Cycling routes

Col de l'Aprilly – Mythical Alpine passes

Sierre

1/11°

On this ascent from Siders to Mayen de Colombire in the heart of central Valais, you first discover the sunny slopes of the right bank of the Rhone. Then you head towards Aminona and climb the Col de Crans-Montana, where an breathtaking panorama awaits you.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

16.68 km

Duration

2:30 h

Description

From Siders – the sunniest town in Switzerland – the road climbs through the typical vineyards of the Rhone valley. You pass through the small villages of Veyras and Venthône before gradually entering a more mountainous environment. The very regular gradient leaves little time to catch your breath, so the few shady sections on the sunny mountainside offer a welcome refreshment in summer. After Aminona, the route branches off to the right and the road narrows. The last straight section leading to the so-called Mayen de Colombire on the Col de Crans-Montana offers a fantastic view of the Weisshorn.

Turn-by-turn directions

The first kilometers of this 17-kilometer ascent between Siders and the Col de Crans-Montana lead right through the vineyards and typical small villages of the region. After Venthône, you ride through small deciduous forests, which gradually give way to firs and larches as the ascent progresses. The panorama you can admire from Aminona is perhaps one of the most spectacular in Valais. Five four-thousanders rise on the other side of the Rhone valley and form the majestic crown of Valais: the Weisshorn, the Zinalrothorn, the Obergabelhorn, the Matterhorn, and the Dent Blanche. This unique view accompanies you up to the pass height, where the Mayen de Colombire restaurant awaits you for a well-deserved break!

Start

Sierre (525m)

Destination

Col de Crans-Montana (1804m)

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Author's recommendation

Visit the museum in the hamlet of Colombire, close to the endpoint of the route in Aminona.

Technical information

Altitude

1804m

523m

Ascent

+1281m

Descent

-2m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

You can reach Sierre regularly with SBB from all Swiss cities as well as with regional trains on the Simplon line between Brig and St. Gingolph.

Approach

Via motorway A9 from Lausanne or Brig, exit Sierre East (coming from Brig) or Sierre West (coming from Lausanne). Via Rue de la Plaine you reach the Park + Ride at the station.