35.3
PDI
13.7 mi
DISTANCE
5,269 ft
GAINED
7.3 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland.
INTRO
Thyon 2000 East climbs 13.7 miles and 5,269 feet at a 7.3% average grade, one of three road-bike routes up to the Thyon 2000 ski resort in Switzerland's Valais canton, finishing at 6,908 feet. This route starts at essentially the same point in Sion as PJAMM's main Thyon 2000 climb, and the two share their opening miles - including passing through Vex - before splitting onto separate roads for the final approach to the resort.
Thyon 2000 is a purpose-built ski resort in the Pennine Alps, administratively part of the municipality of Vex and one of the base areas for the Quatre Vallées (4 Valleys) ski domain. Because it serves a working resort rather than sitting at a dead-end mountain pass, the road stays open and maintained year-round rather than closing seasonally like a true col. This eastern variant takes a different, quieter set of switchbacks for its final miles than the more commonly ridden direct route, so even riders who've already done the main way up will find a genuinely different second half here.
Because this route branches off onto its own roads above Vex, its upper section hasn't been documented as thoroughly as the main Thyon 2000 climb - some of the alternate approaches into this resort area are known to include occasional rougher or unpaved stretches, so it's worth confirming current surface conditions locally if you're set on riding it entirely on skinny road tires.
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 climb averages 7.3% over 13.7 miles, gaining 5,269 feet to a summit at 6,908 feet. It's a long, steady grind rather than a series of hard ramps - the steepest full mile still averages 11.4%, the steepest quarter-mile 12.8%, and the steepest 100 yards 14.8%, with the overall average dropping off gradually as the miles add up.
Roadway: This route shares its lower miles with PJAMM's main Thyon 2000 climb, running through Sion and Vex on a well-maintained, paved cantonal road. Above Vex, it branches onto a separate, quieter set of switchbacks for the remainder of the climb. Some of the alternate roads into the Thyon 2000 area are known to include occasional rougher pavement or short unpaved stretches, so confirm current surface conditions locally before counting on a fully paved ride on this specific side.
Traffic: Light to moderate through Sion and Vex, thinning out considerably once the route splits off above Vex onto the quieter local roads that carry it the rest of the way to the resort.
Parking: There's no dedicated cycling lot at the start. Park in Sion, near the base of the climb - the same starting area used for PJAMM's main Thyon 2000 climb.
A compact setup (34-tooth chainring with a 30-32 tooth low cog) is a sensible baseline for a climb this long with a sustained 7.3% average. Given the possibility of rougher pavement or short unpaved stretches on the upper section, tires with a bit more width and tread than a pure race setup add a useful margin of safety. Services thin out above Vex, so carry enough food and water from Sion to cover the full distance.
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.
This is the alternate, quieter way up to Thyon 2000 for riders who've already done PJAMM's main Sion route and want a different second half, or who'd rather avoid the more heavily-trafficked direct road. Since both routes start from the same point in Sion, it's also possible to combine them into a there-and-back-different-ways loop for an especially big day.
Given the high finish, it's worth checking conditions at the top with our Weather tool before you set out - it's common for temperatures and wind at 6,900 feet to be noticeably different from what you'll feel leaving Sion in the valley below.
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