Cycling routes

Val d'Hérens - Scenic & side valleys

Radfahrer, Erdpyramiden von Euseigne

Sierre

Set off from Bramois to discover Val d’Hérens with an initial climb to the village of St-Martin, followed by a short descent to Evolène and Les Haudères.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

27.54 km

Duration

2:50 h

Description

The ascent towards Val d’Hérens is a must when visiting Valais. It not only lets you discover a wild valley – famous for its breed of cattle – but also takes you through a number of typical villages where the rich local dialect is spoken. Starting from Bramois and passing through the village of St-Martin, this climb through the valley lets you appreciate the beauty of the varied landscapes changing with every passing kilometre. After the climb, a steeper road takes you down to Evolène, through which the famous Grand Raid mountain bike race passes. In the heart of Val d’Hérens, the last part of the route takes you to Les Haudères, a picturesque village dominated by Arolla and the Ferpècle Dam.

Turn-by-turn directions

The first 11 kilometres between Bramois and St-Martin are covered on a relatively steep, wide road. You’ll get the chance to catch your breath over a 4-kilometre, level section as you enjoy a view of the famous Euseigne pyramids rising up on the other side of the valley. After a steep downhill section through the fields, you’ll rejoin the road towards Evolène. The landscape opens out again into a wider valley and the gradient becomes much less challenging. You are in the very heart of Val d’Hérens, one of the most beautiful valleys in the region! On arrival in Les Haudères, more adventurous cyclists can continue in the direction of Arolla to the right or Ferpècle to the left.

Start

Bramois (513m)

Destination

Les Haudères (1451m)

Author's recommendation

This is not the most direct route to Les Haudères, but it avoids the busy road between Sion and Vex.

Technical information

Altitude

1451m

513m

Ascent

+1296m

Descent

-358m

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
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • Summit route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Flora
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Take the SBB train towards Sion. From there, the regional bus will take you to Bramois village.

Approach

From the A9 motorway, take exit 27 (Sion-Est) and follow the signs to Bramois.

Parking

Free parking spaces are available beside the football stadium and tennis courts in Bramois.

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 a helmet every time you ride a bike. Emergency numbers: 144 Ambulance / 117 Police / 1414 Helicopter Rescue (Rega).

Additional information

More information about the destination:

Literature

Maps

 SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1306 Sion / 1327 Evolène

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion