Valais: Col du Lein and Col des Planches


  57km

  1920m

  medium

Start/Finish:  Martigny

Country:  Switzerland

CLIMBS:  Col du Lein (1623m)
                      Col des Planches (1411m)

Route:  Loop (clockwise)


A 57km loop with two passes starting in Martigny

This loop includes two lesser known passes in the Martigny and Verbier region of Valais, Switzerland: Col des Planches and Col du Lein. It is a great early season ride, when the high alpine passes are not yet open. Highlight: a short and sweet section of gravel.

The initial 10km along the valley floor prepare you for the first few hairpins of the ascent to the Col du Lein (1,623m) above Saxon. The road narrows as soon as you leave the village and traffic becomes almost nonexistent. It wanders among the pastures and orchards while offering views extending from Martigny all the way to Sion. After 14km of pedaling up a gradient averaging 8.5%, you reach the Graal: the last few hundred meters of the pass are on smooth gravel - the type that puts a smile on every rider’s face.

You soon find yourself back on asphalt to start the descent towards Vollèges then Sembrancher (alt. 730m). Immediately, the road starts to climb again, this time to the Col des Planches (1,411m). Caution: it can get very warm on this exposed south-facing flank, which offers few respites.

At the top, however, the reward is there: the buvette de l’alpage du Col des Planches, an unassuming farm that serves great mountain food. Try the planchette, an assortment of local cheese, sausage, dried meat and bread.

You may even buy some cheese to take away - it’s all downhill from there.  After a few hairpins in a magnificent forest of larches, a dizzying descent drops you 1,000 meters further down and back to your point of departure. Feel free to take a break on the way to admire the glorious view of the Rhone river and Martigny down below.

This loop is part of the “Top Road Cycling Routes” created by Alain for the Switzerland Tourism website. You can also ride it as part of a 4 day self-guided tour that includes other great climbs such as the Col du Sanetsch, the Emosson dam and the Petite Forclaz. Click here for more information.

THE ROUTE

ABOUT THE CLIMBS

Stats and design by myCols



Average grade    8.5 %
Length                    13.6 km
Altitude start      499 m
Altitude top         1658 m
Ascent                    1159 m
Maximum             10 %

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Average grade    8.3 %
Length                    8.1 km
Altitude start      737 m
Altitude top         1411 m
Ascent                    674 m
Maximum             11 %

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TIPS

As an alternative, you can start the tour in the famous ski resort of Verbier and join the loop in Vollèges.

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Leaving Saxon and the Rhone valley behind

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The quiet road to Col du Lein

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The gravel section. Take a left here to climb the Col des Planches from Sembrancher

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The beautiful Alpes valaisannes

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Stop at the buvette de l'alpage du Col des Planches and enjoy the planchette


Interested in a guided trip?

Let us connect you to our network of guide services and tour operators. For more information about booking, contact: 


Info@alpsinsight.com


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