Cycling routes
Col de la Croix de Cœur – Mythical Alpine Passes

Aproz
2/9°
35 kilometers separate Aproz from the pass of Col de la Croix de Cœur. The route passes through Nendaz and La Tzoumaz and offers a wonderful view at the pass of the holiday resort Verbier located below.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
35.29 kmDuration
3:00 hDescription
From Aproz, first drive towards the village of Fey. At the village exit, a short but quite steep climb towards the main road presents the first challenge. On the main road, you pass through Basse-Nendaz, where you turn onto the lightly trafficked road to Saclentse. Up to this point, the route follows the same path as the one leading to the Cleuson dam. Turn right at the entrance of Haute-Nendaz and pass through the village center before descending on a winding road with views of the valley towards Isérables. A sharp left turn leads you over a wooden bridge and an unpaved section to La Tzoumaz. At the village exit, the road winds through the forest and then crosses alpine pastures until the pass at 2173 meters altitude. The last section runs on a paved gravel road and offers a wonderful view of the Val de Bagnes landscape and the holiday resort Verbier below upon arrival at the pass.
Turn-by-turn directions
From Aproz, take the road towards the village of Fey and then continue to Basse-Nendaz. Here the route turns left. Follow this path for 1.7 kilometers before turning left and continuing on a small, lightly trafficked road via Saclentse. Up to this point, the route follows the same path as the one leading to the Cleuson dam. Turn right towards Haute-Nendaz and then descend towards Isérables. A sharp left turn leads you over a wooden bridge and an unpaved, steep section to La Tzoumaz. At the exit of the village, the road winds through the forest and then passes over alpine pastures up to the pass at 2173 meters altitude. The last section runs on a paved gravel road.
Start
Aproz (486m)
Destination
Col de la Croix de Cœur (2173m)
Author's recommendation
From Saclentse, follow in the footsteps of cycling champions Cadel Evans, Primoz Roglic, and Alberto Contador, who raced the final of the cycling race “Tour des Stations” on this route! For safety, carry two spare inner tubes to be prepared for any punctures on the several kilometers of gravel road.
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
Getting there
Information
Public transport
Regional trains on the Simplon–Brig line. Stops at St-Pierre-de-Clages or Sion.
Approach
Motorway A9 to exit 25 Conthey or 26 Sion-Ouest. Then follow the cantonal road to the village of Aproz.
Parking
Parking available at Domaine des Îles (municipality of Sion).
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion


