Secrets of Swiss Romand - Lakes, Rivers & Alps
-
Location
Alpes Vaudoises, Switzerland
-
Duration
4 days | 3 nights
-
Length
210 km total
-
Climb
600 - 1,850m daily
13 Jun 2024 - 16 Jun 2024 / 8 Aug 2024 - 11 Aug 2024 / 12 Sep 2024 - 15 Sep 2024
Welcome to our home! From the vineyards of the Chablais to the base of the glacier in Les Diablerets, discover the Alpes Vaudoises of Swiss Romand, with their characteristic mountain chalets, high mountain pastures and snowy summits.
We are lucky to be based in this cycling paradise, which is easily accessible by road, train and plane. Here you will find everything from challenging mountain passes to easy riding in the Rhone Valley, all on roads with little traffic and in excellent condition. The region is also a centre for world cycling, home to the headquarters of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and regular host of stages of the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse.
This tour will bring you on a journey to discover our favorite roads of the Alpes Vaudoises in 4 days, through the region’s most famous passes: Col des Mosses, Col du Pillon and Col de la Croix, which link the mountain resorts of Les Diablerets, Château d'Oex, Villars and Gryon.
To get a taste of the Tour des Alpes Vaudoises, watch this video by The Col Collective.
There are 3 versions of this tour:
Classic
Fixed dates (13 - 16 Jun, 08 - 11 August, 12 -15 September) 2024
Private
Any date between May 15 and October 15, a group of 4 people minimum (For fewer people get in touch).
Self-guided
Any date between May 15 and October 15, with hotels, meals, luggage transport, maps and hotline with support vehicle on call.
Contact us for details.
Total price: From 1,790 CHF
- Three classic mountains passes of the Alpes Vaudoises: Col de la Croix, Col du Pillon, Col des Mosses
- Quiet roads, ideal for bike riding
- In Aigle: the World Cycling Centre, headquarters of the UCI
- Breathtaking alpine scenery
- Hotel stays in Les Diablerets and Villars, charming mountain villages
- Meals in local restaurants chosen for their regional products
- Bike rental (carbon frame and Shimano Ultegra or equivalent) available
-
Day 1 - Thursday
BIENVENUE AUX DIABLERETS, SUISSE ROMAND
27km / 750m
Swiss Historic Hotel du Pillon***, Les DiableretsUpon your arrival in Les Diablerets, we’ll brief you on the tour and help you out with bike fitting before going for a short warm up ride. Starting from your hotel, you will discover the region on small roads that will take you through high alpine pastures and past iconic chalets of the Alpes Vaudoises. Two climbs on today’s programme: at Les Voëttes and La Forclaz, two charming mountain villages.
-
Day 2 - Friday
Col du Pillon and Col des Mosses
93km / 1,850m
Hotel Villars Mountain Lodge, Villars-sur-OllonToday is a big mountain bike day. We’ll tackle two classic mountain passes - the Col du Pillon (1,546m) and the Col des Mosses (1,445m). From magnificent vistas at our summits and passing through ski resorts, to long descents in fresh alpine air.
Lunch is in a quintessential Swiss restaurant near Chateau d’Oex. Chateau d’Oex is the home of Breitling Orbiter 3, the first hot air balloon to circumnavigate Earth.
We’ll descend to Aigle, past the postcard scene of vineyards surrounding Chateau d’Aigle. You can transfer to Villars or challenge yourself by taking a third climb through the cool Panex forests, past Grand Tours Project’s home in Les Ecovets and into Villars.
-
Day 3 - Saturday
A loop to the valley and back
72km / 970m
Hotel Villars Mountain Lodge, Villars-sur-OllonAfter a 10km descent, we are in the Rhone River valley. Depending on the wind direction, we will cycle beside the mighty Rhone towards Martigny or to Villeneuve, stopping at the headquarters of the International Cycling Federation (UCI) in Aigle to visit and spend an hour riding in the magnificent velodrome. We have various options for lunch before heading back to Villars via the old salt town of Bex and the inspiring mountain scenery of Plans-sur-Bex and old Gryon.
-
Day 4 - Sunday
COL DE LA CROIX – LES DIABLERETS
19km / 580m
After breakfast, we’ll take your bags and you can savour your last climb to our local mountain pass - the Col de la Croix (1,778m), the crown jewel of the Alpes Vaudoises. Once at the col we can descend the long straights to Les Diablerets, where we started our tour.
From here we will help back up the bikes, find you a place to change and then take you to your afternoon departure points.
We hope that this taster tour of our backyard inspires you to return and discover more of Secret Swiss Romand with Grand Tours Project.
Bon voyage et à bientôt.