Mauvoisin - Trophy of the Dams

Le Châble
-5/8°
ClosedThis route consists of a climb to Mauvoisin dam from Le Châble and offers a view of Mont Rogneux, the Rosablanche and the Grand Combin.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
18.27 kmDuration
1:45 hDescription
The starting point is situated at the bridge that straddles the Dranse river and the railway line near Le Châble. There are no major slopes on the Route de Mauvoisin until Le Fregnoley, at which point it becomes steeper and more uneven, with a few level stretches and gentle downhill sections punctuating the climb towards Fionnay reservoir lake and the journey through Bonatchiesse hamlet. You’ll pass through a number of short galleries along the route, as well as crossing several wooden bridges over waterways. The valley grows wilder and narrower as the kilometres roll on, allowing you to discover an unspoilt natural landscape and stunning panoramic views. Cyclists can admire various peaks during the climb, including Mont Rogneux, the Rosablanche and the Grand Combin (4,314 m.a.s.l). Once you reach the dam, it's worth taking a look at Mauvoisin lake (1,961 m.a.s.l). The official finishing point of the route is situated near the restaurant at 1,841 metres in altitude.
Turn-by-turn directions
The starting post is situated on the right bank of the bridge across the Dranse river. Valais cycle signs then mark out the rest of your climb. You will pass through the villages of Versegères, Champsec, Lourtier, Fionnay and Bonatchiesse. The route also takes you through a number of galleries and over wooden bridges across waterways. On leaving the village of Lourtier, take the summer road along the right bank of the Dranse river to avoid passing through two tunnels, one of which is very long. After climbing for some 18.3km, the route officially finishes near the restaurant at 1,841m in altitude.
Start
Le Châble, bridge (821m)
Destination
Restaurant de Mauvoisin (1841m)
Author's recommendation
Admire the complexity of the dam’s structural elements as you pass by various installations over the course of the climb.
Technical information
Altitude
1841m
822m
Ascent
+1020m
Descent
-0m
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion