The new Gurten Trail will be more suitable for mass sports, says Severin Schindler from Trailnet Region Bern to Ride. He even promised SRF that it would be doable for anyone with a little biking experience. That doesn't sound like as much fun for the full-throttle faction as before. Schindler counters: "There will be no smooth, blue flow trail. Progression will also be possible on the new Gurten Trail."

Why does one of the oldest official bike trails in Switzerland have to become easier? Above all, it should erode less, explains trail builder Schindler. The steeper the trail, the more riders break ditches in the trail and the more dirt the rain washes away. "Especially in the last few weeks with the numerous rainfalls, the erosion damage has been massive again," he emphasizes.

As long as construction of the new trail cannot begin - more on this below - the good old Gurten Trail will remain in operation. Its route is now more than 20 years old and was never planned from scratch. "The route was created in DIY style, the redesign is sorely needed," says Schindler.

Single objection jeopardizes reopening in 2024

The Gurten Trail 2.0, as the future slope will be called, will be state of the art in trail construction, promises Severin Schindler. This means that another piece of wild mountain bike history will be lost. But apart from a few traditionalists, no one is mourning the loss of rim brakes and elastomer forks with 5 centimetres of suspension travel.

What should be welcomed by everyone is that the new 2.4-kilometre trail will be 600 meters longer than the old one. The average gradient is 10 percent, 4 percent less than the current trail.

A single objection stands in the way of the start of construction. Trailnet has given its opinion on the objections. Now it depends on whether the responsible regional licensing authority rejects the objection - even then, further steps are needed before construction can begin - or allows it. "Then we have to find a solution with the objecting party," explains Schindler.

The plan was to build and open the new Gurten Trail in the second half of 2024. Severin Schindler now also has his doubts. "If we find a solution next month, get the building permit in the summer and the trail construction company still has capacity, it will still be enough. Otherwise it will be 2025." The fans of the old route would therefore have a little more time to say goodbye.