The Col de la Croix gravel route
Route Information
Description
Take the famous Col de la Croix through the mountains of Villars, Diablerets and Gryon. You'll discover a wide variety of landscapes and tourist attractions along the way on a gravel bike.
Leaving Villars, you first reach Les Ecovets, then Plambuit. This is where the ascent to Bretaye begins, first on a pretty tarmac mountain pasture road, then a gravel section offering a magnificent view of Villars and the Dents du Midi. You then head towards Lac des Chavonnes before rounding the mountain to reach the Col de la Croix road. Admire the view of the imposing Massif des Diablerets on your left! After crossing the last kilometre of the pass by road, you pass the Col de la Croix farm before a more technical section that takes you towards the typical hamlet of Taveyanne. You then climb back up to Les Chaux before the final section that takes you to Solalex on a combination of mountain pasture roads, 4x4 trails and easy singles. The return to Villars via Barboleuse is by road. OUR ADVICE - To avoid the first long climb, take the train to Bretaye. - There are plenty of refreshment stands and restaurants on this loop. In Taveyanne, indulge in the famous cream cornets. - Shortly after the Col de la Croix, a short single awaits you at km 28. If you don't enjoy this kind of section, stay on the road and take the next left to rejoin the route a little further on.
Practical Information
OUR ADVICE - To avoid the first long climb, take the train to Bretaye. - There are plenty of refreshment stands and restaurants on this loop. In Taveyanne, indulge in the famous cream cornets. - Shortly after the Col de la Croix, a short single awaits you at km 28. If you don't enjoy this kind of section, stay on the road and take the next left to rejoin the route a little further on. SIGNPOSTING - This route is not signposted, but can be seen on the link provided.
Links
Take the famous Col de la Croix through the mountains of Villars, Diablerets and Gryon. You'll discover a wide variety of landscapes and tourist attractions along the way on a gravel bike.
Leaving Villars, you first reach Les Ecovets, then Plambuit. This is where the ascent to Bretaye begins, first on a pretty tarmac mountain pasture road, then a gravel section offering a magnificent view of Villars and the Dents du Midi. You then head towards Lac des Chavonnes before rounding the mountain to reach the Col de la Croix road. Admire the view of the imposing Massif des Diablerets on your left! After crossing the last kilometre of the pass by road, you pass the Col de la Croix farm before a more technical section that takes you towards the typical hamlet of Taveyanne. You then climb back up to Les Chaux before the final section that takes you to Solalex on a combination of mountain pasture roads, 4x4 trails and easy singles. The return to Villars via Barboleuse is by road. OUR ADVICE - To avoid the first long climb, take the train to Bretaye. - There are plenty of refreshment stands and restaurants on this loop. In Taveyanne, indulge in the famous cream cornets. - Shortly after the Col de la Croix, a short single awaits you at km 28. If you don't enjoy this kind of section, stay on the road and take the next left to rejoin the route a little further on.
Practical Information
OUR ADVICE - To avoid the first long climb, take the train to Bretaye. - There are plenty of refreshment stands and restaurants on this loop. In Taveyanne, indulge in the famous cream cornets. - Shortly after the Col de la Croix, a short single awaits you at km 28. If you don't enjoy this kind of section, stay on the road and take the next left to rejoin the route a little further on. SIGNPOSTING - This route is not signposted, but can be seen on the link provided.