29.1
PDI
11.8 mi
DISTANCE
4,462 ft
GAINED
7.2 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland
INTRO
Portes de Culet is a 19.0 km (11.8 mi) climb in the Chablais region of Valais, Switzerland, gaining 1,360 m (4,462 ft) at a 7.2% average grade from Collombey-Muraz to a pass finishing at 1,787 m (5,863 ft) beneath the Dents du Midi. The route climbs out of the Rhone valley through Troistorrents and up the Val d'Illiez, a valley overlooked by the seven distinctive peaks of the Dents du Midi, before finishing on a narrower mountain road above the treeline.
The grade is fairly even for an Alpine climb - 71% of the route sits between 5% and 10% - but the steepest stretches come late: the final kilometer averages 10.4%, and the steepest 500 meters touches 10.6%. The road narrows noticeably in its upper reaches as it works up through alpine meadows toward the pass.
This is one of the milder, less-traveled climbs in a valley that sits in the middle of the wider Portes du Soleil ski and cycling region. The road passes near Troistorrents' cog railway up to the resort village of Champery, and riders looking for a bigger day can continue on into the interconnected roads of the Chablais foothills.
Traffic is minimal throughout, and Restaurant Chalet-Neuf, right on the route near kilometer 18, is a reliable stop close to the finish for food or a drink.
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. 7.2% average grade. 71% of the climb is at grade 5-10% and 9% at 10-15%. The steepest 500 meters is 10.6% and steepest kilometer 10.4%.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button above.
Roadway: One-lane paved road in good shape, narrowing further as it climbs into the alpine meadows near the pass.
Traffic: Minimal for nearly the entire climb - this is one of the quieter roads in a valley otherwise busy with Portes du Soleil traffic during ski season and summer weekends.
Parking: Roadside parking is available a block from the start of the climb on Route 21 in Collombey-Muraz - Map; Street View.
Provisions: Restaurant Chalet-Neuf, on Route de Culet near kilometer 18 close to the finish, is the most reliable food and drink stop directly on the climb - there's little else along the way below that, so plan accordingly on a hot day.
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 climb is one of several routes into the Chablais foothills from the Rhone valley - PJAMM's Portes de Soleil climb, starting a few kilometers away in Vionnaz, covers a separate route up into the same ski region. This one instead follows the Val d'Illiez, the valley overlooked by the Dents du Midi, passing through Troistorrents - home to the cog railway that carries visitors up to the resort village of Champery - before the road narrows for the final climb to the pass.
This is one of the milder climbs in the greatest climbing area in the world - see PJAMM's Valais, Switzerland climb area page for more, and use the Routes in the Area tool to see other bike climbs nearby.
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thall1
Enjoyability: 83/100
