The sponsors of the "Bike-Flowtrails Marbach" project, consisting of Sportbahnen Marbachegg AG, the municipality of Escholzmatt-Marbach and Escholzmatt Marbach Tourism, have received planning permission from the relevant authorities for the construction of a 4.6-kilometre flow trail.

The trail should be operational from next summer season and will ride from Berghaus Marbachegg along the existing ski slope to Marbach-Dorf. Protected zones for water, game and moorland will be completely bypassed. The bikes will be transported by gondola. The affected landowners, without whose consent the construction of a bike trail would not be possible, agreed to the construction of the trail on their land very quickly and unselfishly in the interests of the cause (the whole of "Echt Entlebuch").

Thanks to its length in ideal biking terrain, the Marbachegg flow trail is set to become a beacon in the region's biking offer. The trail should meet the requirements of sporty mountain bikers as well as being suitable for the whole family and for children aged ten and over. The internationally active trail construction company Flying Metal GmbH from Thun was commissioned to build the trail.

Attractive solution instead of prohibitions

Mountain biking has been on the rise for years. The destination of Marbach has clearly felt this. However, this has also led to conflicts of interest with hikers on the hiking trails, landowners and hunters. After discussions with those affected and with the bike scene, the need for a bike trail was pursued as an attractive idea and solution. With the Marbachegg bike flow trail, those responsible want to attract athletes to the trail. This will allow us to separate the bike and hiking trails, channel the bikers for the landowners and get grazing animals and wildlife used to the trail. Protected zones can also be bypassed and thus protected.

Of course, the sports lifts also want to generate added value for tourists and further promote summer tourism. The expansion of the tourist offer is intended to strengthen the region and raise the tourist profile of the municipality of Escholzmatt-Marbach as part of the Entlebuch biosphere. The project is supported by the federal government and the canton of Lucerne with contributions from the New Regional Policy (NRP) and by the municipality of Escholzmatt-Marbach.

Costs and financing

The total project costs amount to around 500,000 francs, 50 percent of which are covered by own funds, personal contributions, cantonal subsidies and a substantial municipal contribution.

The sponsors are now looking for partner companies and sponsors to raise the necessary funds through marketing partnerships and sponsorship contributions by the end of the year. Partners with an affinity for bike sports can use the "Bikeflowtrail Marbachegg" marketing platform to address a broad target audience from a very wide catchment area. A trail meter sponsorship for patrons, mountain bikers and friends of Marbachegg will also be launched as a crowdfunding project.

Season tickets including mountain biking at no extra charge

Sportbahnen Marbachegg AG is offering the additional bike trail service at no extra charge when purchasing a 2018/19 ski season ticket. There is now a joint season ticket with the Sörenberg ski area for the coming winter. The discounts for the summer do not apply to both areas. When purchasing the joint Marbach-Sörenberg season ticket in Marbach, guests can ride the gondola lift in Marbach free of charge throughout the summer and the new flow trail is included.

www.marbachegg.ch