35.7
PDI
13.6 mi
DISTANCE
5,282 ft
GAINED
7.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland
INTRO
Thyon 2000 is one of the longest and toughest climbs in Switzerland's Valais canton - a region with one of the greatest concentrations of extremely difficult climbs anywhere in the world. From Sion, at just under 1,700 feet in the Rhone Valley, the road climbs 13.6 miles and gains 5,282 feet at a 7.4% average grade to the Thyon 2000 ski resort at nearly 7,000 feet in the Pennine Alps.
The route follows Route d'Herens and Route d'Heremence (route 206) through roughly 29 hairpin turns, climbing through the villages of Les Agettes and Vex before working up through forest and open alpine terrain to the resort. Traffic is busier through Vex but thins out considerably above it. The climb saves its hardest test for the finish - the steepest kilometer comes over two hairpins beginning around mile 10.5, well into the second half.
Because Thyon 2000 is a working ski resort, the access road stays open year-round rather than closing seasonally like a true mountain pass, though winter conditions call for real caution. At the top, riders are rewarded with Le Tipi bar and the Mont Rouge lodge near the finish, plus sweeping views back over the Rhone Valley.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. This is a long climb that saves its sting for the finish. The 13.6-mile ascent averages 7.4%, but the difficulty builds steadily rather than staying flat - the steepest quarter-mile touches 13.4%, the steepest half-mile holds 11.7%, and the steepest full mile averages 11.3%. The single hardest stretch is a steep kilometer taken over two hairpins that begins around mile 10.5, deep into the second half of the climb - exactly where fatigue makes it hurt the most.
Roadway: The road (Route d'Herens/Route d'Heremence, numbered 206) is a well-maintained, fully paved cantonal road throughout, with good asphalt reported by riders even in the upper switchbacks. Roughly 29 hairpin turns carry the route up through Les Agettes and Vex before opening into higher alpine terrain near the resort.
Traffic: Traffic is heavier through the town of Vex, in the lower-middle part of the climb, then thins out noticeably above it. Because the road serves an active ski resort, expect some vehicle traffic year-round rather than the near-total quiet of a dead-end mountain road, but riders generally describe it as light to moderate overall.
Parking: There's no dedicated cycling lot at the start. Riders typically park in Sion, near the base of Route d'Herens where the climb begins.
This is a long climb with a genuinely hard finish, so pace conservatively through the lower miles and save something for the steep hairpins near the top. Compact gearing (34x30 or lower) is a sensible choice given the steepest sections approach 13%. Sion has full services before you start; once on the climb, plan on being self-sufficient until you reach the cafes and lodges at Thyon 2000 itself.
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.
Sion sits at the center of what's often called one of the toughest concentrations of cycling climbs in the world - the Rhone Valley around Sion holds several of Switzerland's hardest ascents within a short drive of each other, so it's worth basing here for more than one climb if you're in the area. At the top, Le Tipi bar and the Mont Rouge lodge near the finish are worth a stop before heading back down. Because the road serves a working ski resort, it stays open year-round, but winter and shoulder-season riders should still expect snow and ice at altitude. With several other demanding climbs nearby, our Routes in the Area tool is a good way to plan a multi-climb trip around Sion.
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