Actually, it should be a challenge, or maybe even a bicycle passport for Crans-Montana and the surrounding area. The check-off of all the dams or ‘barrages’ around the Swiss spa resort. The variations are legion and each dam has its own beauty. We already went up earlier in the process to Lake of Tseuzier. You could call this the ‘getting to know each other climb’ on the cycling passport. It’s still a pretty steep climb, but it’s shorter than the other options. The other options? The climb to Lac des Dix (the Barrage du Grand Dixence, (a monsterously beautiful climb), but also the climb to Mauvoisin or to the smaller Cleuson are among the options. In this episode, we tackle the climb to Barrage de Moiry and the associated dam. Was this an easy climb? You’ll find out more about that later.
text: Sander Kolsloot – photos: Mark Heij – Sander Kolsloot
First down
We drive down. In Crans-Montana, it’s almost a must to drive down first, then find the way up again. The descent from Crans-Montana can be started in several ways. In the direction of Sion or towards Sierre, it often means a beautiful combination of curves and a winding path through the vineyards. Beautiful pictures guaranteed. We at least descend towards Sierre, because that’s where we cross over to Val d’Anniviers. Here the magnificent climb towards the Barrage de Moiry begins.
The climb – part 1
When we start the climb, it is still partly cloudy. This provides some cover from the warm sun. The first hill itself also provides some cover. The first kilometers are already a pleasure right away. A beautiful short loop with hairpin bends that most resembles Lacets de Montvernier invites to take photos, oohs and ahhs, and a nice start. Immediately after this section you drive past the mountain ridge and you have the snow peaks in the background. The view is breathtaking. The climb itself is not very steep and you can find a good pace. We enjoy it to the fullest and the clicks of the cameras and iPhones say enough. It is truly spectacular.
First stop Vissoie
We arrive in the village of Vissoie. Subconsciously, I can only read ‘fish oil’. The local bakery invites us for a short stop to try some local delicacies. Aside from the issues with electronic payment, it’s a great stop. Reminder that cash is still king. It’s also the start of the second part of the climb. From here, it heads towards Grimentz and from there, it’s a very long stretch towards the final peak.
Further up to the dam
Directly after Vissoie you take a short, steep descent, again with a few tight hairpin bends. You pass a mini dam and from there we start climbing again in a ‘Swiss’ style. It gets steeper and more irregular now, but for the time being the double digits remain out of your reach. As soon as you reach the village of Grimentz (just wave to our friend Yves) Then it really gets tough again. One thing is constant: the view of the snow-covered peaks. It never stops. The landscape is also slowly getting a bit calmer, because don't forget: you end up climbing to 2250 meters altitude! That's above the tree line and so you end up in a kind of lunar landscape.
To the top
The climb from Grimentz is a tough climb in itself. Almost seven kilometers, with an average of about eight or nine percent. The signs along the side, which indicate how the climb looks like per kilometer, are sometimes painful to the eyes. Well, then I just have to look around a bit more. It’s really beautiful. A climb to a dam is something special because you are, by definition, driving towards a big wall. That also means that the road builders have been able to get creative with a way to get all the way to the top. In the case of the Barrage de Moiry, they chose to use the left side of the valley for the final kilometers. You come across the right side of the dam and so you have to make the crossing at the bottom of the dam. That is different from, for example, Grand-Dixence. Even now, just like at Lac de Dix, the last kilometer is the hardest. It’s a struggle to get up the hill and when the tunnel is in sight I think: finally flat! Because a tunnel = flat. But is that true? Nothing could be further from the truth. 10% plus! On top of that, there’s the uphill climb.
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Breathtaking top and then a descent again
On top of that, we take the time to take a look around. We meet a Dutch couple who wants to take some drone photos of us. We also marvel at the view and the beautiful blue lake (which is relatively empty). At the top, you can even have some food, although the menu mostly consists of hearty Swiss specialties with lots of cheese. If it’s not your thing, take the downhill route. Speaking of that downhill. It’s really a beautiful thing. Although there are a few sections of asphalt that are a bit slicker and some stones on the road, it’s a descent that you can tackle. Relatively little traffic and quite manageable. The seven kilometers back to Grimentz are over in no time. We stop there for a piece of local dough with tomato sauce. The prices are a bit ‘inflated’, but overall they’re still acceptable. After that, it’s full speed back down towards Saint-Jean and Vissoie. Remember: at Vissoie you have to climb up again for a while, before you can descend comfortably towards Sierre.
Route Barrage de Moiry
This route starts from Crans-Montana towards Lac de Moiry. In the end we decided to take the Climb back to Crans-Montana It was well worth it and the funicular ride up was fun. €10 well spent.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.