Road · Switzerland
Col de la Croix (Vaud) from Bex
A mountainous 19 km road cycling route from Bex through Fenalet-sur-Bex, Les Posses-sur-Bex and Gryon, with 1,377 m of climbing over the Bex climb.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 19.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,377 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 23 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Oct
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Bex
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,377 m
- 19 km
Route description
- Bex
- Bex climb
- Fenalet-sur-Bex
- Les Posses-sur-Bex
- Gryon
Starting in Bex at about 429 m elevation, the route climbs steadily for 18.4 km with an average gradient of 7.3% and a maximum of 15.8%, reaching the summit at 1775 m. The climb begins soon after 0.7 km from the start and gains 1340 m in elevation.
The surface is 97% paved, with small sections of gravel or unpaved track making up 3%. The road types encountered include 55% minor roads, 19% main roads, 14% tracks, 7% quiet streets, and 6% paths, with 3.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes. The route includes 5.8 km classified as roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Facilities along the route include bakeries near the start and at 10.3 km, a restaurant at 15 km, supermarkets and convenience stores near the start and around 9 km. There are several water sources and toilets available early on and near the summit. The longest stretch without cafés, shops, or water is 4.1 km from 15 km to the top. Bailout stations are available at 2.1 km and 10.4 km. The named road 'Route du Col de la Croix' is ridden for 3.9 km during the climb.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Bex climb (18.4 km at 7.3 %).
- Tops out at 1,775 m, 19.1 km in.
Highlights
- Summit at 1775 m
- Average gradient 7.3% over 18.4 km
- Longest no service stretch 4.1 km
- Nearby archaeological site Château d'Ergnaud
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 3.7 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 55% minor road · 19% main road · 14% track · 7% quiet street · 6% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 5.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Route du Col de la Croix (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 92% climbing · 4% descending · 4% flat
- Steep sections
- 13.4 km over 5% · 9.4 km over 8% · 4.1 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 24 cafés and restaurants, 8 shops, 8 water points, 2 petrol stations, 5 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmSource de la Rippaz · drinking water · on the route
- 0.2 kmJérome & Marcio · bakery · on the route
- 0.2 kmStation-Service Du Cropt SA · petrol station · 150 m off route
- 0.2 kmPharmacie de la Fontaine · pharmacy · on the route
- 0.3 kmMigros · supermarket · on the route
- 0.3 kmToilets · on the route
- 5.2 kmDrinking water · 160 m off route
- 9 kmPetrol station · on the route
- 9.1 kmMarché Gryonnais · convenience store · on the route
- 9.5 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 10.3 kmCharlet · bakery · on the route
- 10.3 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 10.5 kmThe Bike Shop · bike rental · 140 m off route
- 15 kmBuvette de la Verneyre · restaurant · on the route
- 19.1 kmToilets · 50 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 2.1 km — Bévieux (station), on the route
- 10.4 km — La Barboleuse (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 0.4 km — Pierre aux Armes des Veillon (monument)
- 3.5 km — Château d'Ergnaud (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Atipic - Récré Active (Tipis) · campsite · 2.8 km from the finish
- Camping de la Murée · campsite · 3.4 km from the finish
- Mon Séjour · hotel · 3.5 km from the finish
- Hôtel Garni · hotel · 3.6 km from the finish
- Hôtel du Pillon · hotel · 3.7 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Water
- Source de la Rippaz (10 m)
- Food and coffee
- Jérome & Marcio (150 m), Chez Marceline (80 m), Hôtel de Ville (110 m)
- Shops
- Le Radis (40 m), Migros (300 m)
Know before you go
- 3.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 5.8 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit
- 4.1 km without café, shop, or water from 15 km
- Maximum gradient 15.8%
