recommended route
Valais Alpine Bike 1. Crans-Montana - Leukerbad
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Mountain bikers on the descent to the village of Varen, FlottuwaldPhoto: Pascal Gertschen, Valais/Wallis Promotion
One of the most popular routes in central Valais: from Crans-Montana to the Merdechon mountain pasture and Cabane de la Tièche, continuing across the La Tièche plateau, finally on varied, technical trails to Leuk/Susten.
Moderately difficult technically and physically, this itinerary crosses the sunny Crans-Montana and Leuker Sonnenberge region. It is a varied route that starts below the Petit Mont Bonvin and leads to the idyllic alpine pasture of Merdechon, then to the Cabane de la Tièche. The La Tièche plateau is the first highlight as well as the highest point of the ride, at almost 2,000 metres. A little action awaits you on the way down to the winemaking village of Varen, where you have to cross a stream bed, master rocky passages, winding sections through forests and a few ramps. Before arriving in Susten, be sure to stop for a culture break and visit to Leuk (Loèche) Castle. The glass dome, designed by architect Mario Botta, is the crowning glory. Take the Leuk-Leukerbad bus line to get to the thermal resort at Leukerbad or cycle from Susten or Leuk along the "Dala Bärgüf" route.
Option: If you want to add a little extra elevation to your day, do a few runs on the Leukerbad flowtrail.
Author’s recommendation
The Cabane de la Tièche is an ideal place to stop before starting the descent to Varen.
Track types
Rest stops
Hameau de ColombireCave du Sex
Cabane de la Tièche
Restaurant Varensis
Bed and Breakfast Zum Schleif
BnB Varen
Restaurant de la Poste
Restaurant zur Grotte
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.
Kindly close gates after passing through. Please be considerate to walkers, as well as to plants and animals. As a rule, walkers have priority. When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.
Preparing for mountain bike outings
Tips and hints
Book the offer Valais Bike ! With four days of riding, three nights in bike hotels and a luggage transport service, all that’s left for you to do is hit the trails! To the offer www.visitvalais.ch/shop-valais-alpine-bike
More information about the destinations:
Valais Alpine Bike regional route: see full itinerary
View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility: Valais Alpine Bike no. 41
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
This leg starts at the top of the Crans-Montana funicular. After a short descent on the main road, turn left towards Aminona and start your ascent towards Tièche valley. Just before Les Violettes cable car station, take the road that goes up on the left and passes under the gondolas. Then join the alpine pasture of Plumachit, before continuing your route towards the hamlet of Colombire. Take the dirt track that goes up on the left. The slope becomes steeper and leads to a great viewpoint in the middle of the mountain pastures. In total, there are about 500 meters of difference in altitude to cross in order to reach the highest point at the Cabane de la Tièche. You’ll go through a number of pastures before reaching a slightly sloping hiking trail that leads to a stream that you cross. A varied, technical singletrack with various obstacles and steep terrain leads through fragrant larch forests back to the south side, where another climb awaits. Then follow the gentle downhill path through the Flottuwald forest towards Varen and continue on the path above this winemaking village to Leuk railway station. Finally, take the post bus at Susten for Leukerbad station. You can also cycle from Susten or Leuk to Leukerbad by following the "Dala Bärgüf" route.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the train to Sierre (SBB) and then the funicular SMC (Sierre-Crans-Montana) directly to Crans-Montana (Montana Gare).By road
From Basel and Zurich: Take the A1 motorway to Bern; then the A6 as far as Spiez; follow the signs for Kandersteg; Kandersteg–Goppenstein car-carrying train; follow the signs for Sion/Sierre; Sierre-Crans-Montana.
From Geneva: Take the A1 motorway to Lausanne; follow the signs for Sion/Sierre; Sierre-Crans-Montana.
From Milan: Take the A8/A26 motorway towards Simplon; Iselle-Brig car-carrying train; follow the signs for Sion/Sierre; Sierre-Crans-Montana.
Parking
P+Rail Sierre : Place de la Gare 6, 3960 Sierre
Parking train station Sierre : Route de la Mondérêche 5, 3960 Sierre.
For this leg of the Valais Alpine Bike, we recommend that you park your vehicle in Leukerbad and then take the train (SBB) to Sierre station and the funicular (SMC Sierre-Montana) to Montana Village.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Take a look at the Valais/Wallis mountain bike & e-bike map to discover the best routes in the region.
The tourist offices in Sierre, Crans-Montana, Leuk and Leukerbad have brochures and information about mountain biking in the region.
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
We recommend: a bike in excellent working order, a helmet, gloves and a bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 12 Waypoints
- 12 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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Rating
Photos from others