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Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion

HC
5.0
5 reviews | Elevation profile | 13 photos
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
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Elevation profile Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion

Statistics

Difficulty points 1263
Length 15.5 mi
Average gradient 6.6%
Steepest segment 11.4%
Total ascent 5384 ft

Short recap

Beautiful scenery
23 hairpin turns
#40 toughest climb of Switzerland
#63 most elevation gain of Alps
#26 longest climb of Switzerland
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Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion is a climb in the region Valais. It is 15.5 mi long and bridges 5384 ft of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 6.6%, resulting in a difficulty score of 1263. The top of the ascent is located at 7018 ft above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 5 reviews of this climb and uploaded 13 photos.

Road names: Route d'Hérens, Route de Sion, Route d'Hérémence, Rue Principale, Les Coquelicots, Prolin, Tsaumetta, Rafô & Le Chargeur

5.0 by gaugau7
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French.
A must-see climb in the Valais! A very long climb, during which it goes up without stopping for almost 25 km! The road is in very good condition throughout the climb, with very little traffic. The highest gradients are in the last part of the climb, where there are many tight switchbacks. Once at the top, it's worth having a lock (walking shoes) to take the path to the top of the dam, almost 300 metres higher (a cable car for this last leg is also available)... read more

Photos (13)

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
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Reviews (5)

5.0
4.0
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Dimk11
Dimk11 premium
9 Mo 5.0 via the Climbfinder app

Beautiful climb to get to an iconic hydroelectric dam! Be prepared to deal with a lot of traffic in the first 8-10km leaving from Sion.. but the road is wide and comfortable.

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Dashboard
Brieux
Brieux
11 Mo 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

First part with a lot of traffic but once you pass heremence it goes, very steep end on several laces.

Premiere partie avec beaucoup, de trafic mais après une fois que vous passez heremence cela vas , fin très raide sur plusieurs lacets

Dashboard
Kevin
Kevin premium
1 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Long climb towards Europe's biggest dam. The closing kilometres in particular are pretty tough. Cycling on the dam itself is unfortunately prohibited. On foot or by lift are the only options.

Lange klim richting de grootste dam van Europa. Vooral de slotkilometers zijn behoorlijk pittig. Fietsen op de dam zelf is helaas verboden. Te voet of met de lift zijn de enige opties.

Dashboard
gaugau7
gaugau7
4 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A must-see climb in the Valais!
A very long climb, during which it goes up without stopping for almost 25 km! The road is in very good condition throughout the climb, with very little traffic. The highest gradients are in the last part of the climb, where there are many tight switchbacks. Once at the top, it's worth having a lock (walking shoes) to take the path to the top of the dam, almost 300 metres higher (a cable car for this last leg is also available)

Montée incontournable du Valais !
Très longue ascension, durant laquelle ça monte sans arrêt durant presque 25 km ! La route est en très bon état tout au long de la montée, avec très peu de trafic. Les pourcentages les plus élevés sont dans la dernière partie de l'ascension, où se succèdent de nombreux lacets très serrés. Une fois en haut, cela vaut la peine d'avoir un cadenas (des chaussures de marche) pour prendre le sentier jusqu'au sommet du barrage, presque 300 mètres plus haut (un téléphérique pour cette dernière étape est aussi accessible)

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Dashboard
klimgeiten
klimgeiten premium
5 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Beautiful road to the largest reservoir in Europe.
The dam is 285 meters high and provides twenty percent of Switzerland's energy supply.
Last part of the climb 13 hairpin bends with steep percentage between 10 and 12％.

Prachtige weg naar het grootste stuwmeer van Europa.
De dam is 285 meter hoog en verzorgt twintig procent van de energievoorziening van Zwitserland.
Laatste deel van de klim 13 haarspeldbochten met pittige percentage tussen de 10 en 12％.

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion
Dashboard

Climbing times

5 mph 03:06:36
7 mph 02:12:07
9 mph 01:42:57
12 mph 01:17:21

Road surface condition

100% 0% 0%
Based on 4 votes
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Traffic

25% 50% 25%
Based on 4 votes
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Frequently Asked Questions

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion is a challenging ascent. For this type of climbing, we recommend mountain gearing, specifically a compact system. This means a small front chainring of 34 teeth, combined with a rear cassette where, depending on your level, strength, and experience, you choose a sprocket with 30, 32, or even 34 teeth. Remember that a smooth cadence is always more efficient!

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion belongs to the Hors Catégorie, the top category. These are legendary and very tough climbs. A solid cycling condition, experience, and a good climbing gear ratio are essential to maintain a smooth cadence and complete the climb comfortably.

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion is 15.5 mi long.

The average gradient of Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion is 6.6%.

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 11.4%.

The summit of Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion is at 7018 ft.

At a slow pace of 5 mph, it takes about 03:06:36 to climb Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion. At 7 mph the time is 02:12:07, and at 9 mph 01:42:57. For the fastest cyclists, 01:17:21 is an achievable time.

Barrage de la Grande Dixence from Sion is located in the region Valais in Switzerland.

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