Swiss Epic 2020 – Stage 5

Stage 5 of the 2020 Swiss Epic provided, in its 61 kilometres distance and 2 550 metres of elevation gained, a trail-filled day in singletrack paradise Davos Klosters. The tour starts with an 8 kilometre climb and gains 800 metres in elevation. The second half of the climb, in particular, is fiercely steep. But there’s good news too, you reach the highest point of the tour, the King and Queen of the Mountain, at 2 321 metres above sea level within the first 8 kilometres of the day. What follows is a real gem: The Panorama Trail. Its unique, 360 degree, views ensure it lives up to its name. The Panorama Trail is a unique, high alpine, trail which cuts through a series of exposed rocky passages. A fast forest road then takes you towards the Schwarzseealp, where an impressive singletrack leads you through a new growth forest towards Gotschnaboden. Continuing ever downwards a challenging, rooty, trail completes the descent through a forest to the Wolfgang Pass. A true cross-country section follows. It rises and falls through the forests above Davos, challenging you to maintain momentum and not expend unnecessary energy. Thereafter a 4 kilometre-long, with 300 metres of elevation gain, climb leads past the Alp Erb and Aussererb. Another high-altitude trail, complete with a spectacular bridge and exposed mountainside, leads you to the next forest singletrack. Once you reach Frauenkirch the climbing starts again, this time headed towards the Glaris mill. At the mill, you cross to the opposite side of the valley and turn off below the Rinerhornbahn. More fun trails, which climb to- and then descend from- the Junkerboden, leads you towards Sertig. In Clavadel (after 45 kilometres) you’ll reach final significant climb of the day. It’s a 5 kilometre-long climb, which gains 400 metres in elevation, and leads you over the Clavadeleralp to Ischalp. From the summit, a fast-flowing downhill trail provides the fitting thrills upon which to end your day of mountain biking adventures on a sunny terace in Davos. 

This is a tour that should be on every mountain biker’s to-do list. It provides incredible riding & beautiful views and a great insight into what ambitious amateurs and world-class elite riders experience during the five-day Swiss Epic mountain bike stage race, in Graubünden.