recommended route
Val d'Hérens - Scenic & side valleys
Cycling
· Valais
-
Pyramids of EuseignePhoto: David Carlier, Valais/Wallis Promotion
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.
difficult
Distance 27.5 km
2:50 h
1,296 m
358 m
1,451 m
513 m
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.
Author’s recommendation
This is not the most direct route to Les Haudères, but it avoids the busy road between Sion and Vex.
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Les Haudères, 1,451 m
Lowest point
Bramois, 513 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
0.5 km
Path
0 km
Road
27 km
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).Tips and hints
More information about the destination:
Start
Bramois (513 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'597'288E 1'119'815N
DD
46.229776, 7.403495
DMS
46°13'47.2"N 7°24'12.6"E
UTM
32T 376892 5120816
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Destination
Les Haudères
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.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the SBB train towards Sion. From there, the regional bus will take you to Bramois village.By road
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.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'597'288E 1'119'815N
DD
46.229776, 7.403495
DMS
46°13'47.2"N 7°24'12.6"E
UTM
32T 376892 5120816
w3w
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Brochures:
Road Cycling Map Valais
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1306 Sion / 1327 Evolène
Equipment
We recommend: bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.Difficulty
difficult
Distance
27.5 km
Duration
2:50 h
Ascent
1,296 m
Descent
358 m
Highest point
1,451 m
Lowest point
513 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 3 Waypoints
- 3 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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