Mountain biking in Zermatt, Switzerland! We are not exaggerating when we say that this is one of the most amazing nature experiences we have ever had. We took the bikes on ski lifts up the mountain and then travelled down, along a bike trail. Moderately challenging, not too strenuous and absolutely stunningly beautiful.
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Up the mountain: Mountain railway
We went on a guided tour with the guide Max, and the tour started with trying out bikes and helmets in a bike shop in the centre of Zermatt. Then we rolled up to the first cable car that would take us up. In the winter, the cable car takes skiers and snowboarders, and in the summer it is hikers and cyclists who go up.
Up the mountain: cabin lift
This height was not enough, so we continued upwards with a cabin lift. I am, as some may recall, not at all fond of cable cars, but it went well. Maybe I'm getting used to it? Once up, we were of course fascinated by the fantastic view, but before that, a bunch of sheep caught our attention ...
Down the mountain
Then the descent started! We drove along graveled bike paths that sloped downhill, sometimes with only a gentle slope and sometimes a little steeper. In any case, you did not have to pedal very much, but it was mostly about braking. A few times, when it was a bit steeper, several of us chose to walk. But most of the route was excellent for cycling. Mostly it was still about looking at the view. Absolutely magical! Here is a small picture bomb ... and a film!
Mountain biking in Zermatt - for everyone?
You don't need to have ridden a mountain bike before to do this tour and you don't need to be particularly fit either, as it's pretty much all downhill. Above all, you should probably think that it seems fun and exciting! We asked our guide and it seems that everyone possible comes to mountain biking in Zermatt. Last week he had both an elite cyclist training for a race and a 60-year-old woman who wanted to try it for the first time.
Have you ever gone mountain biking, and if so, where?
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This trip was a press trip. The texts, images and opinions are, as usual, our own.
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Camilla says:
Wow! Seems absolutely wonderful, not least with those views! We cycle both mtb and downhill but so far only in Sweden. Nowadays we have downhill a few minutes from home 🙂 However, posts like this really inspire us to broaden our views! (And yes, I'm guessing there has been a certain amount of adjustment for you with the lift! )
10 August 2017 - 7:20
Helena says:
Great to have this close by! Certainly nice in Sweden as well, but can definitely recommend mountain biking here in Switzerland! 🙂
10 August 2017 - 8:49
Sanna Pons Domenech says:
Hi, how are you? Stupid question maybe but how to book this trip? 😅
20 April 2022 - 21:05
Kenneth Risberg says:
Fantastic landscape and a cool experience with MTB in Zermatt, it would suit me. But a little too easy to just go downhill.
Yes MTB, but then in the Vasalopps trails and along the Göta Canal and some other things.
Going straight to Mora, tomorrow 94 km Cykel Vasan.
Keep up the good work!
10 August 2017 - 7:20
Helena says:
Of course, there is more training if you don't just go downhill 😉 But it was a lot of fun! And what impressive projects you take on! Go for it! 🙂
10 August 2017 - 8:50
Kenneth Risberg says:
Always enjoying new challenges ?
Feel free to follow me on FB ?
My name?
10 August 2017 - 15:45
Ninny says:
Oh, it looks fantastic, so beautiful! And how fun it seems to ride a mountain bike, I have never tried it.
I'm going to Salzburg in Austria in a few weeks, hope to see similar views!
10 August 2017 - 7:39
Helena says:
Really fun to ride a mountain bike! Especially downhill 🙂 Great with the trip to Salzburg! Hope it will be nice!
10 August 2017 - 8:51
Matts Torebring says:
Although I love nature and seeing the views, I would have probably chickened out and settled for the cable car, both up and down. I have respect for loose gravel, on steep downhill cycle paths. We have travelled with the cable car in the summer, in both Kitzbühel and Maribor. In Kitzbühel, I talked to the cows, which were grazing at an altitude of almost 2000 metres, it was awesome.
10 August 2017 - 7:54
Helena says:
You can of course do that too, and take the cable car both up and down. Or hike down if you want. Cool that the animals thrive at this height! 🙂
10 August 2017 - 8:52
Lennart says:
Good thing you could take the lift up!
10 August 2017 - 7:54
Helena says:
Haha, yes indeed! 😉
10 August 2017 - 8:53
Lisa / life from the bright side says:
Oh so funny, and so beautiful!
Yes, I am newly-hooked on MTB - love the speed together with the challenge and nature. Downhill in the Alps is on my bucket list now!
10 August 2017 - 8:08
Helena says:
Yes I have understood it! Really like your commitment and your adventures 🙂 Downhill in the Alps is amazing so you should try it!
10 August 2017 - 8:55
Lena - good for the soul says:
So beautiful! I can imagine it was an amazing experience. And fun.
Hug Lena
10 August 2017 - 8:44
Helena says:
Both funny and beautiful at the same time 🙂
10 August 2017 - 9:32
Henny says:
So fun to read about all your various adventures... Cycling down a high "mountain" sounds tough. But what I can not do myself, I get an insight into thanks to your nice pictures and posts... Have a nice trip.
10 August 2017 - 8:48
Helena says:
Glad you want to "follow" our blog! And thank you!
10 August 2017 - 9:33
Ruth in Virginia says:
That's how I feel too. What wonderful views!
A bike ride without uphill sounds perfect. 🙂
10 August 2017 - 10:49
Helena says:
I also thought it was perfect! You had to pedal a little in between and of course concentrate on the road and cycling. But not so hard, but more enjoyment ðŸ™'
10 August 2017 - 12:15
Mr Steve says:
What an amazing experience! I never got to try mountain biking, but if only it was possible, I would have tried it after this post.
10 August 2017 - 9:35
Helena says:
Glad you find the post inspiring!
10 August 2017 - 12:16
Anonymous says:
The sheep you met were Valais blacknose sheep or Valais blacknose sheep.
10 August 2017 - 10:52
Helena says:
Oh thank you! So perfect that there is always some reader who can fill in the gaps! 🙂
10 August 2017 - 12:20
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
What wonderful views and cycling downhill is great. We did that in Crete many years ago, up on the Omalos plateau with car and trailer and then bike down to the coast, through villages and orange groves. Lots of photo stops but very pleasant!!!
10 August 2017 - 11:30
Helena says:
It sounds like KI had a wonderful trip in Crete! Cycling downhill is pleasant and if the nature is beautiful, it will be perfect 🙂.
10 August 2017 - 12:18
Lena & Jan says:
Japp cycled in the forest and land (but many years ago) my new IKEA bike jar rough mountain piece, 21 shimano gears, but now I'm a little cowardly ? it must take its time nowadays when I'm out and about ? Thinking of alpaca sheep or goat, in your picture!? Fantastic wool they have in the picture?
10 August 2017 - 14:46
Helena says:
Sounds like a great bike! And it is excellent to cycle at the pace you feel comfortable with! As for the sheep, it is true as a reader wrote above that they are called Valais blacknose sheep.
10 August 2017 - 15:54
Ditte says:
I would love to try this. And nice to cycle downhill and not uphill ... What experiences and with all the beautiful nature as an added bonus. Great pictures. (However, I have tried skiing in Zermatt a few times and even that was a true experience, especially loose snow skiing. The winter nature is also stunningly beautiful).
10 August 2017 - 17:56
Helena says:
Very nice actually to just cycle downhill and not uphill 😉 I can imagine that it is beautiful (and different!) here in the winter!
10 August 2017 - 19:19
BP says:
Wow! What views! Have actually been to Zermatt and skied and eaten raclette cheese. Like Zermatt sharply! However, I have not tried mountain biking.
10 August 2017 - 18:35
Helena says:
Glad you were in Zermatt and also that you tried raclette! 🙂
10 August 2017 - 19:20
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
I would love to try cycling there. You will experience a lot.
10 August 2017 - 19:08
Helena says:
Yes, we really get to experience many different things while travelling. Great to have that opportunity!
10 August 2017 - 19:20
Emelie says:
Wow what views!
I am always so inspired by your travels
Would this also suit a family with children who like adventure? (8, 11 years)
How long do you think the climate will be welcoming without being 'too cold', is autumn good or is summer the only one?
/Emelie
10 August 2017 - 20:46
Helena says:
It's great to hear that you are inspired by our trips, Emelie! When it comes to downhill mountain biking, one of the descents in particular is recommended for children: the Moose trail. So yes, it is also suitable for children! We asked one of the guides about seasons and her favourite for hiking etc. is October. She says the colours are so beautiful then. It can be so warm that you can walk in a T-shirt, but it's cold in the mornings and evenings. But the weather is a bit unpredictable so it can also happen that it snows.
10 August 2017 - 21:12
Emelie says:
In other words, it sounds like an upcoming spring/autumn holiday plan.
Thanks for the quick response!
10 August 2017 - 21:47
GlobetrotterElisa says:
Ohhhhh.... I want to too!!! Not only does it look like a lot of fun, I KNOW it is! I have been to Zermatt, but only in winter. I have tried mtb in Italy, Thailand and Peru. I really enjoy cycling at home in Oslo on the trails in the forest here, but an mtb trip to Switzerland or Austria is very high on my list!
11 August 2017 - 13:29
Milana Chigridov says:
This was my favourite activity! Such a wonderful feeling to rush down the roads!
13 August 2017 - 11:54