The 17 kilometre Lac de Derborence climb sits up there with our favourite cycling climbs in Switzerland.
It’s a dramatic, gob-smackingly beautiful ride that takes you down a narrow gorge, to a pristine lake surrounded by high mountains. The road is gouged out of the rock and twists through long, roughly hewn rock tunnels past glacial waterfalls and rocky cliffsides. It’s a sight to behold.
Getting here from Verbier takes a bit of riding that’s not covered in the GPS route below. You’ve got a few choices:
1. Head around the flat (but busy) valley bottom roads to Pont-de-la-Morge and the start of the climb. After the Derborance out and back you could then ride over the Croix de Coeur from Aproz and back to Verbier (read this article for the Croix de Coeur from Aproz).
2. Turn your wheels skyward from Verbier, head over the top of the Croix de Coeur and descend to Pont-de-la-Morge. Ride Derborance out and back and then climb Croix de Coeur from Aproz and back to Verbier (read this article for the Croix de Coeur from Aproz).
3. Get a lift to Pont-de-la-Morge and ride Derborence from there.
In any event, we’d suggest you find a way to make it work; it was a fantastic ride.
Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.
For this trip, we were guests of Verbier and Val de Bagnes, with guiding from Adam at Haut Velo. They are keen for cyclists to know about their region.
Highlights
The two best bits of this top Swiss cycling climb are, in our opinion:
- The five kilometre stretch after Avens before the forest, where the road hugs the cliffs and you get views down to the valley and imposing waterfalls on the other side of the valley.
- Taking a moment to relax, and perhaps have a spot of lunch, at the lovely Refuge by Lac de Derborance.
Notes
Statistics
From Pont-de-la-Morge, RWGPS shows us a 17 kilometre climb, with 5.8% average gradient (16.1% max).
Pont-de-la-Morge to Avens
The first part of the climb from Pont-de-la-Morge to Avens is on a road through vineyards and urban areas; there are the “usual” spectacular valley views but the road gets a bit of traffic.
Avens to the forest
It’s after you leave Avens that the drama really unfolds.
The gradient flattens out and for the next five or six kilometres you pick up the La Lizerne river valley. With the river far beneath you, you head off into the gorge. The road feels like it’s been cut right into the rock face itself; it’s narrow, craggy and twists and turns around the cliffs.
There are two long tunnels within this stretch. Fortunately, the tunnels have been built with windows, so while the tunnel is not lit, it’s also not pitch black. Of course, you’ll want your sunglasses off for the tunnels.
Forest to Lac de Derborence
Around four kilometres from the summit, the road starts to climb again, this time through low forest.
Bear left at the junction and you arrive in the gravel strewn car park. Head on through it and you’ll find the remote outpost of the Refuge Derborance, by the side of a bluey-greeny lake.
It’s a tranquil spot and the perfect place for a spot of lunch.
The return
The return from the lake to the valley is fun; as with the climb, there may be rocks and debris on the road. Bear in mind you’re pretty remote here and the road is narrow with plenty of blind corners, so it’s not somewhere to take risks.
Café stops
After you leave the valley, the Refuge Derborence at the lake is the next place to refuel. If you’re relying on it for food and drink, do check opening times in advance.
The refuge also has a lovely water fountain. See below!
Refilling up a bottle at Lac de Derborance; water fountains are numerous in Switzerland
Accommodation
Remember to double-check accommodation bike storage arrangements (and any other services you need) before booking as policies often change.
We stayed at the Hotel Bristol in Verbier.
You can find out more about our stay in our main guide to cycling Verbier and Val des Bagnes.
There are lots of hotels in Verbier to choose from.
Tips
Make sure you read the tips section of our Verbier cycling guide. These all apply to this ride.
Watch out for rocks and gravel on the roads. You are very remote here.
Keep an ear (and eyes!) open for the public bus and other vehicles. The road is narrow, the tunnels are long and you need to take care.
A quick history (and geography) lesson
In the 1700s, two huge landslides hit the area. At that time, people thought these landslides were the work of the devil, so they started calling the mountains Diablerets, which means Devils Mountains.
The landslides left behind 100-metre-high piles of rubble that blocked the flow of water and created a lake. This lake was believed to be cursed, so it was left untouched for a long time, allowing nature to take over again.
Nowadays, the Derborence Valley, where the lake is located, is protected as a nature reserve. It’s home to an old forest that grew on top of the landslide debris, which is particularly valuable.
Looking for more stunning cycling routes in Switzerland’s Valais?
Don’t miss these:
- Croix de Coeur and Col du Lein
- Planches, Petit Forclaz, Champex Lac
- La Fouly
- Mauvoisin Dam
- Switzerland’s best cycling routes
Got a question for Clare?
Fill out this form and we will send it to Clare. We aim to get you an answer within 24 hours where possible!Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.
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