Mountain Biking in Zermatt: Trails, E-Biking and Summer Skiing
Zermatt might be best known for its skiing, but once summer arrives, it quietly becomes one of the best mountain biking destinations in the Alps. The views are still incredible, the lifts are still spinning and the Matterhorn is still doing its thing.
Mountain biking here is as much about the scenery as the riding. You can spend the day weaving through alpine meadows, racing down flow trails or pedalling to a mountain restaurant for a rösti with a view. And if you’re feeling ambitious, you can even ski in the morning and bike in the afternoon.
The Trails
Zermatt’s trail network covers more than 100 km of signed routes, many shared with hikers - so keep that bell handy. Expect everything from smooth forest tracks and panoramic ridgelines to rocky descents and mellow gravel roads that meander through quiet, historic hamlets.
For classic high-alpine riding, start from Blauherd or Riffelberg, linking panoramic singletrack with fast, flowing sections that drop past larch forests and glacial streams. The Chämihitta flow trail and the Moos Trail are local favourites—both offering big smiles for minimal effort.
If you’re after something gentler, the trails around Sunnegga and Findeln deliver smooth, scenic riding with plenty of mountain restaurants en route. Prefer going off the beaten track? Head toward Zmutt or out to Täschalp, where the crowds thin out and the Matterhorn views stretch endlessly. Fortunately, with your very own guide included in an OTP biking holiday to Zermatt, you won’t have to worry too much about navigation.
Lifts and Legs
A major attraction of Zermatt is just how much of the surrounding, staggering terrain you can access without a long grind uphill. Modern, bike-friendly lifts whisk you to start points that would take hours to reach otherwise, leaving you fresh for the descents.
Prefer to earn it? There’s a web of rideable roads and trails for climbing under your own steam - and if you’re on an e-bike, even the big ascents feel like a breeze (although the purists out there might argue this would negate the ‘earning it’ part).
E-Biking in the Alps
Love them or loathe them, e-bikes are a genuine game-changer in the Alps. With a battery and motor under you, rides that once took a whole day become morning loops. You can link Täschalp to Schwarzsee without breaking a sweat, ride higher into the ridges above Furi or simply go exploring with the comfort of a turbo boost - just try not to stay on turbo for too long!
They’re easy to rent in town, and most trails are e-bike friendly with plenty of mountain huts and restaurants to discover along the way. Just watch your battery level before venturing too far off the map.
The Ski–Bike Double Day
One of Zermatt’s most unique summer experiences is packing in both skiing and biking in a single day. The glacier at Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m) is Europe’s highest accessible point and home to its largest summer ski area. Ski early while the snow is crisp, then return to town for lunch before swapping skis for wheels. An afternoon ride around the valley or up to a viewpoint makes the perfect warm-weather counterpart to your morning on the snow.
Good to Know
- Rentals: Multiple shops in Zermatt offer bikes, e-bikes, and gear - all of which we can arrange at OTP.
- Lift passes: Day or multi-day options cover all open lifts, and can be booked through us.
- Trail sharing: Hikers have right of way. Be courteous, slow down, and smile.
- Best time to ride: July to mid-October is ideal, though some lower trails open earlier.
Ride Your Way
Whether you’re chasing summit-to-valley descents, linking long scenic loops on an e-bike or simply riding to a mountain restaurant for lunch, Zermatt is a brilliant place to be on two wheels.
Looking to find out for yourself? Let us line up the bikes, the lift passes, and the mountain views - all you need to do is turn the pedals and enjoy the ride. Check out our accommodation on otp.co.uk or simply get in touch and let us know what you’re looking for. Prefer to do it more independently? No worries but don't forget we have discounted rates for summer ski passes as well as popular excursions like Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise right here on SwissPasses.com.
