32.5
PDI
9.8 mi
DISTANCE
4,333 ft
GAINED
8.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Croix de Coeur climbs 9.81 miles and 4,333 feet from Le Chable, at the floor of the Val de Bagnes, up through the resort town of Verbier to a summit at 7,018 feet above the Rhone Valley. At an 8.39% average grade, it's one of the steeper high-value climbs in Valais.
The lower half, through 13 hairpins in the first four miles, is entirely paved and carries real traffic - Verbier is one of Switzerland's best-known ski resorts, and this road is its main access route. Past Verbier, the crowds thin out fast: the road narrows, the grade doesn't let up, and around 1,900 meters the pavement ends. The final kilometers to the Croix de Coeur summit run on wide, well-packed gravel - manageable on a standard road bike, but a genuinely different kind of climbing than the lower slopes.
This road has real racing pedigree. The Tour de Suisse finished atop Verbier in 2008, and the Tour de France followed in 2009, when Alberto Contador won the mountain stage to Verbier on his way to that year's overall title. The Croix de Coeur summit, another few kilometers and several hundred meters above the ski resort itself, is a tougher, quieter extension of that same climb.
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. Croix de Coeur gains 4,333 feet over 9.81 miles at an average grade of 8.39% - one of the steeper sustained grades among Valais's high-value climbs. The first four miles into and through Verbier hold a steady 8% across 13 hairpin turns, without much relief.
Above Verbier the road keeps the same character: the steepest quarter-mile hits 10.7%, and the steepest full mile still averages over 10%, meaning the final gravel kilometers to the 7,018' summit are no easier than what came before - if anything, tired legs make them feel harder.
Roadway: The road is paved from Le Chable through Verbier and for roughly the first 6 km above town, then turns to a wide, well-packed gravel road for the final few kilometers to the Croix de Coeur summit. Riders who've done it describe it as manageable on a standard road bike with normal tires, though it's a different feel than the lower pavement - confirm current conditions before relying on the unpaved section after heavy rain.
Traffic: Traffic is moderate to heavy on the lower half, since this is the main road into Verbier, one of Switzerland's busiest ski and summer resort towns - the road is wide, though, so it isn't as stressful as the volume might suggest. Past Verbier, traffic drops sharply; most visitor traffic stays in town, leaving the upper switchbacks and the gravel finish quiet.
Parking: Le Chable has two main options at the base of the climb: Curala parking near the train station and gondola base, and the smaller Verger de la Cure lot, free for up to 48 hours. Riders driving up first will find pay parking near Verbier's central lifts. At the Croix de Coeur summit there's a small gravel car park and a cafe/restaurant, a good spot to refuel before heading back down.
Le Chable and Verbier both have full services - grocery stores, bike shops, cafes, and restaurants - so there's no need to carry much beyond normal riding food for the lower miles. Above Verbier, options disappear quickly until the cafe/restaurant at the Croix de Coeur summit itself (seasonal hours, so don't count on it being open).
Because the final kilometers are gravel, tire choice matters more here than on most Valais climbs - riders report that standard 25-28mm road tires handle it fine in dry conditions, but a bit of extra tread or width adds confidence on the descent. The summit sits above 2,100m, so pack a layer for the return descent even on a warm day in the valley.
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.
Verbier is one of the best-known resort towns in the Swiss Alps - renowned for off-piste skiing in winter and increasingly popular with cyclists and hikers in summer, with a full range of hotels, restaurants, and bike shops if you want to base a trip here rather than just passing through. Le Chable, at the valley floor, is quieter and less expensive, with its own train station on the line from Martigny and a gondola straight up to Verbier if you'd rather ride up and take the lift down (or vice versa).
Because Croix de Coeur shares its lower road with Verbier's other high routes - Col des Mines and Col de Chassoure both continue past this same area - riders spending a few days in the valley can string together more than one summit; see our Routes in the Area tool for other climbs nearby.
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thall1
Enjoyability: 92/100
golmstead
A nice ride, but we rode up in the pouring rain so we didn't really get a chance to see the scenery. And for some reason there were a lot of sports cars in a hurry to get somewhere. Not dangerous, just pesky. The route itself was challenging, but do-able. The pitch seems like it was always in the neighborhood of 10%. I might try again if I'm out that way and there are sunny skies.
