MTB tour via Breiten, Bister and Hockmatte

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40.71 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: difficult
Condition: difficult
Bike Tour
  • 5:30 h
  • 40.71 km
  • 1,230 m
  • 1,230 m
  • 757 m
  • 1,356 m
  • 599 m
  • Start: public transport hub in Fiesch
  • Destination: public transport hub in Fiesch
A wonderful, varied day tour on roads and gravel paths through the many villages and hamlets on both sides of the Rhone Valley that requires a good level of fitness.

From the public transport hub in Fiesch, follow the road out of the village and, shortly after the roundabout, turn right towards Birchi.  Passing the holiday resort, you now cycle through Wiler and Lax until you reach Martisbergerstrasse. You now face your first major climb: the road winds up the mountain to Martisberg in tight serpentines. At the end of the village, take the forest road that leads west to Betten. After passing through the idyllic Valais village, you get to rest awhile on the descent down to Mörel. On reaching the valley floor, you switch to the other side of the valley in Filet and cycle on the paved road up to Bister and along the signposted cycle route to Grengiols. There you follow the trail that branches off to the right at the sports field. Take this trail up to Hockmatta and continue along the signposted cycle path in the direction of Binntal. On this section, there are climbs of up to 20% to tackle. However, they are short and on the subsequent downhill runs to the Binna, you have a chance to recover from your exertions. You’ll need it, because after crossing the old Roman bridge, the next and last demanding climb awaits you: a steep, unpaved road up to Binntalstrasse. From there, you set off downhill to Ernen. In Ernen, turn left at the church and cross the Ernerfeld to the power station. Turning sharply right, continue cross-country to the EW headquarters, where you cross the Rottenbrücke bridge. The last few metres to the destination of the tour take you back to Fiesch via Furkastrasse.

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

public transport hub in Fiesch - Wiler - Lax - Martisberg -  Betten Dorf - Mörel - Bister - Hockmatta - Ausser Binn - Ernen - public transport hub in Fiesch

Tour information

  • Loop Road

  • Stop at an Inn

Equipment

Basic equipment for mountain biking

  • Bicycle helmet (poss. enduro or full-face helmet)

  • Cycling gloves, elbow and knee pads (poss. back and shin protectors)

  • Sturdy, comfortable and preferably waterproof footwear (poss. MTB shoes with ankle protection)

  • Clothing using a multi-layer system with moisture wicking

  • Backpack (with rain cover)

  • Sun, rain and wind protection (hat, sunscreen, waterproof and windproof jacket)

  • Sunglasses

  • Mobile phone

  • First aid kit

  • Pocket knife

  • Cash

  • Navigation device / map and compass

  • Sufficient provisions and drinking water


Technical equipment



  • Air or CO2 pump with cartridges

  • Tyre repair kit

  • Spare inner tube

  • Chain rivet

  • Allen key

  • Handlebar mount for mobile phone/satnav

  • Bicycle lock


Where applicable, a roadworthy (e-)mountain bike with plenty of suspension travel, a bell, front and rear lights and spoke reflectors.


The lists for “basic equipment” and “technical equipment” do not claim to be complete and only serve as suggestions for what you should pack.


For your own safety, you should carefully read all instructions for the proper use and maintenance of your machine.


Please make sure that your equipment complies with local laws and does not contain any prohibited items.

Directions & Parking facilities

Take Kantonsstrasse 19 to the Fiesch exit, follow Furkastrasse as far as the parking facilities.
Large pay car park at the valley station of the Fiesch-Eggishorn cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG).
By train from Brig or Oberwald to Fiesch.

Additional information

Aletsch Arena AG
Furkastrasse 39
CH-3983 Mörel-Filet
+41 27 928 58 58
info@aletscharena.ch
www.aletscharena.ch

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Any one of the idyllic mountain villages is perfect for a relaxing break.

Safety guidelines

There are gradients of up to 20 %. Besides, you have to overcome more than 1200 m in height over a length of 40 km. Therefore, we only recommend it to experienced mountain bikers.

Use only the marked bike paths and roads and follow the signs. Please close gates and pasture fences behind you. Be considerate of hikers, plants and animals. Hikers always have right of way. Assess your skill and fitness level realistically. Riding the various routes is always at your own risk.

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MTB tour via Breiten, Bister and Hockmatte
3984 Fiesch