Discover the exceptional alpine environment of Valais with your gravel bike, from the vineyards to the mountain pastures, including the forests.
This course is made for sportsmen who want to challenge themselves on almost 2370mD+ and 115km.
It is on the cobbled streets of Sion, capital of the Valais, that the participants start. A last look at the castles of Valère and Tourbillon before setting off along the banks of the Rhône accompanied by the lapping of the water. On leaving the town, the cyclists take the small roads between fruit trees and vineyards on the left bank of the Rhône, passing through the communes of Grône, Chalais and Chippis, and its famous Bicycle Museum. It is between Réchy and the Arche des Crétillons in the municipality of Chalais, that the first timed sprint is launched (2km - 100mD+), closely followed by the first refreshment point in the agrotouristic farm of the Arche des Crétillons.
After skirting Lake Géronde in Sierre, we enter the Finges Nature Park. A beautiful gravel road along the Rhone leads to the wine village of Salquenen. At the second refreshment stop, in the heart of 200 hectares of vineyards, you can discover the gastronomic treasures of the region.
Then it's time to head for Varen and Inden, where the gorge road takes you to a stop in the beautiful spa town of Leukerbad.
As soon as you have had your fill, there is no time to lose, the second timed sprint (9km - 530mD+) awaits you in the charming village of Albinen with its breathtaking view over the Rhone plain. You will then arrive in the beautiful alpine resort of Leukerbad, a source of happiness, after a raclette it will be time to attack the third timed sector (5km - 200mD+) in the vicinity of the Larschi mountain pasture. As soon as you have reached Varen, it is already time to retrace your steps via beautiful vineyard roads bathed in sunlight. For those who want to, there is the possibility to stop a second time at the refreshment station in Salquenen.
The riders then take the road back to the Valais Romand in the direction of Noble-Contrée, with the fourth timed sector (9.6km - 330mD+) on the winding vineyard roads of the village of Veyras and Miège, before the last refreshment stop at the Castle of Venthône, built at the end of the 12th century and classified as a historical monument in 1910.
Finally, after passing through the villages of Loc and Corin, the participants return to the plain to be guided by the Rhône to the heart of the city of Sion on the historic Place de la Planta, where a friendly and festive atmosphere gathers the participants around an open-air Pasta Party.
