The Bireggwald is Lucerne's local recreation area par excellence, with the majority of it located in the neighbouring municipality of Horw. The people of Lucerne have been walking, jogging and barbecuing here for decades. An altitude difference of just over 100 meters right on the outskirts of the city is also interesting for mountain bikers, which is why trails are created from time to time. This is in a canton that still regulates cycling in the forest very restrictively and only allows it on paved paths.

In the current mountain bike boom, the authorities have realized that they can only prevent unwanted trails and descents if they offer mountain bikers a legal option. The Lucerne Mountain Bike Association, led by architect and bike guide Andy Stalder, has defined a project with the relevant authorities: A trail center in the Bireggwald forest.

This is so far advanced that the Luzerner Zeitung is already reporting: "It's getting concrete". In fact, the Horw municipal council has now allocated CHF 120,000 and the city of Lucerne is contributing CHF 10,000. However, the approvals for the project from both municipalities are still pending. Andy Stalder is confident: "They have already budgeted for the expenditure. Why shouldn't they approve the project now?"

Detailed planning is the next step. Four trails are planned, leading down the hill in all directions. There will also be a small skills track for children and a cross-country circuit that connects the descents and thus offers downhill-oriented bikers a variety of options in a small space. A total of 7.7 kilometers of trail will be available one day. And as early as the second half of 2023.

Mountain bikers have to raise 200,000 francs

The CHF 130,000 allocated is enough to develop the project. Stalder estimates that the construction will cost a mid-six-figure sum. It is planned that the mountain bike community will contribute 200,000 francs. Stalder and his fellow campaigners have started looking for sponsors. They will run a crowdfunding campaign in winter. "Comparable projects have shown that the community has raised such amounts quickly," Andy Stalder is quoted as saying in the Luzerner Zeitung newspaper.

The mountain bikers will have to make another important contribution: they will have to maintain the route. Mountainbike Luzern will employ one person to do this on a 10 percent basis. In addition, some voluntary work will be necessary. The local Freeride Connection association has agreed to coordinate the volunteer work. This organization already runs the Gigeliwald Trail, a 900-metre trail on the eastern outskirts of Lucerne.

Things are currently looking rosy for the trail center in Bireggwald. Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2023, with the opening scheduled for the same season.