Following a request from the Engelberg Bike Commission, the Trailworks company drew up a concept for a skills and trail center at Bänklialp on the basis of two inspections and began construction work. According to Marcel Moser from the trail construction company, the existing terrain with its small valleys, hollows and sparse forest is ideal for the construction of a training area.

Thanks to its vastness, the site offers enough space to create trails of various levels of difficulty. From a simple, clear circuit for children to a black run and several jumps in the fun and technical area, everything should be available once the work is complete. This means that all target groups will benefit from the new offer in Engelberg.A very simple pump track for children will be built, with easy-to-roll waves and moderate curves in an area that is easy to see and offers seating. There is also an easy, blue-rated trail around 500 meters long with a ten percent gradient for children and beginners. In the middle, red-rated area for teenagers and advanced riders, there is another 500 meters of trail. This time, however, with a 15 percent gradient and elements such as rollable doubles, rollable step-up and step-down jumps or stone and root fields. As a variation to the routes mentioned, there are around 60 meters of black trail on which experienced mountain bikers can develop their skills.

Use natural terrain and conserve resources

In the forest, the route of the trail is chosen so that trees are bypassed and rootstocks and stones serve as natural obstacles. Nevertheless, depending on the difficulty level, additional obstacles such as hollows, bottlenecks, steps, balancing elements or small jumps are integrated into the trail network

When carrying out the construction work, Trailworks promises to attach great importance to the careful use of resources and clean environmental and humus work. Careful attention was paid to existing terrain structures during the planning phase in order to make the best possible use of them.

The routes are also designed to be sustainable in order to keep operations as low-maintenance as possible. Great consideration is therefore given to drainage and erosion.

The Engelberg Skills and Trail Center is scheduled to open in spring 2022.