Switzerland

5) Grindelwald

Overlooked by the Jungfrau and the Eiger, two Swiss peaks steeped in modern and ancient folklore, Grindelwald, rich in history,  should be in the same rarefied rank as Zermatt or Chamonix. 

Yet, in common with the rest of the Berner Oberland, Grindelwald pretty much defines the term "Heidi Country".  The area that lies beneath these peaks has some fun and versatile riding.

Nearest airport: Bern(2hrs).

What does Grindelwald have to offer?

Grindelwald has a modern and efficient lift system with mountain railways and gondolas accessing good technical single tracks with stunning views and awe inspiring peaks.  The riding in Grindelwald involves some picture-book Alpine terrain, and there is a good mix of routes, from mapped trails suitable for beginners and novices through to long, tough tours that are both physically and technically demanding.  The area is still fairly quiet through the summer but the Swiss have been wishing up to some of the incredible descents possible from way up above the treeline.  The great thing here is the fact that all the hiking trails are open to bikes aswell, so long as you have the skill and are respectful of hikers and the trail.  This opens up a lot of technical routes.

There are 27 Cross Country routes available for GPS download and they range from easy routes using wide Alpine tracks and dirt roads to highly technical, eroded rocky runs.  There is something to suit most abilities here and GPS units can be hired from the tourist office.  

There are 2  Downhill courses, running from the Schrekfield lift station.  These man made additions complement the more natural and highly technical descents that can be found in the resort with a little exploration.  If you enjoy the single track in Verbier and Les Arcs, you will enjoy it here.

There are no freeride trails.

For an easy ride, try out the Downhill run at the Schrekfield lift.  A warm up for the more technical challenges of the hiking singletracks.  For more of a challenge, take the awesome Schynige Platte descent.  It begins way up in the moonscape high up above the treeline, and is a long enduro style descent containing some really technical rock sections that wind down into wooded switchbacks.  It is an epic ride!

Don't miss the Jungfraujoch station, Europe's highest indoor train station, with incredible views of Elger and Jungfrau.

Directory:

Tourist Office: T+41 33 854 1212
Website: grindelwald.com

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Comments (1)

• 2012-05-10 23:35:10 | mat  - this is wrong
  your info is wrong it is frowned apon for bikers to use the hiking trails you can only get the gondola to first then ride to the trails the chair lifts dont open in summer same with kl schidegg (train only after 4pm) there is plenty of unmarked trails you can use unfortunately the government is trying to ban single trail riding in the bernese oberland canton is better to go else where in switzerland where it is more bike friendly ie. davos where is open for bikes including lifts
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