- 4:20 h
- 36.55 km
- 1,200 m
- 2,000 m
- 1,314 m
- 2,238 m
- 924 m
- Start: Grimsel pass (2,164 m)
- Destination: Reckingen (1,327 m)
Valais Panorama Bike (VPB) - stage 1
Depart from Oberwald by postbus and travel in comfort to the starting point at the Grimsel Pass. First pass the Totesee lake, then head west along the historic mule track. Worn stone slabs bear witness to the countless hoofbeats of these pack animals. A high mountain path with short ascents and descents takes you to the Üerlichergale mountain pasture, where you’ll follow a forest track to Ulrichen. From 2025-26, this descent can also be made on a magnificent singletrack. After a short break to regain your energy, it's time for the real challenge of the day: the ascent via Chietal to Moosmatte. Those wishing to shorten the climb can take the postbus to Kittbrigg or Ladstafel. Once at the top, a newly-developed singletrack takes you over the mountains to Flesche, from where you’ll descend quickly on a forest trail to the valley, before covering the last few kilometres along the “young Rhône” to Reckingen, your destination for the day.
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
The Postbus will transport you and your mountain bike from Bellwald to the Grimsel Pass in comfort. After the Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe, leave the pass road, pass the Marmot Park and take the historic path on the left. Walk briefly past the Totesee lake, then take the rocky, technical sections to the south-west.
At Nassbode, descend to the junction using an alpine track, turn right and follow this upwards via Unnerbodme and then Gämschfax to Üerlichergale. This road then descends gently into the valley to Ulrichen. On the other side, the historic pass road will take you up the Ägene valley in places, from Zum Loch to just above Kittbrigg. Approximately 60 metres before the suspension bridge, turn right and cross the new pass road onto the forest track to Moosmatte. From here, 175 metres of ascent await you as far as Chietal. The final descent via Flesche and Breite Wald takes you through larch forests on briefly steeper sections, before returning to the end of the valley, where you can have a relaxed ride on Cycle Route 1, alternating left and right of the Rhône, as far as Reckingen.
Tour information
Cultural Interesting
Stop at an Inn
Summit
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.
Directions & Parking facilities
From Zurich: take the A1 motorway to Bern, then the A6 to Spiez and continue towards Kandersteg; use the Kandersteg-Goppenstein car train and continue towards Wiler.
From Geneva: take the A1 motorway to Lausanne, then continue on the A9 towards Brig as far as Gampel; continue towards Goppenstein, then Wiler.
From Milan: take the A8/A26 motorway towards Simplon; use the Iselle-Brig car train and continue towards Visp (Visp), then Gampel; continue towards Goppenstein, then Wiler.
Follow the directions for parking in Oberwald. For this leg of the Valais Panorama Bike (VPB), we recommend that you park your vehicle in Reckingen and get to Grimsel pass using public transport (regional train and post bus). Remember to reserve a place for your bike on the sbb.ch platform for the Oberwald-Grimsel pass bus line.
Additional information
Book your Valais Panorama Bike trip and explore a scenic route through Upper Valais. Includes bike-friendly hotels and luggage transport. Go to valais.ch/valaispanoramabike.
More information about the destination:
See full itinerary:
Literature
Check out the Valais/Wallis mountain bike map for the best routes in the region.
The tourist offices in Münster, Oberwald and Reckingen have brochures on mountain biking in the region.
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
Experienced sportsmen and women can take the Postbus to the Nufenen Pass, at an altitude of 2,478 metres, and follow a technically demanding trail back to the original route.
Safety guidelines
Follow the Valais Panorama Bike route no. 81 in Mountainbiking in Switzerland. View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility: Valais Panorama Bike no. 81.
Use marked bike trails and routes only, making sure you observe all signposting.
The mountains are a place of pleasure to be shared and respected, offering space in which to meet up and share unforgettable moments, whether by bike or on foot. For all outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy them properly, it is essential that mountains are shared in a way that respects both Nature and agriculture. Respectful behaviour enables everyone to enjoy their hobby in the best possible conditions. Find out about the recommendations and rules in place.
When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.
Map
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1250 Ulrichen
Nearby
