Top 5 Places For Downhill Mountain Biking in Switzerland (2024)

The destination of Zermatt-Matterhorn is a mountain biker's paradise at the base of the Matterhorn, surrounded by 38 mountain peaks over 4,000 meters. There's a reason why this legendary mountain resort is among the most alluring tourist destinations on earth. Outdoor tours de force include mountaineering, some of the best backcountry skiing in Europe, and mountain biking in Zermatt. The background is practically everything. It's unreal to see the Matterhorn's magnificent fin rising into the sky. You might want to take your time admiring the surroundings here just as much as you would on the trails.

You must time your rides carefully because the area attracts a significant number of hikers. Yet aside from that, everything goes without a hitch. Zermatt is the best place to plan mountain bike holidays in Switzerland.

Elevation: 12,333 ft (3,759 m)

Best Season: June-October

Difficulty Level: Mostly intermediate to advanced, though some beginner options are available

Know before you go: Always make sure the trails are open before setting out by checking online or at the valley station.

The Eiger deserves a place on any list of top downhill mountain bike tours in Switzerland. The Bernese Alps' 4,000-meter (13,000-foot) giant is located beneath a mountain biking paradise that is a go-to destination for my groups.

There is a lot to see, including glaciers, lush valleys, and charming settlements near alpine lakes and waterfalls. This is one of those locations like Zermatt where you should always have a camera in your backpack. And finally, some of Switzerland's best singletracks connect all of that breathtaking countryside.

You can take a slower-paced scenic trip to Grindelwald and right up into the Eiger; the stunning descent from the back glides down the Wengen side. There are a lot more iconic zones on this route that will make your heart race, but none of them is a treat for novices. 

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to advanced

Elevation: 12,320 ft (3755 m)

Best Season: June-October

Know before you go: A Jungfrau Travel Pass or a Berner Oberland Regional Pass should be purchased by tourists visiting the Jungfrau Area. Trains, buses, boats, cable cars, and funiculars are all available for free or at a reduced cost for them to use throughout the area.

Verbier is the place to go for riders who prefer to spice up their time on the track by flying over the odd gap and hitting large drops along the route. This fantastic bike park offers countless opportunities for top-notch riding for riders of all abilities and is flanked by some of the highest peaks in the Alps, including breathtaking panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Hiking, rafting, paragliding, golfing, skiing, and riding for all skill levels, from beginner summer camps for youngsters to the ultra-competitive, can all be found here year-round.

How can a diverse mountain bike tour Switzerland park—with trails spanning through flowy alpine meadows reminiscent of Colorado mountain biking, pine forests, attractive mountain towns, and rocky ridgelines—be made even better? So you give it a fantastic lift system that can ascend 3,300 meters (10,800 feet). You won't ever have to be concerned about how you're going to get back or to the next trail when riding for hours on end in Verbier. 

Difficulty Level: Beginner to advanced

Best season: July to October

Elevation: 12,320 ft (3,755 m)

Know before you go: There are over 248 miles (400 km) of trails here, and you may choose from single-track, freeride, downhill, or cross-country. In addition to the two golf courses, rock climbing, and even paragliding, there are other activities you may try out if you grow tired of biking.

It should come as no surprise that Switzerland has wonderful mountain riding locations tucked away from the famous faces of the Matterhorn and Eiger because the country is like one big bike park. Aletsch Arena is one of the best mountain bike holidays Switzerland that you can’t miss.

One of those regions is located right in the middle of the Swiss Mountains, close to the Rhône Valley. The Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps, and a breathtaking backdrop location dominate the scene. There are already 100 kilometers (62 miles) of diverse riding routes in the area surrounding Aletsch Arena, and another 50 are being developed.

Difficulty Level: Beginner to advanced

Best season: June to October

Elevation: 12,882 ft (3,926 m)

Know before you go: Due to the almost all-natural pathways, this place is a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors.

The modest community of Anniviers has been combined to form an MTB superpower. Six smaller towns located in the Val d'Anniviers (the valley of Anniviers) were combined to form the municipality of Anniviers, which is currently the third largest municipality in Switzerland. The Val d'Anniviers now has more than 200 kilometers of top-notch singletrack, ranging from tricky forested singletrack that is really fun to ride to crazy fast downhill portions high in the Alps. The Grand Raid BCVs, the largest mountain biking Switzerland event held in this valley because of the excellent routes there.

Difficulty level: Beginner to advanced

Best season: April until the end of December Keep in mind that from May to October, most lifts and funiculars are in service.

Elevation: 9,366 ft (2,854 m)

Good to Know: Train service between Geneva, Zurich, and Bern airports and the valley is available, and from there, Postbuses go to the villages.