Col de la Croix from Bex Bike Climb - 25.2 km at 5.4%

Switzerland Col de la Croix (Bex)

Col de la Croix (Bex) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

24.1

PDI

15.6 mi

DISTANCE

4,482 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

5.4 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland

INTRO

Col de la Croix (1778 m / 5,833 ft) is the high pass in the Alpes Vaudoises linking the Rhône valley with Les Diablerets, and this is its longest paved approach. From Bex the route runs 25.2 km (15.6 mi) and gains 1366 m (4,482 ft) at a 5.4% average grade, climbing through the mountain villages of Gryon and Villars-sur-Ollon before a final push above the trees to the col.

That average undersells the effort. The climb comes in two hard blocks separated by long recovery stretches: 9.5 km (5.9 mi) at 7.4% from the edge of Bex up to Gryon, then a near-flat run through La Barboleuse to Villars, a short kick above the resort, another flat interlude, and a closing 3.9 km (2.4 mi) at 8.8% to the pass. Much of the lower road runs alongside the Bex-Villars-Bretaye rack railway, whose rails are set right into the road surface in places - one of the more unusual features of any Alpine approach.

The pass has real racing pedigree: it has featured in the Tour de France three times (1997, 2012 and, most recently, Stage 9 in 2022), is a regular in the Tour de Romandie, and the Tour de Suisse crossed it on 21 June 2026. The road over the col is seasonal - it reopened for summer 2026 on 8 May and typically closes toward the end of October.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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Col de la Croix from Bex climbs 25.2 km (15.6 mi) and gains 1366 m (4,482 ft) at an average of 5.4%, starting at 423 m (1,388 ft) in Bex and topping out at the col at 1778 m (5,833 ft). The profile breaks into clear sections:

Km 0-4: 4 km (2.5 mi) at an easy 1.8% through Bex.
Km 4-13.5: the main climb to Gryon - 9.5 km (5.9 mi) at 7.4%.
Km 13.5-17.2: 3.7 km (2.3 mi) at 2.3% through La Barboleuse to Villars-sur-Ollon.
Km 17.2-19.3: 2.1 km (1.3 mi) at 5.4% above Villars.
Km 19.3-21.2: a 1.9 km (1.2 mi) breather at 1.7%.
Km 21.2-25.2: the finale, 3.9 km (2.4 mi) at 8.8% to the col.

The steepest kilometer averages 10.2% and the steepest 2 km average 9.6%. Because the flat sections drag the average down, the two climbing blocks feel much closer to 7-9% than the headline 5.4%.

Roadway: Paved the entire way. The lower road between Bex and Villars shares its corridor with the Bex-Villars-Bretaye (BVB) rack railway, and in places the rails are set right into the asphalt - cross them squarely, especially on the descent and in the wet. Above Villars, the Route du Col de la Croix is a seasonal road: it reopened for summer 2026 on 8 May and typically closes toward the end of October, when the stretch over the col is handed over to winter sports.

Traffic: Moderate between Bex, Gryon and Villars, since this is the main road serving both villages, and busiest through the center of Villars. Traffic thins noticeably on the final road above Villars, though summer weekends bring motorcycles and tourist traffic over the pass toward Les Diablerets. Riders generally find this approach quieter than the main road up to Villars from Aigle.

Parking: Bex is on the main Rhône valley rail line, so arriving by train is easy. The P+Rail lot at the station (Avenue de la Gare 1, around 80 spaces, open 24 hours, paid by the day) is a short roll from the start. Starting higher in Gryon skips the flat opening kilometers, but also most of the hardest block of the climb.

Gear: A compact crankset with a 30- or 32-tooth cog covers it - grades rarely top 10% - but with 1366 m (4,482 ft) of gain spread over 25.2 km (15.6 mi), pacing matters more than gearing. The col sits well above the Rhône valley floor, so pack a wind layer for the long descent.

Provisions: Bex, Gryon and Villars-sur-Ollon all have shops, bakeries and cafes right on the route, so resupply is easy for the first 19 km (11.8 mi). Above Villars there is little until the col, where a small buvette operates in season but keeps limited hours - carry what you need for the last stretch.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

Bex's standout attraction off the bike is the Mines de Sel de Bex, Switzerland's oldest active salt mine. Guided tours of about two hours take a miners' train deep into the mountain, run daily with several departures (booking is recommended), and at a constant 18°C inside they make a cool rest-day outing on a hot valley afternoon.

The Bex-Villars-Bretaye railway that shares the lower road is worth riding in its own right, climbing from the valley floor through Gryon and Villars to the Col de Bretaye at around 1800 m. Gryon itself is a smaller, quieter base than Villars, set on a sunny terrace looking across the Rhône valley toward the Dents du Midi. For the other paved approaches, see our Col de la Croix (Ollon) page.

Check current conditions at the col with our Weather tool before you go.