From the famous mountain resort of Verbier to the Val d'Illiez, this eighth stage takes you on a voyage of discovery, from the high mountain lake of Champex to the peaceful roads through the Rhone Valley along the banks of the Rhone River.
Leaving Verbier, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Combins before descending towards Le Châble and then Sembrancher. Next, you’ll begin your ascent, which will take you through the village of Orsières, with the path becoming steeper until you reach the idyllic lake of Champex. The route is then downhill through the Champex valley in the direction of Martigny. It’s impossible to visit the region without climbing the Petite Forclaz, one of the locations of the 2020 UCI Road World Championships. Afterwards, you’ll head back into the valley along the Route de la Forclaz and then cycle in the direction of Lake Geneva. You’ll then reach the Illiez Valley after a gentle climb towards Les Giettes and arrive in Champéry along a path that offers thrilling views of the impressive mountain face formed by the Dents du Midi.
Itinerary
Best period to go there
Prestations
Author\s note
Enjoy a stopover by the bucolic Champex lake, after your first real ascent of the itinerary. Swimming is allowed.
Directions
Leave the Verbier resort and the Bagnes Valley, travelling in the direction of Great St. Bernard and Italy until you reach the village of Orsières. Next, discover the small village of Champex and its enchanting lake. Following a long descent, you’ll reach the Rhône Valley, where you can attempt the famous Petite Forclaz climb, before arriving in the former Roman city of Martigny. Then pedal in the direction of Saint-Maurice and Lake Geneva – a gentle section giving your calf muscles a bit of a break until Massongex, where you’ll face a short uphill ride towards Les Giettes. Once you’ve passed the village, it’s a downhill ride towards the Illiez Valley, where you’ll finish your journey with a climb towards Champéry. Here, breathtaking views of the Dents du Midi and La Dent Blanche await you.
Getting there
From the autoroute E27 Martigny Grand Saint Bernard, follow signs to Grand-Saint-Bernard / Verbier until Sembrancher, then follow signs to Verbier / Le Châble.
This tour is one stage of the Valais Cycling tour where the finish is not at the same place as the starting point. Therefore, we recommend arriving by public transport. Otherwise there is a parking at Le Châble, follow the local park routeing to access them.
Train TMR Martigny>Le Châble then gondola from Le Châble > Verbier.