recommended route
Stage 2
Valais Cycling Tour: Crans-Montana - Leukerbad (stage 2)
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SalgeschPhoto: Pascal Gertschen, Valais/Wallis Promotion
From the peaks of Crans-Montana to the mountainous cirque of Leukerbad, the second stage of the Valais Cycling Tour takes you downhill to Sierre, the city of sunshine, and across the vineyards of Salgesch before finishing in the thermal resort of Leukerbad.
moderate
Distance 46 km
2:30 h
1,198 m
1,284 m
1,804 m
540 m
When leaving Crans-Montana, take the time to admire the numerous peaks above 4,000 metres during your 400 m descent. After plunging towards the Rhone Valley, you will reach the town of Sierre before beginning the final ascent through the winemaking villages of Salqenen and Varen. A short descent to the village of Leuk (Loèche) will take you to the main road that accesses the Dalatal and, in regular stages, you will reach Leukerbad (Loèche-les-Bains), a village famous for its thermal pools!
Author’s recommendation
Take a moment to stop at Plumachit and admire the beautiful landscape!
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Hameau de Colombire, 1,804 m
Lowest point
Sierre, 540 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
10.1 km
Forested/wild trail
0.7 km
Road
35.2 km
Rest stops
Restaurant Mi-CôteSafety 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
Crans-Montana, place d'Ycoor (1,502 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'603'205E 1'128'994N
DD
46.312339, 7.480253
DMS
46°18'44.4"N 7°28'48.9"E
UTM
32T 382986 5129873
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Destination
Leukerbad
Turn-by-turn directions
From the centre of Crans-Montana, head east and first climb to Plumachit via Les Barzettes, before descending towards Sierre through the villages of Aminona, Mollens, Venthône and Veyras. From Sierre, continue in the direction of Salquenen and take the Varenstrasse as you exit the village. After passing through numerous vineyards, you’ll arrive in Varen. After the village, a short descent leads you to Leuk, which you bypass and join the main road to Rumeling and Inden. At the entrance to the village of Leukerbad (Leukerbad), go straight on at the roundabout to reach the village centre.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
You can reach the starting point in Crans-Montana by funicular, PostBus or bus from Sierre. You can find the funicular station by following the red markings on the ground from Sierre station.Getting there
Leave the A9 motorway at the Sierre-Ouest exit, then follow the cantonal route via Chermignon until the “Centre Sportif la Moubra” in Crans-Montana.Parking
This tour takes place over several stages and the starting and finishing points are in different locations. We therefore advise you to travel to the starting point by public transport. To do so, we recommend using the SBB car park in Sierre (Plaine Bellevue) or Leuk. Parking is also available in Crans-Montana. Please follow local parking instructions.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'603'205E 1'128'994N
DD
46.312339, 7.480253
DMS
46°18'44.4"N 7°28'48.9"E
UTM
32T 382986 5129873
w3w
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in Crans-Montana has brochures and information material about road cycling in the region.
Brochures:
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25,000: 1287 Sierre / 1268 Lötschental
Equipment
We recommend: bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
46 km
Duration
2:30 h
Ascent
1,198 m
Descent
1,284 m
Highest point
1,804 m
Lowest point
540 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 5 Waypoints
- 5 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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Rating
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