Silvan Marfurt and Ralph van den Berg probably didn't notice much of the last few metres of trail down to Küblis. Battered by cramps and aching limbs, the two enduro amateurs only jumped off their bikes late in the evening on 21 June 2021, but looked proudly at their GPS watch: 20845 metres of depth in one day, a world record. The two Swiss riders had been in the saddle since four o'clock in the morning for this record attempt. They first travelled up by car shuttle, then took the early staff gondola from Klosters up to the Gotschnagrat. According to the regulations, each trail may only be ridden once - and as respectable as the performance of the two athletes is, the glory and honour goes above all to the area that makes such a record possible in the first place.
Davos - the region around the highest town in Europe boasts a total of 700 kilometres of trails - such a network of mountain bike trails is unrivalled in the entire Alpine region. Each of the six local mountains - Rinerhorn, Jakobshorn, Pischa, Parsenn, Gotschna and Madrisa - offers enough material for several day tours on its own. Not to mention the freeride routes down to the neighbouring village of Klosters. Following the example of the legendary A-Line in Whistler, the trail builders here have created the six-kilometre-long "Graubünden A-Line Gotschna Freeride" route - with over 200 jumps, Northshore elements and wall rides. So it's better to take a whole week rather than a day to explore this area. And even then, it will be difficult to cross only the best trails in the region off your bucket list.
These are our favourite trails in Davos
Our four favourite tours in Davos Klosters all have a backcountry character. Although they all start with a cable car lift from the town, they then swing up the mountain flanks in thinning air. The route leads over ridges, intermediate peaks and passes, even into the neighbouring valley towards the Engadin. Of course, the IMBA-awarded Alps Epic Trail from the Jakobshorn over the Rinerhorn down to Filisur is not to be missed. It also contains some tough climbs, but these were one of the reasons for the award, which no other trail in the entire Alpine region has received.
So what you should bring with you to Davos Klosters: solid riding technique and You get kilometres of enduro fun, spectacular Alpine scenery and a relaxed atmosphere where mountain bikers are part of the normal cityscape.
The 4 best trail tours from Davos Klosters
Tour 1: The Alps Epic Trail
Length: 36.2 kilometres
Uphill: 696 metres in altitude
Downhill: 2143 metres of descent
Difficulty: medium to difficult
Tour description
At least 20 miles long, 80 per cent singletrack and an epic experience of nature - these are the requirements to be ennobled as an "Epic Trail" by the IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association). Only one trail in the Alps has ever achieved this, and only 5 in the whole of Europe. The start shortly after the Jakobshorn mountain station lives up to its name: the trail curves in wide sweeps, sometimes flowing, sometimes blocked, 600 metres down into the Sertig valley. From here, it's best to take off your windbreaker, as you now have to make the challenging ascent to the Rinerhorn under your own steam. The trail also winds its way up the back of the mountain, with technical ups and downs all the way to Monstein - where the Ducan restaurant serves delicious capuns. Energy that you will need, as the trail then winds through the forest slopes high above the Landwasser, sometimes exposed, before descending steeply into the Zügen Gorge. Deep down in the valley, you follow the trails along the river, pass under the famous Landwasser Viaduct (which you later cross by train) and finally arrive in Filisur. From here, take the Rhaetian Railway back to Davos.
Tour 2: The Chörbschhorn Trail
Length: 13.4 kilometres
Uphill: 346 metres in altitude
Downhill: 1503 metres in depth
Difficulty: medium
Tour description:
The perfect trail is debatable. But the 1000 metres downhill from the Chörbschhorn hut to Frauenkirch is probably close to the optimum for real connoisseurs. The curve radii, gradient and rhythm of the spectacular ridge trail are perfect. The trail doesn't feel artificial or contrived. But before you fall into a deep metre rush, there are still a few metres of altitude to conquer despite the ascent on the Parsennbahn. After a few fun berms below the Weissfluhjoch mountain station, the spectacular rocky path leads down to the Strela Pass and from there up some steep ramps to the Chörbschhorn mountain hut. The trail described above starts here. Shortly before the finale in Frauenkirch, at 1900 metres, one of the most beautiful places to stop for refreshments in the region awaits: the Berghaus Stafelalp still stands almost exactly as the Walser people built it 250 years ago. If you still haven't had enough after the Chörbschhorn trail, you can extend the loop via the Rinerhorn (gondola) and the trail over the Sertig valley down to Davos.
Tour 3 + 4: Two-day tour to the Keschhütte
Length: 54.5 kilometres
Uphill: 1729 metres in altitude
Difficulty: difficult (technical and physical)
Tour description:
Endless single trails, fantastic views, the romance of mountain huts, but also tough pushing sections and challenging descents - if you want to tackle this two-day high alpine tour between Davos and the Engadin, you need to be in good shape and have good riding skills. Then this tour offers a real trail adventure off the beaten track. The first highlight starts directly after the ascent with the Jakobshorn cable car. A spectacular ridge trail balances high above Davos and later winds its way down into the idyllic Dischma valley in wild hairpin bends. After this real gem of a singletrail, the route now heads leisurely towards the end of the valley. But then the Scaletta Pass looms up with its relentlessly steep gravel switchbacks. The descent to Alp Funtauna and the long and ultimately steep ascent to the Keschhütte are then again on flawless singletrails. The next day, an exposed mountain trail (sliding passages) leads over the mountain lakes Lai da Ravais-ch Sur and Lai da Ravais-ch Suot, then it's down to Bergün on super-technical trails. From there, you roll along gravel paths and trails to Filisur and take the Rhaetian Railway back to Davos.
Info Davos Klosters
The precinct
Davos is located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden at an altitude of 1560 metres and, with around 11,000 inhabitants, already counts as a town. This makes Davos the highest town in
in Europe. The local mountains of Davos Klosters, Rinerhorn, Jakobshorn, Pischa, Parsenn, Gotschna and Madrisa, are traditional ski mountains in the Davos Klosters region. In summer, various ski lifts open up an arena for bikers with a trail network of around 700 kilometres. Most of these trails are shared by bikers and hikers, as is the case almost everywhere in Graubünden.
Cable cars around Davos
A total of five cable cars in Davos and Klosters are equipped for bike transport. Continuous summer operation (before/after weekend operation):
Jakobshorn cable car: season from 24.6.-22.10.23,
Parsenn Davos (Weissfluhjoch): 23.6.-6.10.23
Parsenn Klosters: 1.7.-15.10.23
Rinerhorn: 17.6.-22.10.23
Madrisa: 17.6.-22.10.23
If you book one or more overnight stays, you will receive the Premium Card, which allows you to use the Postbus and Rhaetian Railway free of charge and the cable cars at reduced prices.
Day ticket incl. bike valid for all five cable cars: 60 Swiss francs (61.50 euros) Detailed information: www.davos.ch
Accommodation for bikers
The region offers 13 special hotels for bikers in different price categories. Further information and bookings are best made via www.davos.ch/bike-hotels.
The Keschhütte is situated at an altitude of 2625 metres and welcomes bikers. Important: book early and bring a sleeping bag.
The season up here lasts from 17 June to 15.10.23
Attention E-MTBers: charging batteries is not possible here!
Overnight stay with half board: 81 Swiss francs (83 euros). Info: www.kesch.ch
Special event: BIKE Women Camp 2023
From 31 August to 3 September, Davos Klosters will host the first ever BIKE Women Camp instead. Our 4-star base camp: the Hotel Ameron. The bike exhibitors also pitch their tents here. This means that the distances between extensive trail tours, riding technique exercises, test bikes and equipment, workshops, yoga, sauna, Aperol Sprizz sundowners and barbecue evenings on the terrace are wonderfully short and there is more time for having fun together. Cross country racer Sina Frei will also be there!
Price incl. camp programme, accommodation in the 4-star Hotel Ameron, packed lunches, one dinner, one evening in a mountain hut, 4-day lift ticket, yoga and fascia training: 599 euros.
All information and booking: bike-woman.de
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
