recommended route
Moiry - Trophy of the Dams
Cycling
· Valais
-
Photo: David Carlier, Valais/Wallis Promotion
Tackle the climb to Moiry dam via Vercorin and Pinsec while enjoying the view of the Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche.
difficult
Distance 32.7 km
3:30 h
2,042 m
325 m
2,250 m
531 m
Your climb begins in Chippis, a small village situated on the plains at the edge the Rhône river. A narrow road takes you to Brie, passing close to the Bisse de Ricard, then climbs for several kilometres above Sierre and rejoins the main road that leads to Vercorin ski resort. The route runs along cliff sides and through galleries cut into the rock, allowing you to admire the Val d’Anniviers below. From Vercorin, the trail heads towards Pinsec and descends for a few kilometres, passing through the traditional hamlets of Mayoux and Saint-Jean along the way. The Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche form the backdrop to your next climb, which benefits from a broad and flowing initial section. The route becomes more demanding once it reaches the picturesque village of Grimentz, climbing steeply for five or six kilometres and briefly levelling out before two tough final kilometres to Moiry dam. The finishing point at 2,250m in altitude is situated near the top of the dam, overlooking the lake.
Author’s recommendation
The interior of the dam can be visited on request.
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Moiry dam (2,249m), 2,250 m
Lowest point
Chippis, Edge of the Rhône (526m), 531 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Forested/wild trail
0.1 km
Road
32.6 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 an helmet every time you ride a bike. Emergency numbers: 144 Ambulance / 117 Police / 1414 Helicopter Rescue (Rega).Tips and hints
More information:Start
Chippis, Edge of the Rhône (526m) (531 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'607'863E 1'125'297N
DD
46.279046, 7.540660
DMS
46°16'44.6"N 7°32'26.4"E
UTM
32T 387569 5126087
w3w
///headache.producers.coast
Destination
Moiry dam (2,249m)
Turn-by-turn directions
From the bridge over the Rhône in Chippis, head to the centre of Chippis via the cantonal road. Follow the long bend in the road onto the Route de Chalais, where you’ll find the signpost for the start of the route. 200 metres down the road, turn left onto the road leading to Briey and follow it for 5.7km before rejoining the cantonal road in the direction of Vercorin. Once you reach the centre of Vercorin, turn left and continue towards Niouc, where a downhill section takes you through the villages of Niouc and Mayoux. Once you arrive in Mayoux, the Route de Vissoie-Grimentz begins to climb again. The slope becomes more demanding from the village of Grimentz, levelling out briefly before the final two kilometres of challenging cycling to Moiry dam. The finishing point is situated near the top of the dam, overlooking the lake. The route marked out by the Valais cycle signs allows you to make the climb to the Moiry dam without passing by the busy road from Sierre, Niouc and Vissoie.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
You can reach Sierre via the SBB Lausanne-Brig line or via regional trains on the Simplon Railway.Getting there
Take the A9 motorway from Lausanne or Sierre, then take the Sierre Ouest (from Lausanne) or Sierre Est (from Brig) exit. Access the park and ride at Sierre train station via Rue de la Plaine.Parking
Park + Ride at Sierre train station. Please follow the local car park routeing in Sierre.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'607'863E 1'125'297N
DD
46.279046, 7.540660
DMS
46°16'44.6"N 7°32'26.4"E
UTM
32T 387569 5126087
w3w
///headache.producers.coast
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Brochures: Road Cycling Map
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1287 Sierre / 1307 Vissoie
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
32.7 km
Duration
3:30 h
Ascent
2,042 m
Descent
325 m
Highest point
2,250 m
Lowest point
531 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 2 Waypoints
- 2 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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