From summer 2025, Gornergrat Bahn trains from Zermatt will no longer carry bicycles: a measure intended to increase seating capacity and improve passenger comfort according to the company.
This decision, which is part of an ecological strategy aimed at making Gornergrat a destination “close to nature”, arouses incomprehension and frustration among mountain bikers, reports the “Walliser Bote”. Recurring conflicts between cyclists and hikers, particularly on trails, also motivated this ban. Although the Riffelberg cable cars continue to welcome mountain bike enthusiasts, this measure comes at a delicate time, when Valais will host the Mountain Bike World Championships in 2025.
Tourism professionals fear that this ban will erode Zermatt's appeal for mountain bikers. With its unique trail network and ongoing advertising campaigns, this alpine region is seen as a mountain biking paradise. According to Thomas Giger, publisher of “Ride” magazine, such a measure could harm the image of the destination by implying that cyclists are less welcome.
Although the Tourist Office assures that other options remain available, such as the E-Bike or the Riffelberg cabins, this decision is struggling to convince those mainly concerned.
