Europaweg Zermatt
Description
The route starts on the Unterrothorn and includes a highlight right at the beginning with the descent through the Tufterchumme. A little above the Tufterenalp, you reach the Europaweg, which you follow northwards to the Täscheralp. Here the route continues on the other side of the valley, and after a few crisp hairpin bends you reach the military trail, which branches off to the left and leads to Täsch. It is quite challenging, especially in the upper section, but then becomes increasingly flowy and fun. Finally, you reach the valley floor at Täsch, from where you can either take the train back to Zermatt or - even better - follow the marked mountain bike route to Visp. Although this is a little boring as far as St. Niklaus because it mainly leads along small roads, it then becomes really attractive and singletrail-heavy all the way down to Visp.
Details of the tour
44 km
240 m
2670 m
1 day
Zermatt
Visp
1164
well suited
More information
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User comments (10)
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.
We rode the tour on 27.07.2023. It's a boring gravel road up to the chairlift valley station at approx. 2,800m, from there the fun begins. The trail is super rideable, but also has a few technical passages. The fields were also full of edelweiss, something I had never seen before. From Tuftern onwards, the trail climbed a little, but even there it was a first-class flow trail. Before reaching Täschalp, I noticed that the path had been dredged. This means that the entire Europaweg from Rothorn to Täschalp is 100% rideable, with absolutely awesome trails. It looks to me as if the trail has been specially developed for bikers. The ban on bikes on the other side of the valley along the flank is therefore even more incomprehensible, as this trail is in no way inferior to the first part. Whether you disregard this bike ban or follow the tips of the previous writers is up to you. Fortunately, I can draw on my memories ;-) As soon as the trail seeks the "fall line" it also changes its character, becoming more technical and rough, but all in all still fun to ride as far as Täsch. From there, trails and dirt tracks alternate, but there is certainly potential to add a few more trails. The section from St. Niklaus to Stalden VS is another highlight.
I ride a Scott Genius Ultimate and am usually in the head group uphill; downhill, I'm always the last one by a long way.
The trail from the Täscheralp has a bike ban. Alternatively, we took the asphalt road down a bit and then turned right onto the hiking trail parallel to the stream. Then another stretch of road and then back onto the trail (super trail!!). From Täsch we took the train back to Zermatt.
Alternatively, take the road from Täschalp to the big bend to the right and then turn left onto the old forest road to Täsch.
ATTENTION: Bikes have recently been banned on the military trail (Ottafe - Täsch)
Checked 2020
We rode the trail today. The path is not closed.
The route is currently closed due to construction work!
A good alternative is the Europaweg from Blauherd station in the direction of Tufteren. From there you can also get to Täsch-Visp or take the Sunnegga Flowtrail back to Zermatt.
My Strava statistics show me 350 vertical meters uphill ;-)
Are you sure it's only 240 meters uphill? I only rode the tour from Rothorn to Taesch, which was 150 meters uphill, but my GPS showed me 1100 meters uphill for the entire route to Visp.
The Europaweg (Zermatt - Täsch section) is open again! Tour (start Gornergrat) made on 02.10.2016, Europaweg easily doable by bike. Better not to do it in the high season because of the hiking friends.