A valve operating device for the variable stroke control of a charge exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, in which the charge exchange valve, with the interposition of a transfer element having a wheel movable about an axis of rotation, is in active connection with a control path comprising an idle stroke cam and a lifting stroke cam follower in an end of a lever controlled by a cam of a camshaft to perform the stroke of the charge exchange valve, wherein the lever urged by a spring through a curved path and associated under spring bias with the cam is supported at the other end for variable stroke adjustment along a circular path through a center of rotation, variable in position and lockable, controlled by an adjusting device, wherein a circular track disposed on a part of the housing of the internal combustion engine serves as a slide with a radius around the axis of rotation of the wheel of the transfer element of the support of the lever at a controlled variable position, wherein the control path of the lever is configured in the area of transition between the idle stroke cam follower and the lifting stroke cam with a ramp designed for a valve clearance in the valve operating device.