Matterhorn Valley Trail Bike Tour (Nr. 20)
Information
On the first section, you ride along the well-maintained path from Zermatt to Täsch and catch the last glimpse of the Matterhorn. At Täsch, the beautiful Schalisee Lake invites you to take a break. From Randa, the tour leads past the scree from the 1991 landslide with a view of the Bis glacier and beyond the country lanes to St. Niklaus. From Kalpetran, bikers take to the historic track, past the still visible dry stone walls, which are listed in the Inventory of Historic Transport Routes in Switzerland (IVS), to Stalden. The route then continues to Visp.
The entire route is 38 kilometres long. There’s also the option to board the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway at any time and shorten the route. The tour can also be completed in the other direction (Visp - Zermatt), but with significantly more metres of climb.
Characteristics
Best season
POI details
Zermatt – Täsch – Randa – Herbriggen - Mattsand – St. Niklaus – Kalpetran –Stalden – Neubrück – Visp train station
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn is a constant companion along the route and can be used to shorten the tour at any of the different stations.
The tour can also be done in the opposite direction from Visp to Zermatt which is more demanding in terms of physical condition and somewhat shorter. (Duration: about 4½ hours)
By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.
Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).
Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.
Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.
Our recommendation:
- Technically flawless bike
- Helmet, protection equipment, gloves and trailbell
- Repair kit, spare inner tube and mini tool
- Clothing adapted to the weather (always bring rain protection)
- Drink and food
- First aid kit
