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Rothorn-Zermatt Bike Tour (Nr. 22)
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/ By cable car up the Rothorn (3,103 m)Photo: Fabienne Fux-Schaller, Zermatt Tourismus -
/ On the bike trail below BlauherdPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Gerhard Kirschker
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/ An racy descente back to the valleyPhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Michael Portmann
From Zermatt, the cable cars take you up to Rothorn (3,100 m). It’s easy to see what you do first - drink in the incredible views of the Matterhorn.
Then you’re off! The gravel path heads through the Alpine terrain via Rotweng down to Blauherd. It is initially steep in places, but flattens out as you approach Blauherd.
After Blauherd, it then becomes very steep. You may need to take a short break at Sunnegga.
Some people may know this route from the winter, as the pistes cross it.
After Sunnegga, there are two ways of getting back to Zermatt. You can either head along the path via Ried back to the village or have a go at the Sunnegga-Trail.
The hardcore variant is the trail in reverse – from Zermatt up to the Rothorn. It’s best ridden on an E-Bike.
Author’s recommendation
Rest Stop
Buffet Bar SunneggaOthmar´s
Ried
Rothorn Ristorante Pizzeria
Safety information
- Always wear gloves and a helmet.
- Use marked bike trails and routes only, and observe all signposting. Please close gates after passing through.
- Please be considerate to walkers and to plants and animals. As a rule, walkers have priority.
- When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability: some routes lead above 3,000 metres.
- All riding is at one’s own risk.
Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk. *The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.
Tips, hints and links
Guidelines for Mountain Bike RidersStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Rothorn - Blauherd - Sunnegga - Tufteren - Ried - Zermatt
(The trail can also be ridden in the other direction, from Zermatt to Rothorn – some sections steep and difficult.)
Variant 1: Rothorn - Blauherd - Sunnegga - Sunegga-Trail - Zermatt
Note
Public transport
By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.
Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).
Getting there
Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.
Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.
Parking
Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.
Onward travel: see “Getting there”.
Coordinates
Equipment
We recommend:
- Bike in excellent working order
- Helmet, gloves and (trail) bell
- Repair kit in case of any defects
- Clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof)
- Food and drink
Questions and answers
Do you have questions regarding this content? Ask them here.
Reviews
Photos from others