Located in the Swiss region of Valais, the Val de Bagnes is the land of raclette. But it’s also one of the best alpine gravel destinations in the Alps, still little-known outside a small circle of insiders. Here in the heart of Verbier’s mountain playground, the dirt roads are of excellent quality and the scenery is spectacular, with some of the highest peaks in the Alps as a backdrop, such as the Grand Combin (4,314 m).

I live close by and let me tell you, there’s no shortage of options. Let’s start with this route I designed from Le Châble, just below Verbier, linking some of the region’s most beautiful gravel sections. It's a must for gravel riders visiting during the Verbier Bike Festival or at any time during summer.

From the start, there’s no easing in—it climbs, and it’s steep. Pavement and gravel alternate. But unless you overheat like I did here with my buddy Mike during a bikepacking trip (story here), you should be able to stay in the saddle.

Around kilometer 10, you see exactly why you came: a smooth gravel track, views over the surrounding peaks… life doesn’t get much better. Higher up, the slope stiffens and the surface gets rougher. You have to push hard on the pedals, but soon you pass the magic 2,000 m mark, where trees grow sparse and then disappear entirely. The scenery turns rocky—welcome to the high mountains.

After more than 15 km of climbing, you reach La Chaux. If you’re feeling brave (or reckless), you can keep going up toward the Col des Gentianes. I did it with the cheerful Lausanne Gravel crew and… I don’t recommend it. Even if riding close to 3,000 m is pretty cool.

Instead, you can cruise almost flat for 8 km with a plunging view over Verbier—the very place where Alberto Contador won a Tour de France stage in 2009. And where do you end up? At the Col de la Croix de Cœur, the finish line of the famous Tour des Stations sportive. This corner of the Swiss Alps is truly a paradise for cycling.