Planning to travel from afar to join us in Switzerland? We highly recommend arriving a few days early to ensure a stress-free start to your e-bike Alpine adventure. This way, you can avoid any unexpected travel delays and also give yourself some time to adjust and fully immerse yourself in the stunning surroundings of Crans-Montana. Take advantage of the extra time to explore this enchanting destination to its fullest potential! Accommodation for the night is at your arrangement.
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This is not your typical Haute Route. Skipping the well-trodden Chamonix–Zermatt corridor entirely, this 5-day adventure cuts deep into the hidden trails of the Swiss Alps—we'll cover 193 km (120 mi). Expect lesser-known, far less crowded, and packed with UNESCO World Heritage landscapes, charming mountain villages, and dramatic ridgelines most cyclists never get to see. We start in Crans-Montana and work our way through the Valais region, covering 193 km (120 mi) over five days before finishing in Bettmeralp, right above the Aletsch Glacier—Europe's largest. For experienced riders with strong fitness and a taste for the road less ridden.
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We kick off our e-bike journey in Crans-Montana, rolling onto a succession of incredibly flowy up-and-down trails. Playful, fast, and full of rhythm, these trails set the perfect tone for the adventure ahead. We maintain this lively pace throughout the day, gradually making our way toward the dramatic high cliffs above Leukerbad. The scenery becomes increasingly powerful, with towering rock walls creating a sense of verticality. We end the day with a well-earned dip in a thermal spa to relax and recover.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Cycling: 37 km (23 mi)
Elevation: +1,700 m (+5,577 ft) / -1,800 m (-5,906 ft)
Accommodation: Les sources des Alpes, Leukerbad
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We start the day with a solid climb to gain altitude and earn the upcoming views. Before long, we reach a stunning balcony trail, riding high above the valley with breathtaking scenery unfolding at every turn. Our route leads us into the Lötschental Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage area known for its preserved landscapes and deep-rooted traditions. We roll through charming villages before settling in for the night at the small mountain resort of Lauchernalp, surrounded by peaks and silence.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 42 km (26 mi)
Elevation: +2,500 m (+8,202 ft) / -1,900 m (-6,234 ft)
Accommodation: Alpenhotel Zur Wildi, Lauchernalp
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We begin with a succession of fun, playful singletrack trails that instantly set a great mood. After loading our bikes onto a panoramic train to soak in the scenery, we face the toughest challenge of the day: a climb to a 2,600-meter alpine pass. Majestic views open toward the pristine Binntal Valley, a place rich in culture and raw natural beauty. We finish at the historic Hotel Ofenhorn, a timeless building that embodies the authentic soul of Switzerland.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 50 km (31 mi)
Elevation: +2,600 m (+8,530 ft) / -2,800 m (-9,186 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel Ofenhorn, Binn
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Today we head toward one of the most breathtaking sites in the Alps: the Aletsch Glacier, the longest and largest in Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into the geological history of the High Alps. We ride along a ridge overlooking the glacier, taking our time to admire this spectacular natural gem. After a magical day on the trails, we spend the evening in Bettmeralp, dazzled by the splendid Alpine panorama that surrounds our accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
Riding: 48 km (30 mi)
Elevation: +2,600 m (+8,530 ft) / -2,100 m (-6,890 ft)
Accommodation: Waldhaus Hotel, Bettmeralp
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Savour a morning coffee on a scenic terrace before enjoying one final descent into the Rhone Valley. With hearts full of joy and minds brimming with unforgettable memories, it’s time to head home—or maybe you’d like to stay longer in the area and keep on exploring!
Meals: Breakfast
Riding: 16 km (10 mi)
Elevation loss: -1,250 m (-4,101 ft)
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Included:
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- An experienced MTB guide with extensive local knowledge of the area
- Haute Route e-MTB adventure (5 or 7 days, depending on your chosen itinerary)
- Accommodation for 4 or 6 nights in great hotels (double occupancy)
- Group private shuttle van transfers from designated meeting points at the start of your trip as well as transfers post-ride to either the nearest train station or location where trip began
- Luggage transfers
- All lifts
- All breakfasts, picnic dinners, and lunches, as in the itinerary
- Snacks for every day
- Mechanical support during the adventure
Add-ons (possible to add at checkout):
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- High-performance e-MTB rental (including two 750W batteries per day + insurance)
- Single occupancy room
Not included:
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- Transportation to/from starting/end point
- Airport transfers — we recommend Mountain Drop-Offs
- Accommodation before or after the tour (can be arranged, let us know if interested at checkout)
- Personal items, expenses, spare parts
- Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
- Guide gratuities — optional
- Insurance — strongly recommended, available to add at checkout
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- Classic Haute Route (7 days, Chamonix to Zermatt): The full crossing from France to Switzerland, and the longest and toughest version, at 279 km (173 mi) with long climbs and technical singletrack. It’s best for experienced riders with strong fitness.
- Shortened Haute Route (5 days, Verbier to Zermatt): The same level as the Classic, packed into four big riding days, including a 72 km (45 mi) final stage. It’s a good fit if you’re short on time but want the full challenge.
- UNESCO Haute Route (5 days, Crans-Montana to the Aletsch Glacier): Lesser-known trails through a UNESCO World Heritage Site, far from the crowds. It’s just as technical as the Classic but slightly less demanding physically.
- Beginners Re-Imagined Haute Route (7 days, Chamonix to Zermatt): For riders with little or no mountain biking experience. It swaps technical singletrack for gravel roads and wide trails, at a gentler pace. Basic fitness is enough, but you should be comfortable riding 2–4 hours a day.
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For the classic Haute Route (7 days, Chamonix-Zermatt) | shortened Haute Route (5 days, Verbier-Zermatt)| UNESCO Haute Route (5 days, Swiss Alps), you should…
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- Exercise 2 to 3 times per week for at least 30 minutes and feel good after a demanding workout with some high-intensity intervals.
- Be comfortable riding 4–6 hours per day for up to 6 consecutive days.
- Have been mountain biking for at least 2 years, comfortable on gentle singletrack, over rocks and roots, and on steep flowing descents—for the 7-day Haute Route & UNESCO Haute Route, this would be ideally 3+ years, with full confidence on all types of singletrack, exposed paths, and rocky technical terrain.
- Not mind pushing your bike for longer stretches over sections where the terrain gets too tricky.
- Know when it’s time to get off the bike and walk a section.
For the beginner-friendly, re-imagined Haute Route (7 days, Chamonix-Zermatt), you should:
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- Engage in casual exercise or recreational sports once or twice a week and feel good moving your body with regular breaks and a comfortable rhythm.
- Be comfortable riding 2–4 hours per day for a few consecutive days.
- Have limited MTB experience or primarily ride on the road; feel at ease on wide dirt trails, doubletrack, and gravel paths.
- Prefer rideable terrain with only short bike-pushing sections.
- Be happy to get off the bike and walk whenever terrain becomes uneven or technical.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more bike trips in the European Alps here!
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Depends on the itinerary! Essentially, for the beginner-friendly itinerary, you don’t need MTB experience. For all others, you do.
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- For the classic Haute Route (7 days, Chamonix-Zermatt) & UNESCO Haute Route (5 days, Swiss Alps), you should have been mountain biking for at least 2 years and feel comfortable on gentle singletrack, over rocks and roots, and on steep flowing descents. Ideally, you have 3 or more years of experience and feel fully confident on all types of singletrack, including exposed paths and rocky technical terrain.
- For the shortened Haute Route (5 days, Verbier-Zermatt), the same 2-year baseline applies—comfortable on gentle singletrack, rocks and roots, and steep flowing trails, with a clear sense of when to get off the bike. 3+ years of experience aren’t necessary here.
- For the beginner-friendly, re-imagined Haute Route (7 days, Chamonix-Zermatt), significant MTB experience isn’t required. Limited experience is fine, as is primarily riding on the road—as long as you feel at ease on wide dirt trails, doubletrack, and gravel paths.
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The Haute Route is a classic high-alpine crossing between Chamonix, France, and Zermatt, Switzerland—traditionally done on foot or skis, now also ridden by e-mountain bike. We run it as a 5- to 7-day guided trip, with four route options depending on your experience and how much time you have. More info above.
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Your main luggage will be transferred lodging-to-lodging. Please bring soft, reasonably sized, and lightweight bags—this makes loading and transport much easier.
Personal equipment:
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- Mountain bike-specific helmet
- Mountain bike-specific shoes (can also work as hiking shoes)
- Bike gloves and glasses
- Knee and elbow pads
- Waterproof jacket
- Biking shorts (at least 2 pairs)
- Long-sleeved base layers (merino wool ideal)
- Short-sleeved and long-sleeved biking tops
- Socks (at least 4 pairs)
- Buff (neck gaiter)
- Warm down jacket for evenings
- Hat and gloves
- Sunscreen
- Hydration system (Camelback ideal)
- 20L (minimum) daypack with rain cover
- A towel
- A swimsuit
- Your toiletry bag (including SPF)
Bike essentials (if you rent the bike with your guides, they will take care of all the equipment):
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- Bike-specific brake pads (x2 sets)
- If you use tubeless tires, bring everything needed for repairs
- Tire repair kit, inner tubes (min. 2), and small pump
- Chain-specific ‘quick link’
- Additional derailleur hanger
- Spare parts unique to your bike (if applicable)
- Full service, including suspension, must be undertaken prior to the trip
- Extra battery for the bike
- Battery charger
If you’re bringing your own bike, make sure it is full suspension and serviced for maximum enjoyment during the adventure. A second battery is also necessary as the trip stages are long and the Alps are steep!
Keep in mind that this Haute Route e-MTB tour takes place in the mountains, where the weather is unpredictable. Therefore, it’s important to have enough warm clothes and some waterproof layers—there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes!
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Yes! To make your Haute Route e-MTB adventure as hassle free as possible, your guides offer e-MTB rental.
The model offered is FLYER Uproc EVO:X 8.7, a premium Swiss-designed e-enduro bike built for powerful climbs and confident handling on technical descents. When renting a bike with your guide, two 750W batteries per day are also included.
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- Frame & geometry — Lightweight carbon frame with a flip-chip system and a 64° head angle for precise downhill control.
- Motor & battery — Bosch Performance Line CX motor (85 Nm) and a 750 Wh integrated battery for long-range rides.
- Suspension & wheels — FOX 38 Float Performance fork and FOX Float X2 rear shock with 170 mm travel. Mullet setup: 29″ front for stability, 27.5″ rear for agility.
- Riding character — A well-balanced e-enduro bike offering efficient climbing and stable descending.
- Approx. weight: 26 kg, depending on size and setup.
Protective gear is essential for this trip. You may fall at least once, and even a single fall can lead to injury. Elbow and knee pads are strongly recommended to help prevent potential harm!
If renting a bike with us, bike insurance is already included in the price as any damages beyond normal wear and tear are at the participant’s charge.
If you’re bringing your own bike, make sure it is full suspension and serviced for maximum enjoyment during the adventure. A second battery is also necessary as the trip stages are long and the Alps are steep!
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Your guides don’t recommend it. Completing this route in five or seven days—45–55 km (28–34 mi) and up to 2,700 m (8,860 ft) of climbing per day—is nearly impossible unless you’re an elite athlete. But that’s not the goal.
After testing both regular and e-bikes, your guides found e-bikes are the best way to experience the Haute Route: climbs become fun, descents still rewarding, and there’s more time to enjoy the Alps and connect with the group.
With adjustable modes, e-bikes keep everyone together and let you choose between challenge and support—making the journey both epic and enjoyable!
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Group sizes and prices:
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- For this Haute Route e-MTB tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1.
- It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants.
- It’s possible to organize private adventures—the minimum number of people is set at 5 participants, and maximum at 10-11. Trips can be customized to your group.
- Solo travelers can share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee. However, if the guide is unable to find a suitable roommate, a single supplement will be forced.
E-mountain biking along the Haute Route can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- If you have people older than 60 in your group, please contact us beforehand.
- Children as young as 14 are able to go on trips. That said, if you have a young rider in your group strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet, and rough terrain, then they can participate in the presence of a parent or a legal guardian. Please keep in mind that e-bikes might weigh up to 24 kg (53 lbs).
If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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The price for e-MTB along the Haute Route is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
If you’re traveling solo and don’t select this option, you agree to share a room with another cyclist. However, if the guide is unable to find a suitable roommate, a single supplement will be forced.
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The season runs July through October. Early in the season, high passes can still be holding snow from winter; later, in September and October, you get clearer trails but shorter days and cooler mornings. Guides adjust the exact route based on conditions in a given year.
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Your adventure either starts in Chamonix, Verbier, or Crans-Montana, depending on your chosen itinerary.
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- To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount! If you’re arriving by car, the guides will meet you at a free parking spot in Chamonix—they’ve never experienced any issues with this solution.
- To get to Verbier, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA). From there, it takes anywhere between 2 to 3 hours to reach Verbier, depending on whether you rent a car, take a shuttle service, or use public transport.
- The starting point of your UNESCO Haute Route e-MTB adventure is Crans-Montana in Switzerland. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA). From there, it takes anywhere between 2 to 3 hours to reach Crans-Montana. You can take a train or rent a car to reach Crans-Montana.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, usually somewhere in town in the morning. We highly recommend you arrive at least one day before the start of the e-MTB Haute Route guided trip and stay in Chamonix.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
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