The new project, known as Gstaad Bikeworld, will consolidate and optimise the region’s bike trails. Gstaad Bikeworld will focus on bike sports in general, and work to develop both Downhill and Freestyle slopes designed to show off the natural beauty of the region. 

Work in Progress

Since last October, Allegra Tourism has intensively scrutinised and analysed the situation, formulating a plan for the best way forward. This began with choosing the specific mountain area to develop.

Horneggli was selected as the first mountain to receive improvements for biking. It was chosen for its altitude difference of 540 meters, as well as potential connections (including railway and cable car) to surrounding villages like Saanenmöser, Turbach, Zweisimmen and Gstaad. Horneggli already offers options for family, racing and road cycling, making it an ideal spot for beginners and experts alike.

Experienced bike trail planners have already prepared mock-ups of the potential trails, taking the mountain’s diverse topography into consideration. Beginning mid-July, they will meet with local landowners to discuss the final routing of the trails. 

Where There’s a Wheel, There’s a Way

While initial improvements were expected to be finished this summer, the project has faced some unusual difficulties. 

Coordinating the development of trails takes a significant amount of effort, especially in Canton Bern. The Canton has no official workflow for such a project, leaving the responsibilities and procedures up in the air. 

As a result, no fewer than 34 individuals are involved, from various cantonal and municipal organisations and also landowners, who must reach a consensus on various aspects of the plans as the process moves forward. This includes Canton Bern’s Department of Civil Engineering, Office of Spatial Planning, Department of Forestry, Hunting Inspection and Department of Agriculture, amongst others. 

“The Canton of Bern still needs to catch up in the area of mountain biking, and so working with these clarifications is lengthy,” says Martin Bachofner, CEO of Gstaad Bike World, with some regret.

Why Gstaad?

There are many reasons to choose the Saanenland for cycling. With a varied topography ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 metres, the Saanenland is the perfect place for any bike sports. 

Part of Gstaad Bikeworld’s mandate is to promote the region as a biking destination. Steps are now being taken to certify bikehotels in the Saanenland. Additionally, existing trails will be adapted to suit bikers more easily. For example, fences cutting across trails will be replace with bike-friendly versions to allow cyclists to pass easily. 

The first completed bike trails on the Horneggli are expected to open summer or fall 2015.