- 5:20 h
- 33.87 km
- 1,300 m
- 1,400 m
- 1,188 m
- 1,996 m
- 808 m
- Start: Reckingen VS (Unnerem Bahnhof) (1316 m)
- Destination: Fürgangen (valley station) (1202 m)
Valais Panorama Bike (VPB) - stage 2
From Reckingen, pedal along the Rhone for about 13 kilometers to Mühlebach on a wide dirt path, passing by small villages suitable for discovering well-preserved sites. In Mühlebach, the oldest center in Switzerland made up of wooden houses will surprise you. Ernen is no less impressive: with its magnificent village square, it is located on a moraine terrace above the Rhone and has great historical and cultural importance. From there, the ascent to the alp of Frid offers both a small sporting challenge and breathtaking views. You then cross the Rappetal valley, a preserved natural gem, then the trail winds along the contour line to Z'Mübach. Change sides of the valley and ride on a singletrail with the murmur of the Milebach stream in your ears. Before reaching Fürgangen, push your bike over a spectacular suspension bridge. The cable car takes you to Bellwald, your destination for the day.
A detour of the route is set up each summer, depending on snow cover and the presence of livestock protection dogs, and allows you to reach "Niederäner Chäller" directly without passing through the Rappetal. Please respect this route change.
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
From Reckingen, cross the Rhone heading south and follow its left bank along the Rhone Route for 6 kilometers until the football field near Sand. Then turn left towards Bodme/Biina and leave the hamlet on a rural path, then a singletrail, heading southwest to Egguti. The alp road brings you back to the Rhone, then via Steinhaus and Mühlebach to Ernen. Before the village, turn left onto the alp road which leads to Frid with about 800 meters of elevation gain. Continuing east, you slightly climb into the Rappetal via a singletrail up to Z'Mübach. Here, you cross the Milebach and follow a beautiful singletrail for almost 5 kilometers to the entrance of the Rappetal. At Ober Äbmet, choose between an easier descent on the right or a more technical singletrail on the left to Mühlebach. Pass the small village heading north and cross the Rhone on a 280-meter-long suspension bridge – you will need to push your bike there. On the other side of the valley, a small cable car takes you from Fürgangen to Bellwald, your destination for the day.
Tour information
Cultural Interesting
Stop at an Inn
Summit
Equipment
Our recommendations: technically impeccable mountain bike, toolkit, helmet, gloves and bell, appropriate clothing depending on the weather, rain protection, drink and snacks.
Directions & Parking facilities
From Zurich: take motorway A4 or A3 to Flüelen, then A2 to Göschenen and use the Furka Base Tunnel before continuing towards Reckingen.
From Bern: take motorway A6 to Spiez and continue towards Kandersteg; use the Kandersteg-Goppenstein car shuttle and continue towards Goms (Conches), then Reckingen.
From Geneva: take motorway A1 to Lausanne, then continue on A9 towards Brig; continue towards Goms, then Reckingen.
From Milan: take motorway A8/A26 towards Simplon; use the Iselle-Brig car shuttle and continue towards Brig; continue towards Goms (Conches) then Reckingen.
Follow parking signs in Reckingen or Fürgangen. For this stage of the Valais Panorama Bike (VPB), we recommend parking your vehicle in Fiesch and traveling to Reckingen by public transport. Remember to reserve your bike space on sbb.ch.
Additional information
Book your Valais Panorama Bike stay and discover a panoramic route through Upper Valais. Suitable accommodations and luggage transport included. See offers at: valais.ch/valaispanoramabike.
Learn more about the destination:
See the complete itinerary:
Literature
Consult the Valais/Wallis mountain bike map to discover the best routes in the region.
The tourist offices in Münster, Oberwald and Reckingen provide brochures for mountain biking in the region.
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
Visit the birthplace of hospitality pioneer César Ritz and the exhibition in the renovated building of Niederwald station.
Safety guidelines
Follow the Valais Panorama Bike route no. 81 from Switzerland by mountain bike. See the route on SuisseMobile: Valais Panorama Bike no. 81.
Follow only marked trails and roads as well as appropriate signs.
The mountain is a shared and respected pleasure space. The mountain offers space to meet and share unforgettable moments, by bike or on foot. So all outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy it, it is essential to share this space respecting nature and agriculture. Respectful behavior allows everyone to enjoy their pastime in the best conditions. Inform yourself about the recommendations and rules in place.
Assess your physical condition and abilities well. Use of the various routes is always at your own risk.
Map
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