August 27, 2023
Over the last few years, I’ve been exploring Valais on my gravel bike. This region of Switzerland is already known for its great road passes and mountain bike trails. As it turns out, it also lends itself very well to gravel biking: the Valais is criss-crossed by a dense network of 4×4 roads at the foot of peaks that can reach over 4,000 meters.
The slopes are steep, the connecting trails can be technical and sometimes you have to walk, but the reward is worth the effort: sumptuous landscapes, flowy descents, timeless villages and cows. Lots and lots of cows.
We were able to confirm this last week with my friend Mike Cotty, the man behind The Col Collective. For 3 days, we hopped from valley to valley, trying to stay as high as possible while keeping the hiking to a minimum. A lot happened, and there are many stories to share.
A full-length video, in the pure tradition of The Col Collective, will reveal them soon. In the meantime, here’s a teaser. Enjoy and stay tuned!
Alain
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