The affected section had several structural problems before construction began. Particularly noticeable were inadequate drainage systems, which led to heavy water runoff across the trail surface during rainfall. This promoted erosion damage and contributed to the trail being washed out in many places.

As a result of this damage, numerous alternative tracks were created along the trail as cyclists avoided damaged or difficult-to-ride sections. These parallel tracks led to an increasing widening of the trail corridor and additional damage to the surrounding vegetation.

In addition, some sections had overly steep gradients. These were not only difficult to ride, but also particularly susceptible to erosion, as water ran directly over the trail along the fall line.

Implementation and measures

The measures were primarily implemented as part of targeted, bike-specific trail maintenance. The aim was to preserve the existing infrastructure as far as possible while optimizing it so that the trail remains stable in the long term and meets the requirements of modern mountain bike routes.

A key focus was on optimizing drainage. By adjusting the trail surface and alignment, water runoff could be better controlled and diverted away from the trail. This prevents water from flowing along the trail and causing new erosion damage.

Another important part of the work was adjusting the route. Particularly steep sections were made less challenging by adding additional loops. These additional loops reduce the maximum gradient and ensure that the trail can be ridden more evenly and sustainably. At the same time, this also improves the riding experience.

At the same time, the resulting bypass tracks were dismantled and renaturalized. The route was clearly defined and the optimal line redesigned. This concentrates use back into a clear corridor, which both facilitates maintenance and reduces the impact on the surrounding area.

Sustainable infrastructure for a national route

The implementation of these measures has secured a section of the Valais Panorama Bike Route. The work shows how existing trails can be adapted to the requirements of modern mountain bike trails with targeted maintenance and optimization measures.

Instead of focusing on large-scale new construction, the emphasis was deliberately placed on improving the quality of the existing infrastructure. This approach is in line with a fundamental principle of sustainable trail planning: stabilizing existing trails, directing user flows, and at the same time reducing long-term maintenance costs.

The renovated section at the Saflisch Pass thus represents another building block for a permanently usable mountain bike offering in Valais.