→ 19 km

↑ 410 m

♦ EASY

Start/Finish: VILLARS-SUR-OLLON

Country: SWITZERLAND

Route: Loop

CLIMBS: LES Chaux (1762M)

A SCENIC INTRODUCTION TO ALPINE GRAVEL

Want to get a taste of alpine gravel riding? With less than 20 kilometers and just 400 meters of climbing, this route in our home region is for you. You do not need to be a gravel expert to enjoy it, but you should be able to control your bike on unpaved tracks, adjust your speed on descents and have a good level of fitness.

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The trick is to take the train from Villars to Bretaye, gaining 600 meters of elevation without the effort. From there, the route stays high below a ridge at first, alternating short climbs and descents on a 4x4 track.

500 meters into the ride. A good start

You then descend towards the Col de la Croix road, follow it briefly, and turn right towards Taveyanne. Make sure to stop and spend some time in this beautiful, timeless hamlet at the foot of the Culan, which rises to 2,789 metres.

Coming out of Taveyanne

Then comes one final effort: an easy gravel section leads to Les Chaux, where you can enjoy wide views across the surrounding peaks and down towards the Rhône Valley. A descent on a small paved road brings you back to Barboleuse before the final push to Villars.

Heading towards Barboleuse

THE ROUTE

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TIPS

You don't own a gravel bike? In Villars, you can rent either a standard or electric Scott Addict Gravel bike from Sport’s House.
Get a guide - For local advice and help improving your riding technique, book our very own Lillie aka Cycling Heidi.
Food & drink - There are several good places to stop along the way: the Refuge de Taveyanne, Chez Gipsy at Les Chaux, and Boulangerie Charlet in Barboleuse. Check opening times outside of peak summer season.
Best time to ride – Mid-May to early November, depending on the weather and the snow cover up high.
Want to know more about gravel biking in and around Villars? It's all here on the Alpes vaudoises website.