« A splendid day! Incredible trails in Upper Valais, perfectly adapted to the group's level, Chris is super friendly and extremely accommodating! (precious mechanical help on this day when my bike didn't feel like working! :D) »
Tours · Switzerland
MTB tour 3/4 to the Plaine Morte glacier: 2'700 m of descent from 3'000 metres
Departure from Martigny in the Exo'bus, then the Crans-Montana lifts take us up to nearly 3'000 m, at the foot of the Plaine Morte glacier.
40 km 2'700 m of descent 11 riders max.
- Distance
- 40 km
- Descent
- 2'700 m
- Group
- 11 max.
- Start
- Martigny-Combe 9h00
- Languages
- FR EN DE
In short
The highlights
Departure from Martigny in the Exo'bus, then the Crans-Montana lifts take us up to nearly 3'000 m, at the foot of the Plaine Morte glacier. From there, a long rolling descent all the way down to the Rhône valley, with the Valais 4'000s and the Bernese Alps as a backdrop, and a stop at a mountain hut full of character. 40 km, 600 m of climbing, 2'700 m of descent. Advanced level, local guide.
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The Plaine Morte glacierA glacial plateau at nearly 3'000 m, right beside you as the day begins.
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2'700 m of descent in one sweepFrom the glacier down to the Rhône valley, a rolling descent that never seems to end.
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Views over the Valais 4'000sThe Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and the Dent Blanche on one side, the Bernese Alps on the other.
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Lunch at the mountain hutA break in a hut full of character, halfway down, where the rösti alone is worth the detour.
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A local Swiss Cycling certified guideHe knows the area by heart and runs the group smoothly, for maximum rhythm.
Day by day
The program
The must-ride classic on the Crans-Montana heights
Departure from Martigny in the Exo'bus, heading for Crans-Montana. The lifts take us up in a few minutes to nearly 3'000 m, where the Plaine Morte glacier spreads out its plateau of ice: high-mountain scenery reached without a single minute of pedalling.
The descent opens on rocky high-altitude ground, before dropping into alpine pastures and then forest, in one long rolling plunge towards the Rhône valley. The panorama changes at every level: the Valais 4'000s on one side, the Bernese Alps on the other.
Halfway down, a stop at a mountain hut full of character: that's where we eat, and the rösti alone is worth the detour. Anyone who prefers their own packed lunch is of course welcome to sit down with the group, take a breather and enjoy the view, before setting off for the second half of the descent.
Your guide, a Swiss Cycling certified instructor and still an active racer, picks the lines according to the conditions and runs the group smoothly, for maximum rhythm.
Ready for the Plaine Morte? Small group, limited places: book your spot.
- Distance
- 40 km
- Descent
- 2'700 m
65 CHF per person
What is included
Included
- Local professional MTB guide, Swiss Cycling certified (fr/en/de)
- The transfer by private shuttle (Exo'bus) from Martigny
- Mechanical support and spare bike
- Riding tips
- Souvenir photos
Not included
- The lift pass, around 50 francs, payable on site
- Lunch at the hut, or your own packed lunch if you prefer
- MTB or e-bike and protection rental (optional, in the registration form)
- Personal insurance
- Tips
- Anything not listed under « Included »
Options at registration
Book them in the registration form. Give us your size, we handle the rest.
Ready to ride
Your equipment
Your bike
2'700 m of descent in one sweep, from the glacier to the valley: your bike and your brakes are working for a long time.
The bike
- Full-suspension MTB or e-bike, 150 to 180 mm of travel, fully serviced (no DH bikes or dual-crown forks)
- Mixed-terrain tyres, 2.3" or wider, reinforced casings, set up tubeless with fresh sealant
- Dropper post
- Brake pads in good condition
- Charged battery if e-bike
Spare parts
- 1 compatible derailleur hanger
- 1 inner tube
- 1 set of brake pads
- 1 quick link matching your chain
No suitable bike? We offer MTB or e-bike rental, to be booked in the registration form.
Your gear
On you
- Open-face MTB helmet or helmet with removable chin bar
- Sunglasses
- Knee pads (elbow pads recommended)
- Long-finger gloves
- Bike clothes suited to the day's weather
In the backpack (or hip pack with a separate back protector)
- Back protector
- Rain-resistant windbreaker and a warm layer: the start is at nearly 3'000 m, where it stays cool even in midsummer
- Repair kit: tyre levers, tubeless plugs, multitool, chain tool, pump or CO2 cartridges
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen and glasses: the glare near the glacier is strong
- Something to drink, snacks, and cash for lunch at the hut and the lift pass
- Charged mobile phone
You keep your kit with you all day: the van waits at the bottom, at the end of the descent.
Before you book
Good to know
Required level
This tour is rated 3/4: the descent is long and varied, with rocky high-altitude ground, alpine pastures and forest sections, and only 600 m of climbing over the day. You need an advanced level, to be at ease on technical terrain and able to handle a descent that lasts.
Prefer more flowing terrain? Have a look at our level 2/4 shuttle days.
Location and times
Meeting in the morning in Martigny, transfer by Exo'bus up to Crans-Montana, then the lifts. Back to the starting point in the late afternoon. The exact place and time are confirmed with the practical details after registration.
Lunch and lifts
Lunch is taken at the mountain hut, at your own expense: the rösti there is a treat. If you'd rather bring your own packed lunch, no problem, you eat it with the group at the hut. The lift pass, around 50 francs, is also at the participants' expense.
Climate
The day starts at nearly 3'000 m, beside the glacier: it stays cool even in midsummer, and the weather can change fast. A windbreaker and a warm layer are essential, as are sunscreen and glasses, the glare being strong at altitude.
Safety
Small group, professional Swiss Cycling guide who knows the area by heart, checked gear, a briefing before every descent, mandatory protection. The guide runs the group smoothly, with regrouping points in the right places.
Ready to ride?
Convinced? Small group, limited places: hit the registration button and book your spot.
No date suits you, or you'd rather ride just with your group? We also run this tour privately: send us your request.
A doubt, a question? Write to us, we answer quickly.
Your guide on this ride
Christian
Swiss Cycling certified MTB guide and instructor · founder of Exoride
Founder and manager of Exoride, Chris has been riding the trails of the Valais Alps since 1989, and has worked as a professional guide since 2010. This dual experience, passionate rider and certified guide, gives him a read on the terrain that few can claim: the best lines, the right timing for the lifts, and the technical sections anticipated before you even reach them.
Beyond the technical skills, it's his deep knowledge of Valais that makes the difference: every ride is adjusted to the group's level and wishes, for a tailor-made experience rather than a fixed route. With Chris, you're not just following an itinerary: you're benefiting from over 35 years of experience on this terrain to discover the region's hidden treasures, with full confidence.
They rode with Exoride
Reviews
« Haut Valais outing, perfect weather, what a pleasure.Thanks to Chris and his organization, everything was top-notch! 🚵♂️😋🏞🤩 »
« The Best of the Best! Insane singletracks, 6400m of vertical drop, in a superb atmosphere among riders! Just like in Finale 🇮🇹, but in the Valais Region 🇨🇭 🇨🇭 ☀️Can't wait for the next outing with Chris and Exoride! »
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How many riders per group?
A small group, generally between five and ten riders: enough for the atmosphere, few enough to ride together safely and at the group's pace.
How do I know if I have the level for this tour?
Every tour shows its technical and fitness rating out of 4, and the « Required level » paragraph describes the terrain concretely. If the ratings match what you ride regularly, you're in the right place; if in doubt, write to us before signing up, we'll point you to the right tour in two minutes.
Can I come with an e-bike?
Yes, e-bikes are welcome on our tours. What matters most: a full-suspension bike, 130 to 180 mm of travel, well serviced, with a battery charged for the day.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, MTB or e-bike rental and protection are offered as options in the registration form. Give us your size, we take care of the rest.
Who is our guide?
Tours in the Valais are led by a local professional MTB guide, Swiss Cycling certified, who rides in the Swiss Alps all year round and knows the trails like the back of his hand. You're in good hands!
What's the typical participant profile?
Riders aged 20 to 65, men and women, with very varied profiles. What matters: having the technical and fitness level the tour requires, and the desire to share a great day of mountain biking.
What kind of riding should I expect?
We like to vary the trails we ride as much as possible: routes are 99 % trails, with scenery that changes as the day goes on. The pace is that of the group and of the tour's rating, with breaks to enjoy the view.
How do the transfers work?
Depending on the tour, transfers are by private shuttle (the Exo'bus) from the meeting point shown on the date, or by lifts. Practical details (meeting place and time, any lift pass) are sent after registration.
Do I ride all day with all my gear?
Yes: unlike our shuttle days, a tour is ridden point to point, so you keep your riding gear with you all day (backpack with back protector, repair kit, windbreaker, packed lunch and something to drink). Hence the point of travelling light and taking only what you need.
What should I plan for lunch?
A packed lunch: depending on the programme, there isn't always somewhere to buy food along the way. Bottles can be refilled regularly, and a few snacks for the day never hurt.
What happens in bad weather?
The Valais generally offers ideal conditions. If the weather is uncertain, the programme adapts; if the day looks really bad, the tour is postponed, decision taken the day before, at no cost to you.
No date suits me: can I organise this tour privately?
Yes, at any time of the season. If no date suits you, if you want to ride just with friends, family or your club, we run this tour privately, on the date that suits you. Request your private tour, we'll get back to you quickly with a proposal.
What insurance should I plan?
Every participant must be covered for accidents, including on a mountain bike, and hold all the cover needed for mountain biking in the mountains: accidents, personal liability, as well as search, rescue and evacuation costs, helicopter included. For participants coming from abroad, the cover must be valid in Switzerland.
Note: some insurers apply special clauses or even exclusions for bike-park and lift-served riding. Check this point with your insurer before signing up.
Guided gravity
Ready to ride?
Registration for this departure has ended.
Same spirit, same practice
Other rides
Tour
Tour
ShuttlesWith friends, family or your club
This ride as a private event, on your date
The same program just for your group, any time of the season. Tell us your level, your dates and your group size: we get back to you quickly with a proposal.
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65 CHF · 4 Sep 2025
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The levels, made clear
First tracks
Wide paths, rolling doubletrack, the odd loose rock. MTB without traps, to build pleasure and confidence.
You'll relate if
- comfortable on gravel and forest roads
- the word singletrack intrigues you more than it speaks to you
- you are discovering braking on loose ground
Singletrack bliss
Narrow but flowing trails: moderate roots and rocks, wide switchbacks, a few spots where you pick your line.
You'll relate if
- you ride singletrack regularly and enjoy it
- tight switchbacks still make you dab a foot sometimes
- you brake hard without locking up in the rocks
Technical ground
Rock gardens, steps, tight switchbacks, off-camber: the terrain demands clean lines and active riding.
You'll relate if
- tight switchbacks without dabbing, almost
- 30-40 cm steps do not stop you
- you read the trail several metres ahead
Committed
High mountain, exposed sections, big steps: places where mistakes cost, precise riding is mandatory.
You'll relate if
- you ride what many carry
- exposure does not cloud your judgement
- you stay in control on the steep even when tired
Easy
Short outing, minimal climbing: shuttles or lifts do the work, frequent breaks.
You'll relate if
- 2-3 h out
- under 300 m of climbing
- no training required
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Active
Half to full mellow day: we pedal, but the pace leaves time for the view.
You'll relate if
- 3-5 h out
- 300-700 m of climbing
- occasional exercise is enough
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Sporty
A proper MTB day: hours in the saddle, real climbing, punchy sections. You need juice, not a palmares.
You'll relate if
- full day, 5-7 h including breaks
- 800-1'200 m of climbing
- regular sport, endurance follows
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Enduring
Big days or back-to-backs: climbing stacks up and the pace stays high.
You'll relate if
- 1'500 m+ of climbing, or several days in a row
- regular training
- fast recovery is part of the game
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Between two grades? Halves (2.5) exist: aim higher if you are fit, lower if you are coming back.
Not sure? Write to usWe will advise you honestly, even if it means suggesting mellower.See the full page
