Alps Epic Trail Davos

Anyone who rides up almost 1000 meters in altitude from Jakobshorn to Filisur and down far more is on the more than 40-kilometer-long "Alps Epic Trail Davos." The trail's flagship. The well-known mountain bike route in the Davos Klosters destination is the first and so far only one in Switzerland to be awarded the "Epic Trail" title by the international mountain bike organization "IMBA." Its inclusion in the Olympus of the best mountain bike trails has increased its popularity enormously in a short space of time. No wonder: only three other routes in Europe, in Finland, Wales and Iceland, have received this award so far.

Part of this route runs on the way from Jakobshorn to Sertig and up to Rinerhorn, which is also very popular for hiking. In the summer months of June to October 2019 alone, 21,000 hikers and 9,800 bikers were counted on this route. And the trend is rising. Sometimes it's like shopping before holidays or in rush hour on the commuter train: wherever people get too close, they get into arguments. Bikers want to ride single trails without constantly braking. Hikers, on the other hand, want to enjoy nature without having the feeling that someone is constantly approaching from behind. Time to untangle the routes.

Last summer, the Trail Crew began construction work. As this is the longest disentanglement of its kind in Switzerland, Davos Klosters is once again taking a pioneering role in the biking sector. The new sections of the trail are 8.2 kilometers long in total. The hiking trail is designed so that it always runs a few meters above the mountain bike trail. While bikers previously had to pass hikers on the same path, hikers and bikers will now only share the path on short sections. And most importantly: the character of the path will be preserved. Stones on site were used for the construction and removed surface layers were used to renaturalize wild paths.

Speaking of construction: The route disentanglement has progressed faster than planned and has been completed since summer 2023. On the stretch from Äbirügg to Sertig Sand, around 75 percent of the total route has been disentangled, and from the reservoir at Jakobshorn to Sertig Dorf it is around 50 percent. On the most important part of this route, i.e. the downhill from Witiberg, bikers have free rein.

The train takes you right to the top of the Jakobshorn, where the tour begins. You drive along the gravel road towards Sertig Dörfli. After a short climb, the single trail begins. Since it was renovated in 2015, it has been very nice to ride and the 730 meters of altitude to Sertig Dörfli fly by. Here you can either take a coffee break with the mountain guide or continue on the road to Sertig Sand to the Walserhuus refreshment stop and from there take the single trail to the Rinerhorn. This part of the route is signposted as route 647 Rinerhorn/Sertig, but in the opposite direction.

After a good 205 meters of altitude you reach the Äbirügg fireplace. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view. Continue on the road towards the Rinerhorn mountain station, past the mountain restaurant Rinerhorn. Soon the single trail branches off to the left towards Monstein. From here you can follow the route signs 335 Monstein. A hilly route leads via Nidel Löffel, Leidbach, Hauder- and Oberalp to Monstein. Here you will find the Monstein brewery. Good places to stop for a break are the Veltlinerstübli and the Ducan restaurant. However, you shouldn't eat too much as there are still a few kilometers ahead of you.

Continue on to Jenisberg. From now on, follow the route signs 338 Zügenschlucht. From Monstein, you first drive past the sawmill in the direction of the former ore mines/Silberberg, but before that turn left onto a slightly wider path that takes you further uphill. At Teuf Zügji, you have completed the altitude and turn right onto a single trail. From here, caution is advised as the path drops steeply in places. For bikers who don't suffer from vertigo, the ride is a pleasure. Through Brunnentöbeli, you continue past Löser, through Chüetobel until just before Jenisberg. A detour to Jenisberg is definitely worth it; you can get something to eat at the Gässälibeiz.

From Jenisberg, you can take the steep road down to Wiesen train station. Here, you should be careful of oncoming vehicles. If you want, you can treat yourself to a small snack at the "Züga-Beizli" with homemade, local specialties. From Wiesen train station, leave route 337 and follow the hiking sign to Leidboden, always along the Landwasser until you are under the Landwasser viaduct. After this impressive view, you climb up to Filisur train station, where you should treat yourself to a Filisur organic ice cream while you wait for the train.