen has a mix of wooden houses turned dark brown by the sun and immaculately white façades. No doubt expecting to go on climbing, you’ll be surprised to find yourself on an almost flat stretch of road that winds its way among spruce and larch. In autumn, these same larch show themselves in their most enchanting golden colours for your delectation. You then bypass the avalanche gallery that is accessible to motor traffic by taking a quiet route over a dirt track. A few kilometres further on you’ll see the valley open out before you as you arrive in Binn. The tiny village of Fäld has two hospitable inns waiting to give you a warm welcome.
Author’s recommendation
Binntal is famous for its precious stones and rock crystals of every colour! Fäld has both a museum and an educational hiking trail devoted to the subject.
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Fäld, Binntal, 1,519 m
Lowest point
Lax, 976 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
11.7 km
Dirt road
2.3 km
Forested/wild trail
0 km
Path
0 km
Road
0.9 km
Safety information
Strictly respect the Swiss traffic rules. Please note that you are running the tour at your own risk and all liability is refused. Please be considerate to plants and animals. For your own safety, wear an helmet every time you ride a bike. Emergency numbers: 144 Ambulance / 117 Police / 1414 Helicopter Rescue (Rega).Tips and hints
More information:
Start
Lax train station (1,045 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'652'185E 1'137'531N
DD
46.387119, 8.117037
DMS
46°23'13.6"N 8°07'01.3"E
UTM
32T 432108 5137439
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Destination
Fäld, Binntal
Turn-by-turn directions
From the railway station in Lax, take the cantonal road. A short downhill stretch takes you across the Rhône, which at this point is still a wild river, before tackling the climb to the pretty village of Ernen. Take the turning on the right to continue on a relatively flat route that winds its way across the mountainside until it reaches a long avalanche gallery. Cyclists can avoid the latter by following a gravel track of excellent quality that runs along the mountainside. Surprising works of art accompany riders along this 2km stretch. When you reach the exit to the gallery rejoin the cantonal road, which will lead you to the valley’s main settlement: Binn. Bypass the village and continue your exploration of the valley until you reach the village of Fäld. The Binntal valley has plenty of excellent establishments at which to stop for a bite to eat and drink.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Frequent SBB train connections from all over Switzerland to Brig, then MGB (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn) train or bus to Oberwald.Getting there
From Brig, follow the cantonal route 19 "Furkastrasse" for 16km until you arrive in Lax.Parking
Parking at the train station in Lax, follow the local car park routeing.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'652'185E 1'137'531N
DD
46.387119, 8.117037
DMS
46°23'13.6"N 8°07'01.3"E
UTM
32T 432108 5137439
w3w
///never.bulbs.heads
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Brochures:
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1269 Aletschgletscher
Equipment
We recommend: bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.Difficulty
easy
Distance
15 km
Duration
1:49 h
Ascent
545 m
Descent
72 m
Highest point
1,519 m
Lowest point
976 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 7 Waypoints
- 7 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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