Hint

Intro

This challenging Alpine route links the Plaine Morte Glacier with the forests of the Pfyn Finges Nature Park. Ice and snow, mountain lakes, waterfalls and Alpine meadows feature on the spectacular descent to the destination in Sierre.

Description

At an elevation of around 3,000 metres, the starting point is already striking: From the Plaine Morte cable car mountain station, you have a view of the glacier of the same name. This stretch requires complete focus from the very first metres: It winds on loose, sometimes exposed terrain, through an impressive, lunar-like rocky landscape. Below lies the dark Lake Huiton in its barren basin. After circumnavigating the lake, the route descends gently through Alpine terrain. There is then a brief climb to Col de l’Arpochey before you descend again towards Les Violettes. Here, at the Cabane des Violettes, you can enjoy Valais specialities and magnificent views of around 250 peaks, some of which are over 4,000 metres.

Suitably fortified, you then have a longer climb via the Alpage de Colombire and the Alpage de Bèveron. Along the way: the Petit Mont Bonvin hut, where the route leads downwards before descending into the La Tièche valley. You can enjoy views down into the Rhone Valley and to the southern Valais Alps on your descent. The waterfalls, rocks and forests of the Pfyn Finges Nature Park provide a striking contrast.

Via Cordona and Venthône, the descent ends in Sierre. When you get here, you have a total of almost 3,000 metres of downward elevation behind you. The tour, which requires biking experience, boasts an exceptional diversity of landscapes: mineral ridges, Alpine forests, wild valleys and stunning panoramic views. Part of the route was also a venue for one stage of the Enduro World Series, which speaks for its technical quality.

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Glacier-de-la-Plaine-Morte
Destination
Sierre
Ascent
1000 m
Descent
3400 m
Distance
38 km
Distance on tarred ways
8 km
Distance on natural surface
13 km
Singletrail (part of natural surface)
17 km
Technical requirements
Difficult
Physical requirements
Medium
Signalization
Signalisation in one direction
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/mountainbiking-in-switz...

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

No. 186

Distance

38 km

Ascent

1000 m

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