Ride with your gravel bike along the magnificent roads along the Rhône in the heart of the beauty of Valais vineyards.
As its name suggests, this route takes cyclists along the Rhône, while traversing the magnificent vineyards on its left and right banks. The river, which is emblematic of the region, rises at the north-eastern end of the canton and flows into the Mediterranean 800km further on. Although the course is mostly along the river, it is not flat as it offers a 950mD+ difference in altitude over 75km.
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 point, in the heart of 200 hectares of vineyards, you can discover the gastronomic treasures of the region.
After a short break, departure towards Varen. It's already time to retrace your steps via beautiful roads of vines gilded by the sun. For those who wish, it is the possibility of stopping at the Salquenen supply point.
The runners then resume the Valais Romand road towards the town of Noble-Contrée, with the second timed sector (9.6km – 330mD+) on the winding vineyard roads of the village of Veyras and Miège, before the last refueling at the Château de Venthône and built at the end of the 12th century and listed as a historic monument in 1910.
Finally, after having crossed the villages of Loc and Corin, the participants return to the plain to let themselves 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 brings together participants around an outdoor Pasta Party.
