Mountainbiking

Valais Alpine Bike
Stage 4, Grächen–Mattsand–Stalden–Gspon–Gibidum–Brig

rotate your device for slideshow
Valais Alpine Bike
Stage 4, Grächen–Mattsand–Stalden–Gspon–Gibidum–Brig
This stage follows the track of the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships starting in Grächen. The cable car then takes the bikers to Gspon, where the route continues to the enchanting Gibidum Pass with its little lake. After the flowing descent into the unspoilt Nanztal Valley, the stage ends in Brig.
This stage leaves the village of Grächen on a 4x4 track towards Gasenried. The first highlight follows immediately after the initial climb: a magnificent descent towards Mattsand. The route briefly continues on the paved road before turning into a gravel road and a flowing trail shortly after Schalbettu. The path is exposed in a few places and peppered with short, steep ascents. An occasional break on the way down is also well worth it. The Weisshorn with its beautiful pyramid summit seems close enough to touch.
To reach the village of Stalden further down the valley from Mattstand, follow the Matterhorn Valley Trail. The historic trail is lined with drystone walls and listed in the Inventory of Swiss Historic Traffic Routes (IVS). Now the legs get a short break: a cable car takes the bikers in a few minutes from Stalden to Gspon. What's needed next is muscle power: the section leading through the hamlet of Gspon is very steep. The passage to Sädolti isn't quite as challenging, but it drags on. The trail is technically easy so that you can enjoy the tranquillity in this magical forest. The route continues up and down through the Sädolwald forest, and you may well break a sweat before reaching the Gibidum Pass with its idyllic lake.
With its Alpine surroundings, the plateau is an inviting place for an extensive and well-deserved break to enjoy the views of the Valais Alps. From here, a wide, steep but flowing gravel trail leads into the Nanztal. Continue your ride along the Gamsa, which flows through the uninhabited side valley, to Alp Nidristi. At Marchgrabe, the route leaves the river. An excellent trail leading via Schratt towards Brig allows for fast riding after a technical first section.
To reach the village of Stalden further down the valley from Mattstand, follow the Matterhorn Valley Trail. The historic trail is lined with drystone walls and listed in the Inventory of Swiss Historic Traffic Routes (IVS). Now the legs get a short break: a cable car takes the bikers in a few minutes from Stalden to Gspon. What's needed next is muscle power: the section leading through the hamlet of Gspon is very steep. The passage to Sädolti isn't quite as challenging, but it drags on. The trail is technically easy so that you can enjoy the tranquillity in this magical forest. The route continues up and down through the Sädolwald forest, and you may well break a sweat before reaching the Gibidum Pass with its idyllic lake.
With its Alpine surroundings, the plateau is an inviting place for an extensive and well-deserved break to enjoy the views of the Valais Alps. From here, a wide, steep but flowing gravel trail leads into the Nanztal. Continue your ride along the Gamsa, which flows through the uninhabited side valley, to Alp Nidristi. At Marchgrabe, the route leaves the river. An excellent trail leading via Schratt towards Brig allows for fast riding after a technical first section.
This stage follows the track of the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships starting in Grächen. The cable car then takes the bikers to Gspon, where the route continues to the enchanting Gibidum Pass with its little lake. After the flowing descent into the unspoilt Nanztal Valley, the stage ends in Brig.
This stage leaves the village of Grächen on a 4x4 track towards Gasenried. The first highlight follows immediately after the initial climb: a magnificent descent towards Mattsand. The route briefly continues on the paved road before turning into a gravel road and a flowing trail shortly after Schalbettu. The path is exposed in a few places and peppered with short, steep ascents. An occasional break on the way down is also well worth it. The Weisshorn with its beautiful pyramid summit seems close enough to touch.
To reach the village of Stalden further down the valley from Mattstand, follow the Matterhorn Valley Trail. The historic trail is lined with drystone walls and listed in the Inventory of Swiss Historic Traffic Routes (IVS). Now the legs get a short break: a cable car takes the bikers in a few minutes from Stalden to Gspon. What's needed next is muscle power: the section leading through the hamlet of Gspon is very steep. The passage to Sädolti isn't quite as challenging, but it drags on. The trail is technically easy so that you can enjoy the tranquillity in this magical forest. The route continues up and down through the Sädolwald forest, and you may well break a sweat before reaching the Gibidum Pass with its idyllic lake.
With its Alpine surroundings, the plateau is an inviting place for an extensive and well-deserved break to enjoy the views of the Valais Alps. From here, a wide, steep but flowing gravel trail leads into the Nanztal. Continue your ride along the Gamsa, which flows through the uninhabited side valley, to Alp Nidristi. At Marchgrabe, the route leaves the river. An excellent trail leading via Schratt towards Brig allows for fast riding after a technical first section.
To reach the village of Stalden further down the valley from Mattstand, follow the Matterhorn Valley Trail. The historic trail is lined with drystone walls and listed in the Inventory of Swiss Historic Traffic Routes (IVS). Now the legs get a short break: a cable car takes the bikers in a few minutes from Stalden to Gspon. What's needed next is muscle power: the section leading through the hamlet of Gspon is very steep. The passage to Sädolti isn't quite as challenging, but it drags on. The trail is technically easy so that you can enjoy the tranquillity in this magical forest. The route continues up and down through the Sädolwald forest, and you may well break a sweat before reaching the Gibidum Pass with its idyllic lake.
With its Alpine surroundings, the plateau is an inviting place for an extensive and well-deserved break to enjoy the views of the Valais Alps. From here, a wide, steep but flowing gravel trail leads into the Nanztal. Continue your ride along the Gamsa, which flows through the uninhabited side valley, to Alp Nidristi. At Marchgrabe, the route leaves the river. An excellent trail leading via Schratt towards Brig allows for fast riding after a technical first section.
Length
48 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 31 km
Natural surface: 17 km
Singletrail: 18 km
Natural surface: 17 km
Singletrail: 18 km
Ascent | Descent
1050 m | 3100 m
Grade | Fitness level
medium
|
medium
Arrival | return travel
More …
Public transport section Gspon
The section between Stalden-Saas (Talstation) and Gspon (Bergstation) is travelled by aerial cableway and is not signalled.