FATMAP by Strava

Lauberhorn Traverse

Bernese Oberland

Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren

Kleine Scheidegg/Männlichen

An epic journey beneath some of the most famous mountains in the Alps.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
25 km
Ascent
1.3 km
Descent
1.5 km
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
782 m
High Point
2.1 km
Gradient
12˚
Lauberhorn Traverse Map

Rides don't get much more dramatic than this; the trip begins beneath the legendary Eiger north face and ends in Lauterbrunnen - one of the World's BASE jumping meccas thanks to its countless huge cliffs.

Description

Sadly (for bikers) the famous train which winds its way up from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg does not allow bikes to be transported before 4pm each day, so unless you're doing this ride at the height of summer - and are confident that you can ride from Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen before darkness - you'll need to pedal up. Follow roads and then a jeep track from Grindelwald Grund and climb steadily all the way to Kleine Scheidegg. There isn't much detail to add here - just keep pedalling away and stop for a look at the view any time you need some inspiration!

When you do finally emerge at Kleine Scheidegg, it's worth putting in just a couple of extra minutes of effort to reach the Restaurant Grindelwaldblick. The restaurant (as the name suggests) enjoys a great view of Grindelwald but it's the Eiger north face which dominates the panorama, and there can't be many more scenic places to enjoy a fondu than on the restaurant's terrace. From the restaurant, it's downhill virtually all the way down to Lauterbrunnen so don't worry about overindulging - your work is almost done and your rewards await!

Suitably bloated, ride back down to Kleine Scheidegg and turn east before making a short climb and then a gorgeous long traverse beneath the Jungfrau north face to an old barn. Here the fun really starts! Zip along an easy section of single track and then head down a really rocky section of trail which leads down to the Wengernalp train station. Pass around this and then drop onto a brilliant section of flowy terrain, initially in the open and then in a forest before emerging out into more open terrain which leads to a jeep track. All the riding between the Wengernalp and the jeep track is fast, flowy and fun. The views aren't bad either!

Drop into the forest again and follow some technical, tight trails along the top of some truly enormous cliffs. These cliff tops are fenced off anytime you get really close to them, but knowing how close you are to precipitous drops does rather add to the "excitement"! The riding gets easier the further down the trail you go, and the final section before reaching the road is epically fun.

Upon reaching the road, follow it and then a wide, easy trail down into Lauterbrunnen, where a celebratory drink and a train ride back to Grindelwald await.

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between June and October

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Road sections
  • Roots
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens
  • Wooden Feature

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area