- Brief description
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This is an (in places) technically challenging tour with some sections of severe exposure. This tour should only be attempted by technically strong and very safe mountain bikers.
- Difficulty
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difficult
- Rating
-
- Starting point
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Hohten Train Station
- Route
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Hohtenn (1,078 m)Lidu1.5 kmWintereggu2.1 kmBrägji2.8 kmZum Stei2.9 kmWasserleite3.1 kmBärgbeizi Rarnerchumma4.4 kmRitzubode4.8 kmSankt German7.0 kmBahnhof9.4 kmSt. Josef10.0 kmAusserberg10.2 kmJäuschbodo10.4 kmFischerbiel10.6 kmZengrowesteinu12.0 kmEggen14.0 kmEggerberg15.1 kmBergsonne15.3 kmEggerberg (853 m)15.6 kmBerg15.9 kmLalden17.4 kmLalden (801 m)18.1 kmRestaurant Cécile20.1 kmBrigerbad21.1 kmEyholz22.0 kmLalden22.6 kmVisp (658 m)25.2 kmViège (651 m)25.2 km
- Best season
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Description
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The BLS Sudrampe offers a taste of Alpine mountain biking at times of the year when the high alps are inaccessible due to snow. Narrow exposed trails, rocky descents and tight switchbacks all make for a proper alpine experience and a provide a challenge for everyones technical skills. This trail is not advised for beginner or intermediate mountain bikers or anyone who is not safe riding trails with a serious degree of exposure.
- Directions
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From Hohtenn take the paved road downhill for approx 400m until you see a steep singletrail going up to the left. This gives a lung busting and challenging start to the route. The first section of the climb is steep but just about rideable for many. The trail then ducks under the railway line and turns right up another steep ramp (which I've not seen anybody ride yet and has led to a number of broken chains!)
Once up this last ramp the trail starts properly traversing aroud a steep valley with the first sections of exposure already evident. Wide bars are a bit of a hinderance here as they start to scrape the rock wall while you ride precariously close to a narrow safety wire and precipitious drop to your right hand side. (Walking advisable if there is any doubt in your mind).
As the trail comes around the opposite side of the gorge the exposure is less. A short set of steps and the trail gets more flowy and forgiving for a short distance passing Lidu and shortly afterwards turning left into a very steep set of stairs that are definitely best advised to walk.
The steps lead you down onto a paved road which you can leave after about 150m into a flowing section of singletrack which veers off to the right and turns parallel to the road along the first section of Bisse (old irrigation channels running along the side of the mountain).
Keep following the trail as it turns left, climbs, crosses the road and requires a short push up to a lookout point before gradually climbing/traversing towards the Eichwald. (This section of trail has another somewhat technical and exposed bit which is best advised to walk, see photo).
After the Eichwald the trail widens out and turns back into a valley where you will have to carry your bike up and over a railway bridge before descending some steps on the other side and then enjoying a nice flowy section of trail along the Bisse. (caution, some exposed sections)
Passing above St. German stay following the Bisse until you get to the village of Ausserberg. Here there is a short paved road climb until you once again veer right to continue along the route as shown on our GPX track.
Keep following the BLS Sudrampe signposts towards Eggerberg. Here there are some nice sections of trail to practice your switchback technique, not all are ridable without being able to hop the back wheel, but it is not a forgiving place to practice if you are likely to get it wrong.
In Eggerberg follow the trail along the railway line to Lalden. Shortly before Lalden there is another quite technical section of trail.
Ride past the railway station at Lalden, down the steps and continue riding along the edge of the railway line where you have two descent options to Brigerbad. The first descent takes you directly to the village and if you ride about 1.5km further a second (very technical and exposed) descent takes you directly down to the Thermal Baths at Brigerbad.
From Brigerbad it is a gentle ride back along the valley to the train station in Visp.
- Highest point
- 1,078 m
- Endpoint
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Visp
- Height profile
- © outdooractive.com
- Equipment
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"All Mountain" or "Enduro" bike is best suited to this tour.
- Safety instructions
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This trail is in places dangerously exposed. It is also heavily frequented by hikers. Patience and a very safe attitude to riding your bike are required at all times.
- Tips
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This tour can already give a taste of high alpine riding in March/April (depending on snow cover) when other trails are still completely covered in snow. Caution: This route has significant and potentially fatal exposure in places.
- Additional information
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If taking the train to Hohtenn it's best to arrive off the train ready to ride. This can get you ahead of the group of hikers which arrive on the train with you and give you a cleaner run at riding the route without meeting too many walkers.
For more of our favourite tours remember to check out www.swissalpineadventure.com - tours.
- Directions
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Take the Lötschberg train (car train) to Goppenstein then drive towards Gampel/Steg. As you descend to the valley turn left on a narrow road towards Hohtenn Station.
- Public transportation
- Parking
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There is limited parking available at Hohtenn station. You can return to your car at the end of the tour by train from Visp via Brig. Alternatively park in Brig or Visp and take the train to the start point.
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AuthorThe tour BLS Sudrampe is used by outdooractive.com provided.
Surfaces
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Oberwallis
205
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Rund um Visp
95
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Ausserberg
27