Cycling routes

Col de Portes de Culet – Legendary Mountain Passes

Monthey

8/19°

The Col des Portes de Culet rises to 1,787 metres and offers an exceptional view over the Dents du Midi. Leaving from Monthey, the first few kilometres take you up the road to the Pas de Morgins before turning right onto a small road criss-crossing the pastures.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

23.25 km

Duration

3:00 h

Description

Leaving from Monthey, the start of the climb leads to the right side of the "Illiez" valley. From the village of Troistorrents, several switchbacks help you gain some altitude to take a look at the magnificent church in this small village in the Val d’Illiez. The road then forks to the right and becomes more narrow. The road takes you to the summit of the Portes de Culet in the middle of alpine meadows typical of the region. The relaxing ambience of the area is simply magical!

Turn-by-turn directions

The Col des Portes de Culet is not well-known in the region of the Bas-Valais but is worth the trip! The start of the climb is easy enough until Troistorrents where you will come across the little cog train of the valley. As you climb in the direction of Morgins, you will discover the Dents du Midi in all their glory right in front of you. This seven summit chain, dominated by the Haute Cime, is the iconic mountain of the region, and its steep face is the most impressive. Once you have left the main road, the route takes you through unspoiled nature until the summit of the pass. A journey of discovery that is absolutely worth doing!

Start

Monthey (426m)

Destination

Col de Portes de Culet (1787m)

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Technical information

Altitude

1787m

426m

Ascent

+1400m

Descent

-39m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

To reach Monthey, take the regional train running on the Simplon line between Brig and St-Gingolph.

Approach

Exit A9 motorway at Bex (exit 19) and follow signs to Monthey centre ville. Coming from Lausanne, take the exit 18 (St-Triphon) and don't continue through the tunnel to Collombey Valley but take the road direction to Monthey centre-ville.