Cycling routes

Col de la Croix de Cœur – Legendary Mountain Passes

Col de la Croix de Coeur

Aproz

35 kilometres separate Aproz from the summit of the Col de la Croix de Cœur. Head through Nendaz and La Tzoumaz to reach the summit of the pass and enjoy a view of Verbier resort below.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

35.29 km

Duration

3:00 h

Description

Starting in Aproz, the route first heads towards the village of Fey. Your efforts begin in earnest once you leave the village, with a short but relatively steep climb to the main road passing through the village of Basse-Nendaz, where you turn onto the little-used Saclentse road. Up until this point, the route is identical to the one leading to Cleuson dam. Take a right to arrive in Haute-Nendaz and cross through the heart of the resort before heading down towards Isérables on a winding road above the valley. A sudden left turn takes you across a wooden bridge and onto an unpaved section of road leading to La Tzoumaz. Once you leave the village, the road winds through the forest and then through pastures until it reaches the summit of the pass at 2,173 metres in altitude. The final part of the route follows a hard gravel road, and offers a view of Verbier resort and the Val de Bagnes from its summit.

Turn-by-turn directions

From Aproz, follow the road that leads to the village of Fey and continue until you reach Basse-Nendaz, where the route forks to the right. Follow this path for 1.7 kilometres before turning left and continuing on a narrow road that follows a little-used stretch of route via Saclentse. Up until this point, the route is the same as the one leading to Cleuson dam. Take a right to reach Haute-Nendaz before making a swooping descent in the direction of Isérables. A sudden left turn takes you across a wooden bridge and onto a steep, unpaved section of road leading to La Tzoumaz. Once you leave the village, the road winds through the forest and on through pastures until you reach the summit of the pass at 2,173 metres in altitude. The final part of the route follows a hard gravel road.

Start

Aproz (486m)

Destination

Col de la Croix de Cœur (2173m)

Author's recommendation

From Saclentse, check out the route for the final of the Tour des Stations race, which has hosted champion cyclists including Cadel Evans, Primoz Roglic and Alberto Contador! Be sure to take two inner tubes – cycling so many kilometres on an unpaved road increases the risk of punctures.

Technical information

Altitude

2174m

482m

Ascent

+1978m

Descent

-291m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Scenic
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Flora
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Regional trains on the Simplon-Brig line. Stop at St-Pierre-de-Clages or Sion.

Approach

Take the A9 motorway, then exit 25 to Conthey or exit 26 to Sion-Ouest. Follow the cantonal road to the village of Aproz.

Parking

Parking available at the Domaine des Iles (municipality of Sion).

Equipment

We recommend: bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.

Safety information

Strictly respect the Swiss traffic rules. Please note that you are running the tour at your own risk and all liability is refused. Please be considerate to plants and animals. For your own safety, wear an helmet every time you ride a bike. Emergency numbers: 144 Ambulance / 117 Police / 1414 Helicopter Rescue (Rega).

Additional information

More information :

Literature

The tourist offices in Sion, Nendaz, La Tzoumaz and Verbier provide brochures on road cycling in the region.

Brochures : Road cycling map

Maps

SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000 : 1305 Dent de Morcles / 1306 Sion / 1325 Sembrancher / 1326 Rosablanche

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

The Swisspeak Resort in Vercorin in a winter setting

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