4.4
(413)
3,215
riders
10
rides
Mountain biking around Vals, Switzerland, offers diverse terrain ranging from lush forests and serene valleys to majestic alpine peaks. The region is characterized by its dramatic Grisons mountains, providing a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities. Trails often ascend above the tree line, revealing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and sometimes a reservoir. This area provides a varied network of routes for mountain bikers of all skill levels.
Last updated: July 18, 2026
4.7
(26)
162
riders
32.5km
03:53
1,320m
1,320m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.7
(3)
64
riders
13.4km
01:31
510m
520m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

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3.8
(5)
44
riders
20.2km
01:59
750m
750m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(3)
21
riders
13.9km
01:36
580m
580m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
12
riders
15.4km
01:50
490m
490m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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Start at the Vals cable car. The gondola is free in summer. A simple but beautiful hike through the raised moor. At the Zervraila reservoir, return to Vals by scooter. These can be rented at the restaurant at Lake Zervraila. You return to the cable car parking lot.
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In summer, every Saturday village market
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Very nice view of the valley, yurts can also be rented for overnight stays
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Vals Deep in the Valsertal, a side valley of the Surselva south of Ilanz, at 1250m lies the mountain village of Vals. Around the village square are still original Walser houses covered with stone slabs of Vals quartzite. The quiet Grisons resort offers hiking pleasure, wellness in the thermal bath and winter sports opportunities on the Dachberg. The Valsertal owes its wilderness and diversity in a small space to the forces of water. Over millions of years, ice and rain have shaped the deeply cut mountain valley. Vals' most important asset is the 30-degree thermal spring, the only one in Graubünden that comes directly from the ground. The thermal bath, built by star architect Peter Zumthor from local quartzite, showcases the elements of water and stone and combines them to create a wellness experience. The building of timeless quality and simple elegance has also become a place of pilgrimage for those interested in architecture. An intact agriculture and alpine farming characterises the valley and delights attentive mountaineers: A few years ago, the Vals farmers decided to produce exclusively organic products. Text / Source: myswitzerland.com https://www.myswitzerland.com/de-ch/reiseziele/vals-valsertal/
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Vals Village Square Around the village square, you can still see original Walser houses covered with stone slabs of Vals quartzite. Text / Source: myswitzerland.com https://www.myswitzerland.com/de-ch/reiseziele/vals-valsertal/
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Zervreilasee at 1862 m The Zervreilasee, also spelled Zerfreilasee, is a reservoir in the municipality of Vals in the canton of Graubünden. The lake is at the back of the Vals valley between the peaks of the Fanellhorn, Zervreilahorn and Frunthorn at an altitude of 1862 meters above sea level. The lake got its name from the village of Zervreila, which was flooded by the damming. The Zerfreila reservoir is fed by the Canalbach, the Hornbach, the Finsterbach and the Valser Rhein, among others, with the latter also draining away after the dam wall. The gravity dam on the northeastern shore of the lake was built in the 1960s and is 151m high. Depending on the water level, Lake Zervreila is around four kilometers long. Text / source: Schweizersee.ch https://www.schweizersee.ch/zervreilasee/
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Zervreila power plants (KWZ), Vals Kraftwerke Zervreila AG (KWZ), based in Vals, was founded on May 17, 1952 as a partner company. Around CHF 285 million was spent during the construction years 1953 - 1958, most of which went to the country's construction industry and the machine and apparatus industry. The large and small industrial companies in the catchment area of the concession communities benefited from a large number of different orders and job awards. At the time when the workforce was at its highest, up to 1,500 people were employed on the KWZ construction sites. The plants were commissioned in 1958. Text / Source: Kraftwerke Zervreila AG, Vadianstrasse 59, 9000 St. Gallen https://www.kwz.ch/ueber-uns/geschichte/
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There are 10 mountain bike trails listed in this guide, offering diverse experiences. The region of Vals itself boasts over 50 kilometers of well-marked biking routes that cater to various skill levels.
Vals offers incredibly diverse terrain, from lush forests and serene valleys to majestic alpine peaks. You'll find trails winding through picturesque pine forests, ascending to alpine heights above the tree line, and traversing alpine pastures on the sunny side of the Vals Valley. The dramatic Grisons mountains provide a stunning backdrop throughout.
Yes, Vals offers routes suitable for various skill levels. While many trails are challenging, there are options for families and beginners. For example, the guide lists 1 easy and 2 moderate routes. Some routes feature easy blue difficulty alpine singletracks that are multi-use and easy to follow.
Many routes offer magnificent panoramic views. You can expect to see stunning vistas of the Grisons mountains, reservoirs like the Zervreila reservoir, and beautiful Swiss stone pine forests. Trails often ascend above the tree line, revealing breathtaking landscapes.
Yes, Vals features several circular mountain bike routes. Examples include the Zervreila Chapel – Canal Bridge loop from Vals, the Peil Kiosk and Goat Herd – Vals village square loop from Vals, and the Zervreila Chapel – Vals village square loop from Vals. The Vals village square – Leis Settlement loop from Vals also offers a varied experience.
The mountain biking season in Vals typically runs from spring through autumn, when trails are clear of snow and weather conditions are most favorable. Summer offers lush landscapes and warmer temperatures, while early autumn provides crisp air and vibrant foliage, often with stable weather for riding.
The mountain bike trails in Vals are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 400 reviews. Riders often praise the diverse terrain, from lush forests to alpine peaks, and the rewarding panoramic views, especially those overlooking reservoirs and the Grisons mountains.
Yes, several mountain huts and restaurants are located along or near the trails, providing potential resting points or places to refuel. Notable options include the Gadastatt Panorama Restaurant and the Zervreila Restaurant and Dam. Other huts like Kiosk Peil - Geissalp Peil Sust, Länta Hütte SAC, Lampertschalp, Alp Selva, and Alp Tomül are also in the vicinity.
For experienced riders seeking a challenge, Vals offers several difficult routes. The Zervreila Chapel – Canal Bridge loop from Vals is a demanding 20.2-mile trail with significant elevation gain. The Tomül Pass – Vals village square loop from Vals is another difficult and physically demanding option, rewarding riders with great panoramas.
The Grisons region, where Vals is located, promotes the 'Fairtrail Grisons' initiative, which officially permits mountain biking on hiking trails to ensure harmonious coexistence. While this suggests a multi-use environment, it's always recommended to keep dogs on a leash and ensure they are well-behaved and accustomed to sharing trails with others.
Yes, the area around Vals features several natural monuments. You can visit the impressive Lago di Luzzone and Luzzone Dam, explore the unique Greina Plateau, or discover Lake Carassina. The Waarma Chrachä Earth Fissure and Acquarossa Thermal Springs are also nearby attractions.
The duration of mountain bike tours in Vals varies significantly depending on the route's length and difficulty. For instance, the Peil Kiosk and Goat Herd – Vals village square loop from Vals typically takes around 1 hour 29 minutes, while the more extensive Zervreila Chapel – Canal Bridge loop from Vals can take approximately 3 hours 44 minutes.


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