Two absolutely stunning climbs – more examples that there are so many rides better than the more famous Verbier in this region.
I started with Champex-Lac: hard work. 12 Steep kms with hairpin after hairpin with some of the best views looking down at the just climbed bends. The reward at the top? A beautiful Alpine lake. Tip: At the lake consider taking the slightly bumpy trail around the lake to the right. This gives the best views.
I started in Les Valettes. This is where the steep stuff starts. You could start lower in Martigny, but this just adds five slightly uphill kms on a busy road. No fun.
From Champex, it’s a wide open descent, with views of the road leading to the Grand St.Bernard Pass, and then I turned right into Val ferret. This is not the most difficult climb, but beware, there are plenty of short steep ramps. I was blessed with a tail-wind (nice!).
This is a beautiful valley with very high alps on both sides. The road leads due south and one has the impression of getting ever deeper into the mountains.
After Ferret, it’s possible to continue for a couple more kilometres before the paved road ends (at just under 1800 metres alt.). But the gravel road looks VERY inviting for a mountain bike.
The descent was fun:
