Cycling routes

Valais Cycling Tour: Sion - Crans-Montana (stage 1)

Sion

3/14°

From beautiful hillside vineyards to forests and meadows basking in the sun. This first stage of the Valais Cycling Tour begins at Sion, the capital of Valais, and takes you through the mountain town of Anzère to the famous mountain resort of Crans-Montana.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

59.08 km

Duration

4:00 h

Description

In just a few pedal strokes, you are out of the city of Sion and into the vineyards along the Chemin du Vignoble. As you climb towards Mayens de la Zour, the landscape becomes more and more pristine. Take a moment to enjoy the view before diving into the village of Savièse. Throughout the descent and the climb to Arbaz and Anzère, let yourself be intoxicated by the smell of the mountain flowers and herbs, invaluable in the making of Ricola sweets. After this first stage, you will have accumulated 58.8km, with three ascensions totalling 2,300 metres of climbing.

Turn-by-turn directions

Follow the red bike route signs (72: Chemin du Vignoble) out of Sion towards Mont d’Orge where you pick up the Chemin du Vignoble (Vineyard Path). As you climb towards Mayens de la Zour, you will have the impression of being completely alone in the world. The brief descent into Savièse is on a beautiful road that takes you into the village of Grimisuat before the climb to Anzère (1,546m). After leaving the commune of Ayent, the last climb of the day takes you through the villages of Icogne and Lens before the final push to the famous resort of Crans-Montana. The statue of Christ the King, erected in 1935 at the top of Châtelard hill in Lens, will guide you to the top. After this first stage, you will have accumulated 58.8km, with three ascensions totalling 2,300 metres of climbing.

Start

Sion, Rue de l'Industrie, 1950 Sion (490m)

Destination

Crans-Montana, place d'Ycoor, Route du Rawyl 56, 3963 Montana (1502m)

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Author's recommendation

Are you scheduling this stage on a Friday? If yes, take the opportunity to discover the old city of Sion during its weekly market. Local produce, homemade confections and sunny café terraces await!

Technical information

Altitude

1542m

485m

Ascent

+2419m

Descent

-1372m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

CFF train and bus station at Sion.

Approach

From the A9 autoroute, take Sion exit 26 or 27 and follow signs to centre-ville.

Parking

This tour is one stage of the Valais Cycling tour where the finish is not at the same place as the starting point. Therefore, we recommend arriving by public transport. Otherwise there are parkings in Sion, use the free parking called Potences.