シャラの峠・トップ16

Beautiful, smooth, never extremely steep and only a few cars even on weekends.

The rewards are the magnificent view of the Val de Bagnes and the cheese crust at the refreshment bar at the Col du Lein

An intense and very impressive climb. Over 11km you have to overcome around 850 meters in altitude. The roads are narrow and winding. There is little traffic. The splendor of colors in the larch forests is particularly impressive in autumn. Not an easy but highly recommended alternative to the main road in the valley.

The Col road goes from Martigny at 471 m with an average gradient of about 9%, over the Col des Planches then descends to Sembrancher at 717 m with an average gradient of 7%. The view over the Rhone Valley is superb.

Very nice crossing to Sembrancher! With Champes Lac it makes a great road bike circuit!

Find out in good time whether the pass is open!

A wonderful climb, partly through shady forest, partly over meadow slopes, steep at 12-15%. Excellent asphalt, very little traffic and just after the top of the pass, the Lac de Champex is a true natural idyll to enjoy. Also ideal for swapping a section of the busy main road in the valley between Les Valettes and Orsieres for this wonderfully quiet and beautiful little road on the way to the Great St. Bernard.

Of all the paved, continuous Alpine passes, the Great St. Bernard Pass actually offers the greatest elevation gain from its start in Martigny. For this reason alone, it should be included on any cycling pass list. However, the route up to the beginning of the summit tunnel is only half the fun by bike – too wide for motorized traffic, the route drags on, and the gentle gradient seems never-ending. The seemingly endless gallery from Bourg Saint Pierre is no fun uphill – but once the summit tunnel begins to absorb the most traffic, a magnificent pass road begins that fully compensates for the previous stretch.