Bikepark Bellwald presents its expansion strategy with Vision 2024. If everything goes according to plan, the park will have a total of eleven trails by the time it is completed at the end of 2024. Bellwald wants to develop into a top mountain bike region with the following goals: The aim is to offer beginners and families a better mountain bike infrastructure and to create offers suitable for popular sports, but also to expand the offer for advanced mountain bikers. Trails are to be built that are fun and as safe as possible for all ages and levels. These will be sustainably planned and renovated so that mountain bikers and hikers can enjoy nature. The overall aim is to offer a modern infrastructure and suitable services.

Downhill as a door opener

Bellwald gained its fame through downhill skiing. In 2004, the "Gemeinschaft Alternativer Bergradfahrer" (GAB) association was founded, and two years later the downhill routes, which are still popular today, were opened. In 2007, the Swiss downhill champions were determined in Bellwald for the first time - it was the beginning of Bellwald's successful racing history. But it wasn't just about downhill, and so another, easier downhill course was built in 2010.

As part of Stratos, the "Bike Wallis" project, a bike strategy was also developed in Bellwald in 2015. What initially sounded good, but was barely tangible, first brought pebbles, then stones. The first asphalt pump track was created and the "Stoneman Glaciara" route was launched in 2017. Things really got going with the building application approved by the canton in 2020.

Deeds instead of words

Bellwald quickly proves that Vision 2024 is not just empty words. Shortly after the building permit was granted, the first expansion stage was launched - a four-kilometre flow trail from the Fleschen middle station. At an altitude of 390 meters, the Family Flowtrail offers versatile biking fun for the whole family and almost all skill levels. It is scheduled to open in June 2021. It should be noted that the Family Flowtrail is the first new construction alongside five existing downhill and connecting trails.

The construction of the new trails is to continue seamlessly, and their construction starts are planned as follows: the "Supernatural Single Trail" (red classification) in 2021, the blue "Rocky Flow Trail" for 2022, the "Scary Gravel Single Trail" (also red) in 2023 and finally the 12.3-kilometre-long valley descent from Bellwald Furgulti to Fiesch in 2024. And even if the focus is on family and beginner-friendliness, the 28-kilometre bike trail network still offers plenty of fun for advanced mountain bikers too.New infrastructure and events

In and around Bellwald, however, work is not limited to expanding the trail network. Further optimizations include, for example, a new chairlift on the first section to Richenen, which will be built in 2022. Although this will mean that the bike park will no longer operate, the much more efficient six-seater chairlift - currently a two-seater chairlift - will get guests up the mountain faster. The chairs will also be equipped with tried-and-tested transport systems for mountain bikes.

In addition to the new chairlift, the new infrastructure also includes e-bike charging stations and information centers. In terms of events, the iXS Downhill Cup in Bellwald will probably always enjoy a special status, but new events of broader interest such as trail building, riding technique or ladies' camps are also to be added.

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