Fully - L'Erie Bike Climb - Vineyard Climb in Valais, Switzerland

Switzerland Fully - L'Erie

Fully - L'Erie Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

37.3

PDI

9.5 mi

DISTANCE

4,701 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

9.2 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

Fully - L'Erie is a steep, quiet climb above the Rhone Valley wine town of Fully in Switzerland's Martigny district. From the "Y" intersection of Route du Soleil and Rue du Tilleul in Fully, the road climbs 9.5 miles and gains 4,701 feet at an average grade of 9.2%, placing it among the top 150 hardest climbs in the world.

The climb opens brutally: the first quarter mile out of Fully ramps up over 20%, among the steepest sustained pitches of any PJAMM climb, before settling into a long series of switchbacks through Fully's terraced vineyards - some of the highest-elevation vineyards in the Valais, reaching to about 800 meters.

Above the vines, the road keeps climbing through forest onto a quiet mountain ridge with wide views back over the Rhone plain toward the Dents du Midi. The road ends at L'Erie, around 1,870 meters, where a small parking area and hiking trailhead mark the finish - a scenic, little-known alternative to the busier climbs of the Swiss Rhone Valley.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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Fully - L'Erie's 9.2% average hides an extremely front-loaded profile. The steepest quarter mile point-to-point spikes to 20.6%, among the steepest sustained ramps of any climb in the PJAMM database, and the steepest full kilometer, near the base, averages 20.2%.

Once through the vineyards the grade eases considerably - the steepest full mile averages 12.8%, and the last 5 miles to the finish at L'Erie average a comparatively manageable 10.2%.

Roadway: The climb is paved from Fully all the way to the road's end at L'Erie. Surface quality is good through the vineyard switchbacks and holds up reasonably well through the forested upper section. No reports of closures or resurfacing heading into 2026.

Traffic: Light. The lower vineyard switchbacks see occasional local and tourist traffic, especially during wine harvest season (September-October), but traffic thins out quickly above the vines and the upper road is essentially quiet forest riding.

Parking: Park in Fully near the start at the intersection of Route du Soleil and Rue du Tilleul. Martigny, about 10 minutes away by car and served by rail, has more extensive parking, bike shops, and services for riders combining this climb with others in the region.

Fully has small grocery stores and cafes for a pre-ride coffee and refill, but there's nothing along the climb itself and nothing at L'Erie beyond the trailhead - carry all the food and water you'll need.

Given the brutally steep opening pitches (over 20% right out of town), a compact crank paired with a wide-range cassette is essential. Temperatures at nearly 1,900 meters can be noticeably cooler and windier than in the valley, so pack a light jacket for the descent.

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.

Fully sits in the heart of the Valais wine region, alongside the Chemin du Vignoble vineyard trail, and makes a good stopover for wine tasting before or after the ride.

Martigny, a short drive or train ride away, offers a wider range of hotels, restaurants, and bike shops, and sits at the base of several other Valais climbs, including the Col de la Forclaz and Grand-Saint-Bernard approaches. See other climbs nearby with our Routes in the Area tool.