Rhone valley climbs . . .

I had the good luck to get to ride around Martigny and Sion back in May and try some more climbs. Here’s
some links to photos
..

I’ll be glad for suggestions of other interesting or spectacular climbs to try.

Here’s a map of some climbs in that area

A little about some of the climbs I tried . . .

(lots more details on this page)

* Lac d’Emosson by the France-Switz frontier [map] -- A great big view of the snowy Mont Blanc mountains - (perhaps the best mountain view from a paved road in Europe?) - [photos], also some interesting riding above the lake [photos2]. Makes a great addition to a loop from Martigny thru Salvan up the Gorges du Trient (section on dirt) to Finhaut and return over Col de la Forclaz to Martigny.

* Villars-sur-Ollon from Bex -- big views of the Rhone valley and mountains across it, thru vineyards + farms + villages, interesting riding - (much prettier than the more direct road up from Ollon). [ map | photos | photos2 ]

* "Balcon Sud du Rhone" -- multiple climbs + descents above Sion + Sierre -- big views of Rhone valley + mountains across it, thru mountain villages with views across and up higher valleys, with interesting climbs and descents. [ map | photos ]

* "Balcon Nord du Rhone" -- multiple climbs + descents above Sion + Sierre -- big views of Rhone valley and snowy mountains. [ map ] - (Overall I didn't like this route as much as the "Balcon Sud", I guess its main attraction is that in late summer could still get views of high snowy peaks.)

* la Fey southwest from Martigny [ map ] -- a short way to “skim the best” of the Col de la Forclaz northeast side. Villages + vineyards with views over the Rhone valley (bigger views if descend instead the main Forclaz road, which is how I'd do it).

Some climbs around there I've liked in other years:

* Martigny over Champex to Orseires, and back the same way.

* loop: Orsieres over Grand St Bernard to Aosta, then return Courmayeur over Col du Grand Ferret (dirt) to la Fouly and Orsieres. Views of the Grand Combin, late Mont Blanc, Grandes Jorasses, Mont Dolent, fun descent north side of Grand Ferret. (It's helpful to choose a time with lower traffic volume on the main road above Orsieres, and choose a day when the trail over Grand Ferret is not muddy).

* Pas de Morgins from Monthey, mostly on the side roads - (which did not have any bike route signs for me to follow). (I did enjoy descending on the main road, but the motor traffic is not for everybody and not what I'd want to deal with while climbing up).

Lots more info + details on this page

Ken