Col de Champex – Legendary Mountain Passes
Cycling
· Valais
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/ Lac de ChampexPhoto: Pays du Saint Bernard, Valais/Wallis Promotion -
/ Lac de ChampexPhoto: Pays du Saint Bernard, Valais/Wallis Promotion
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/ Lac de ChampexPhoto: Pays du Saint Bernard, Valais/Wallis Promotion
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/ Cyclist in Champex-Lac, lake of Champex-LacPhoto: David Carlier, Valais/Wallis Promotion
The Col de Champex connects Bovernier to Champex-Lac, which is at the junction of the Val Ferret and the Val d’Entremont. Champex lake at the summit is both captivating and relaxing.
moderate
10.7 km
1:15 h
870 m
0 m
In just a few kilometres, this route offers the chance to enjoy a variety of natural settings, including prairies, forests and alpine panoramas. It makes for a challenging climb, though, so you'll need to be in good physical shape to tackle it. Starting from Bovernier, the route passes through the Durnand gorges during its first few kilometres before climbing gradually towards Champex and offering a superb panoramic view dominated by the Catogne and Mont Dolent. At the summit, the village of Champex-Lac will invite you to stop for a well-deserved break.
Author’s recommendation
Visit the alpine botanical garden in Champex-Lac and learn more about local flora and medicinal plants.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Col de Champex, 1497 m
Lowest point
Les Valettes, Bovernier, 626 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
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 an helmet every time you ride a bike.Emergency numbers: 144 Ambulance / 117 Police / 1414 Helicopter Rescue (Rega).Tips, hints and links
More information :
Start
Les Valettes (626 m)
Coordinates:
DD
46.077285, 7.075734
DMS
46°04'38.2"N 7°04'32.6"E
UTM
32T 351208 5104434
w3w
///petrified.cashew.political
Destination
Col de Champex
Turn-by-turn directions
The Valais cycling signpost marking the start of the route is at the intersection of the Route des Valettes main road and the Route de Champex, at the heart of the municipality of Bovernier. Follow the Valais cycle signs for 10.7 kilometres along a quiet road featuring numerous bends. Once you arrive in the village of Champex d’en Bas, continue straight ahead until you reach the car park for the Champex-Lac ski lifts and the Col de Champex.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Travel to Bovernier via the SBB Lausanne-Brig line and the Transport Martigny Région line.Getting there
Take the E27 via the Martigny/Grand St. Bernard exit. At the roundabout, continue straight ahead in the direction of the Col du Grand St. Bernard.Parking
Parking available at Bovernier train station.Coordinates
DD
46.077285, 7.075734
DMS
46°04'38.2"N 7°04'32.6"E
UTM
32T 351208 5104434
w3w
///petrified.cashew.political
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in Martigny has brochures and information material about road cycling in the region
Brochures : Road cycling map
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1325 Sembrancher
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
moderate
Distance
10.7 km
Duration
1:15h
Ascent
870 m
Descent
0 m
Statistics
: h
km
m
m
m
m
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