Best of Alpes Vaudoises
Best of Alpes Vaudoises
Collection by Alain Rumpf (A Swiss With A Pulse)
8
Tours
35:06 h
345 mi
37,125 ft
I live in the Alpes vaudoises and have created this collection of my favorite rides in this beautiful Swiss region located east from Lake Geneva. The Alpes vaudoises are easily accessible by plane, car and train. There are many quiet and well surfaced roads that will blow away first time visitors.It is a climbing paradise with several passes that are regular features in pro races such as the Tour de Romandie, the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de France.The Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling's world governing body, has its headquarters in Aigle, at the World Cycling Centre. It is a great coffee stop and there is a velodrome, a hall of fame and a small exhibition area with bikes from all eras.This collection is a mix of challenging loops in the mountains and easier rides down in the Rhone valley. There is also one gravel loop for off road lovers.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- 08:3271.1 mi8.3 mph7,750 ft7,675 ft
Croix, Pillon, Mosses: this is the trilogy of passes in the Vaudois Alps, which you will discover on this loop from the Center Mondial du Cyclisme in Aigle.
The Union Cycliste Internationale has its headquarters in Aigle, at the foot of the Vaudois Alps. This is where you start this loop which first takes…
- 05:1030.6 mi5.9 mph4,475 ft4,500 ft
With its hundreds of kilometers of paths, the region of the Vaudois Alps is ideal for practicing gravel. An example: this loop which connects the pastures of Villars, Les Diablerets and Gryon.
Leaving from Villars-sur-Ollon, a well-known resort in winter and summer, you reach Bretaye via Les Ecovets and…
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- 01:2615.5 mi10.8 mph100 ft100 ft
With its kilometers of cycle paths and paths, the Chablais Vaudois is the ideal place for a ride with family or friends.
The World Cycling Center not only houses the offices of the Union Cycliste Internationale and a high-level training centre. It is also a place open to the public, with a café and an…
- 28.8 mi-- mph4,200 ft4,225 ft
This outing is a route published on cycliste.ch. For more info, click here: cycliste.ch/itineraires-velo-route/les-tresors-caches-des-alpes-vaudoises
by cyclistech
- Expert06:0358.3 mi9.6 mph7,600 ft7,600 ftExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
This route starting in Villars-sur-Ollon uses mostly small roads with moderate traffic, with exceptional views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Starting from Villars, the Col de la Croix (km 8, 1774 m) has several demanding climbs and then a flat section where you can recover before tackling the last 3 kilometres…
- Expert04:3137.1 mi8.2 mph4,800 ft4,800 ftExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Villars is located mid-way up the Col de la Croix, the essential climb for cyclists in the region. After reaching the summit, there’s a long descent to Aigle before you climb back up to Villars via Bex.
With nearly 1300m of climbing, the Col de la Croix (1778 m) is one of the toughest passes in Switzerland…
- Intermediate02:1225.7 mi11.7 mph1,875 ft1,875 ftIntermediate road ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
This undulating route takes you through the hills of Le Chablais and returns along the banks of the Rhône.
There are four hills on this moderately difficult route: La Pelouse, Bévieux, Antagnes and Verschiez, while the return trip is on the flat. You can refuel in the café-restaurant at the Centre Mondial…
- Expert07:1277.5 mi10.8 mph6,300 ft6,300 ftExpert road ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Allow a day for this ride which starts by taking you to the shores of Lake Geneva and then climbs back up to Bulle.
For a change, this route from Les Diablerets starts with a descent towards Aigle (km 19). Then there’s a flat section to Montreux (km 35), before heading up again to Châtel-Saint-Denis…
UCI World Cycling Centre
Road Cycling Highlight
The World Cycling Centre is an elite level cycling training center that also hosts the headquarters of the UCI, cycling's world governing body.
The centre is open to the public. You can stop for coffee or a meal at the Vélodrome, the in-house café. You can also check out the indoor velodrome and visit the exhibition area with a Hall of Fame and a collection of vintage bicycles.
Groups can book a track cycling introduction with a coach or a guided visit of the centre.
Last but not least, kids will love the pump track located next to the center.Col des Mosses north side
Road Cycling Highlight (Segment)
A regular feature in the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse, the Col des Mosses is the easiest climb of the Alpes vaudoises, with two flat sections and otherwise gentle slopes.
Col du Pillon south side
Road Cycling Highlight (Segment)
The south side of the Col du Pillon from Les Diablerets is short (5km) and offers fantastic views on the Massif des Diablerets and spectacular waterfalls.
Col de la Croix south side
Road Cycling Highlight
From the Rhone valley, the Col de la Croix is a BIG challenge with more than 1300m of climbing. The upper part meanders through woods and pastures all the way to the top at 1775m.
Col de la Croix north side
Road Cycling Highlight (Segment)
The gradient is almost constant (around 7%) on this climb which offers beautiful views on the Massif des Diablerets. Enjoy the famous tarte (cake) de Francine at the top!
Anstieg von Bévieux nach Barboleuse
Road Cycling Highlight (Segment)
The first part of the climb in the vineyards is the steepest section (10 to 12%). The rest is much easier (6 to 8%). This is the best option to drive the Col de la Croix, as the road from Ollon to Villars is much busier.
Beautiful view on Villars and the Rhone valley
Bike Touring Highlight
Nice gravel section with a fantastic view just before you get to the Bretaye ski area
Boulangerie Tea Room Charlet
Road Cycling Highlight
Great place to stop for coffee on the way to Villars and the Col de la Croix. Fantastic choice of baked goods, sandwiches and salads
Bike path along the Rhone
Road Cycling Highlight (Segment)
Quiet road reserved for bikes along the Rhone river. You can stop at the UCI's World cycling Center for coffee and food
De Frience à Solalex
Bike Touring Highlight (Segment)
The road from Frience to Solalex is a paradise for gravel enthusiasts. The view of the Mirror of Argentina is superb and the terrain is varied, between paved road and easy singletrack. At Solalex, the refuge welcomes cyclists and hikers with local and tasty products.
Taveyanne
Bike Touring Highlight
Taveyanne is an authentic mountain hamlet with its wooden chalets and shingle roofs. Classified as a historical monument, it still lives today without electricity. The refuge, open from May to October, serves local specialties in an enchanting setting.
In the direction of Les Chaux, the dirt road is an ideal playground for gravel enthusiasts.Lac des Chavonnes
Bike Touring Highlight (Segment)
Lac des Chavonnes is nestled at the foot of a cliff near Bretaye. The road that goes around it offers magnificent views of the surrounding peaks.
The restaurant located by the lake welcomes cyclists and hikers with a varied menu.
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Highlights13
- Distance345 mi
- Duration35:06 h
- Elevation37,125 ft
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