From local bike park to trail gem

Nara was barely visible on the Swiss bike park map. The small freeride park at the foot of the Lukmanier Pass attracted more locals than guests. The bike park in the classic sense gave way, and over the years Nara transformed itself into a small but fine trail destination with four long descents, the longest of which stretch from the Alpe di Nara almost to the valley floor. That's over 1400 Elevation loss singletrail descent. Between June and the end of September, the chairlifts make the long ascent from Leontica to Cancori and on to Alpe di Nara easier.

However, the long single trails alone were not enough to attract more guests. The company "Amici del Nara SA", founded in 2003, was able to convince the municipality and landowners to create a bike trail. In collaboration with the company Trailworks, a trail over four kilometers long with a difference in altitude of 470 meters was created, the Black Wood Line. Its character ranges from flowing to spectacular, so it is not a classic flow trail, and its gradient is also relatively steep. In between, you can also let it flow without overdoing the bends.

The berms allow for a good amount of speed and open up well, harmonizing well with the numerous jumps. The more challenging jumps usually ride from the edges into the main line and can have gaps between take-off and landing. However, they are all rollable on the main line. This means that nobody has to jump if they don't want to or can't. Although the jumps are logically structured, it is advisable to complete the first ride without airtime in order to get to know the trail and the individual jumps.

Overall, the Black Wood Line expands the offer in Nara and makes the area accessible to a new target group. In addition, there has never been a comparable offer in the canton of Ticino before, making Nara currently unique in the southern Swiss canton. Although at the lower end of the medium difficulty level, the bike trail is rated red and has black-rated elements with the gap jumps.

Directions, opening times and prices

Nara is located in the Blenio Valley above the municipality of Acquarossa, around 40 minutes' drive north of Bellinzona. It is around 2.5 hours by car from Zurich.

The Nara chairlifts are open from June 22 to September 29, 2024 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm. Between August 1 and August 18, 2024, the lifts will be open every day, but will be closed in bad weather. Thanks to the moderate gradient, the trails are also easily accessible under your own steam.

A day ticket costs CHF 19 for children, CHF 29 for juniors and seniors, CHF 39 at the normal rate or CHF 99 for a whole family.

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