Romeo Volken is a passionate biker and qualified Swiss Cycling Guide. The 45-year-old is also a former member of the Swiss national cycling team and has represented Switzerland at the World and European Championships. In 2009, Romeo founded the bike company Rodeo Bike Co., with a shop and workshop in Bellwald and in Brig-Glis. To this day, he still plays a key role in the development of MTB tourism in Bellwald.

It’s still early in the morning when Romeo and Kilian hop onto their bikes. Their destination is the bike park in Bellwald, which extends from the village up to more than 2,500 metres above sea level. The modern chair lift takes them to the upper station in just a few minutes. From up here, the view of the Valais mountain landscape is even more impressive. It stretches from the Matterhorn to the hinterland of Goms, where the Rhône has its source. 

Romeo and Kilian traverse the bends of the downhill trail with skill and elegance. They know every twist and turn of the route, as they played a major part in creating it. Passionate bikers themselves, they run the Rodeo Bike Co. bike shop in Bellwald, as well as a second branch in Brig. 

The first downhill trail was opened in 2005 and a lot has happened in Bellwald since then. More trails and bike tours, a pump track and a skills park have all been created. The cable cars and mountain railways have also been converted to include modern bike carriers, making transportation a piece of cake. The idyllic mountain village has become a real paradise for fans of mountain biking – and the vision is not yet complete. According to Romeo, the development is important for both the village and its residents. Many guests who previously only visited Bellwald in winter now also come in summer and enjoy the wide range of activities on offer, so everyone benefits.

With six different trails to suit any level, the park has something for everyone. Bends, smaller and larger jumps and adventurous obstacles ensure plenty of fun.

In addition to the downhill trails in the park, other varied bike tours – some of which really help you work up a sweat – are just waiting to be explored. The routes around Bellwald and the Aletsch Arena are among the most beautiful in Switzerland. The views of the mountains and the famous Aletsch Glacier are breathtaking and the trails are varied. 

It therefore comes as no surprise that the region has been chosen to host the UCI World Championships in the Enduro discipline in 2025. Romeo and Kilian are particularly pleased about this. Romeo is convinced that: “With the 2025 World Championships, Valais has a huge opportunity to present itself on a stage that the whole world will be watching.” It is the first time that all the mountain biking disciplines will be hosted in a single canton. This shows the public that mountain biking enthusiasts can enjoy a wide range of activities throughout Valais.

Romeo and Kilian want to share their passion for mountain biking with as many people as possible. That’s why the pair launched the “Rodeo Local Tours” back in 2021. These are held around twice a month, from spring to autumn. Each Local Tour takes place at a different location with a local guide. This means you can always discover new trails and routes, of which there are plenty in Valais. 

The idea behind it is simple: Those who want to take part meet at the church of the respective municipality at the time indicated. There’s no need to pre-register and participation is free of charge. The tour is aimed at all fans of mountain biking, irrespective of riding ability or age. These are group rides and not races. They are first and foremost about community spirit and having fun. The participants support one another. 

Rodeo Local Tours started small and now operates in over a dozen locations in Valais, sometimes with more than 30 participants. The communities have got to know each other better as a result and now also go on trips together outside of the Local Tours.
 
The success speaks for itself, to Romeo and Kilian's delight. They hope that many more people will become enthusiastic about cycling. The feeling of getting on the saddle after a strenuous day and forgetting everything else while out in the great outdoors is something they hope everyone can experience. 

Valais will play host to the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 2025. This event will take place in eight destinations in Valais, between 30 August and 14 September 2025. This will be the first time that World Championship medals will be awarded in seven different disciplines. Various events are already being held at the destinations in 2024. 

More information