Stage 1 - Grimsel Pass - Reckingen

The Postbus takes you comfortably from Oberwald to the Grimsel Pass. To start with, a historic mule track winds along the Totesee lake, followed shortly afterwards by a stony mountain path with polished rock slabs and technical sections for biking fun. From Alp Gämschfax, the route follows a narrow mountain path to Üerlichergale and down to Ulrichen on a mix of trails and alpine roads. On the other side of the valley, the 750-metre ascent to the alpine terraces of Moosmatte awaits. Ride along the pass road to just above Kittbrigg. You can also take the post bus to this point. A forest trail winds its way through the rustic mountain forest up to Alp Chäller and through the Chietal valley. A flowing trail with rock and stone passages awaits at the top. The view opens up far over the Goms, to the white mountain peaks and back to the Grimsel and Furka region. The forest trail down to the valley floor is fast-paced and exceptionally fun, where you roll to the stage destination of Recking.

Stage 2 - Reckingen - Frid-Rappental - Bellwald

The second stage starts with a leisurely roll-in on the Rhone route in a mix of wide paths, quiet side roads but also some exciting singletrack sections. Via Mühlebach, the route takes you to Ernen. Now it gets sporty: around 800 meters in altitude have to be conquered up to Alp Frid. The view of the mountains and the Rhone Valley makes up for every step. The trail through the mysterious Rappetal valley awaits here. This section may be closed until mid-July (due to snow and livestock guarding dogs). If it is open, head straight to the Niederärner Chäller. Otherwise, follow a single trail that winds spectacularly along the valley flank - narrow, steep, sometimes slippery and definitely not boring. At Alp Z'Mübach, you change sides of the valley and then it's downhill, but in style. The trail starts off challenging, but becomes increasingly flowy and ends in the village of Mühlebach. You change sides of the valley on the 280-metre-long suspension bridge to Fürgangen and take the gondola up to the stage finish in Bellwald.

Stage 3 - Bellwald - Richinen - Binn

The third stage begins with the Into the Wild Trail in the Bellwald bike park. In summer, you can also ride the chairlift one floor higher and start the descent at the Furggulti mountain station. As the stage is rather short, there is time for a second lap. The route makes a wide loop through the hamlet and then turns off onto a varied single trail towards Egga. At the height of the St. Anna chapel, the route takes you onto the rooty Fürgangerweg. The suspension bridge takes you over to Mühlebach, where you roll to Ernen. You now have to ride on the Binntalstrasse for a while - around four kilometers of asphalt. At Lätzes Üsserbi, it's back onto the trail. Above the Twingi gorge and the Binna, a historic road meanders gently uphill into the wild Binntal valley. Small tunnels and changing art exhibitions along the way provide variety.

Stage 4 - Binn - Brig

The ascent begins gently up to the hamlet of Heiligkreuz. Then it gets more serious: around 14 kilometers and 1100 meters of altitude difference to the Saflisch Pass - a long but rewarding climb. Initially, the route runs on asphalt through the mountain forest, then the surface changes: a natural road stretches uphill high above the Saflischbach stream along the flank. From Brunegge, a singletrail takes over - mostly easy to ride, only shortly before the top of the pass does it get a little steeper again. The view opens up at the pass: Simplon Pass ahead, the Valais giants all around. From here you can see everything - from the Ofenhorn to the mighty Mischabel group with Dom and Alphubel. Now it's time for the descent. Twelve kilometers, 1900 Elevation loss, mostly on single trails! The trail winds from the Saflischpass along the valley flank down to the Fleschbode reservoir. A somewhat bumpy ride continues to the Fleschbode restaurant. Via Rosswald you roll along a forest road to Schmidmatte. A trail leads steeply down into the Gantertal valley, joins a forest road and continues to above Schallberg. This is where the final trail fireworks begin - a few tight bends ride onto the old Simplonstrasse road, which runs spectacularly high above the Saltina Gorge. Don't miss it: The Suonenweg branches off to the right - a playful, flowing section. Finally, you roll down a brisk mix of side roads and trail sections into the historic town center of Brig with the Stockalper Castle and the striking onion domes.

Three-day version

Tip from Ride: Tackle the tour as a three-day route and combine the second and third stages. The route can be shortened slightly by cutting the detour to Bellwald. Even better: spend the night in Ernen or Mühlebach instead of the pretty town of Binn and then start the final stage over the Saflisch Pass from there.