Climbing the Emosson Dam by bike: the Tour de France 2016 climb in Valais

It’s a Thursday in August around noon. Today we’re cycling to Barrage d’Emosson, in the area of Martigny. The sun is high in the sky, a clear blue sky. I quickly check my bike computer: 10 percent incline. It feels like twice that. The sweat beads on my face. A fellow cyclist calls out to me: ‘From here on it gets even steeper.’ The courage sinks into my bones. Fortunately, I still have room to downshift. At the top, there’s a beautiful view of the dam of Emosson. That keeps me going.

By: Sander Kolsloot – photos: Alain Rumpf

The climb to the Emosson Dam at a glance

The Barrage d’Emosson (Emosson Dam) sits high above the Vallée du Trient, close to the French border and half an hour from Martigny. The road up is one of the most beautiful and toughest climbs in Valais, with a view of the reservoir and Mont Blanc at the top.

• Start: Le Châtelard (about 1,120 m), on the road from Martigny to Chamonix. You climb via Finhaut to the Col de la Gueulaz (1,965 m), just above the dam.
• Length and elevation: from Le Châtelard about 12 kilometres with some 925 metres of climbing. The valley’s tourist office lists the climb from Finhaut as 10.7 kilometres with 913 metres of climbing, averaging 8.5% with a maximum of 13%.
• Tour de France: in 2016 stage 17 finished here, won by Ilnur Zakarin. The Tour de Suisse has also finished at the top.
• Water: fill your bottles in Finhaut. There is nothing else until the top.
• Longer version: from Martigny over the Col de la Forclaz (1,527 m), via Trient and Le Châtelard to the dam. Around 33 kilometres with more than 2,000 metres of climbing in total.

Both routes are in our route database with GPX; you’ll find them at the bottom of this story.

Updated in October 2026 with climb data, routes and practical tips. The story below is from our ride in August 2021.

World Cup territory

Barrage d’Emosson of Finhaut-Emosson is located in the canton Valais (Wallis in German) And here, in September 2020, a complete World Cup spectacle was supposed to take place. The coronavirus threw a wrench in the works: the World Cup was cancelled and moved to Italy. However, we had the opportunity to explore some beautiful routes in the area and still experience a bit of that World Cup atmosphere.

Local Hero

On the first day of our stay in Martigny, Valais, we are kindly welcomed by Alain Rumpf, our guide, and former pro Steve Morabito. We are presented with an extensive exploration of what the World Championships course should have been like. Morabito is the local hero, born in Monthey, just 20km from Martigny. Nowadays he is the ambassador of the region, but is mainly involved in making the bike routes in Valais safer. He personally ensured that at least fifteen climbs were equipped with signage and that bike routes were mapped out. A good contribution from the former Swiss champion.

Scherprechter

After a brief introduction, we slowly make our way out of Martigny. The Col de la Petit Forclaz is there quite quickly, once the intended steep climb in the World Championships course. With more than four kilometers of climbing at an average of almost ten percent, this is a serious test for the legs. Puffing and leaning forward, we reach the top. Morabito is waiting for us with a smile. ‘This is a good way to warm up, isn’t it?’ he grins. He still has enough breath to talk calmly about his work as ambassador for Valais. A nice addition to the magnificent view over the valley towards Martigny.

Barrage d’emosson

After a short coffee and water break, it’s almost 30 degrees in the full sun, and we continue on our way towards the Barrage D’Emosson. This climb was the final climb during the 17th stage of the 2016 Tour de France, a stage that saw decisions being made in the final kilometers of the race for the overall classification.

MORABITO!

We crawl up the hill with a slithering pace, and we understand more and more why. The signs along the side, which Morabito so proudly talked about, provide accurate and sometimes painful information about the next few kilometers. Elevation rates of over ten percent are the rule rather than the exception. The closer to the top, the steeper it seems to get. Morabito drives up with extra ease here. The road has his name painted more than 200 times. A gift from the fan club led by his brother. It will surely give him extra morale.

Breathtaking views

Once we’re up there, we stop moving. Literally and figuratively. The view of the alpine peaks, with Mont Blanc in the distance, is sublime. I’m truly moved. The combination with the reservoir and the dam completes the picture. The clicking of cameras and the cries of admiration break the silence.

Back again

After a good Swiss lunch and a short ride over the dam, we head into the descent. The climb up was already nice, but the descent presents a technical drop with good road conditions and a few nice steep turns. The traffic is manageable, which helps in a descent like this. At the bottom, there is still a short climb to the top of the Forclaz, before ending in Martigny via a beautifully flowing descent.
Detail: the speedometer shows almost 80km/h and while everyone is hanging upside down in the saddle, Morabito leans loosely with his hands on the handlebars. 

Best mechanic

The Swiss is completely relaxed but also extremely helpful. As we descend, I’m struggling. Not a walk in the park. Fortunately, it’s a slow downhill, but still serious enough for a tire change. Steve quickly takes the wheel and, as a true mechanic, changes the tire. At the same time, he gives some tips on other climbs and helps with securing the saddle better. I hadn’t expected that at all and eagerly record the scene on the camera. What a wonderful day on the bike and what a unique place to visit.

Stay

Switzerland generally has very good accommodation. For cyclists, there are also special bike hotels, with a locked storage area for the bike, space to change keys, and extra good facilities (even breakfast is included). If you go cycling in Valais, you can stay in a hotel like ours: Martigny in the Hotel Campanille. That’s just like going from a ‘bike-friendly’ place to an officially bike hotel.

Food – Drink

While cycling in Valais, you’ll come across all kinds of beautiful places to stop for a drink or snack. Above the Forclaz there’s a great spot for a coffee and you can refill your water bottle at the water well. Above the Emosson dam there’s a good lunch spot with local specialties. 

Useful information: In the winter, many passes and climbs are closed due to the snow (and ice). If you want to know if you can cycle near by: On the Alpen Pässe website in Switzerland you will find the most up-to-date information on the opening of these passes. https://alpen-paesse.ch/en/

How to get there

Switzerland is easy to travel to from the Netherlands by car, although the region around Aigle – Martigny certainly takes 10-11 hours of travel time in total. A good alternative is the train. Switzerland has one of the best train systems in Europe and there is also the option to purchase a Swiss Travel System for multiple days (maximum 14 days). All information about this can be found here the SBB website 

You can take the night train to Basel, or alternatively a regular train, where you will have to check whether you can bring your bike on board. Via Nightjet.com You find a lot of information.

Cycling to Barrage d’Emosson – Col de Petit Forclas – Valais

Questions about climbing the Emosson Dam (Barrage d’Emosson)

How hard is the climb to the Emosson Dam?

Hard. Expect around 12 kilometres with more than 900 metres of climbing, long sections above 8% and peaks of 13%. The final part up to the Col de la Gueulaz is the steepest. A low gear (for example 34x32) is no luxury.

When is the road to the dam open?

The road is high and closed by snow in winter and spring. It is usually open from June to October; check the current situation with the Vallée du Trient tourist office before you go.

Where does the climb start?

The classic climb starts in Le Châtelard, where the road to Finhaut turns off the Martigny – Chamonix road. If you want to make it even harder, ride over the Col de la Forclaz from Martigny first.

Can you get food or drinks at the top?

In summer there is a restaurant at the dam, with a terrace overlooking the lake. Still, always bring enough food and drink, as there is little along the way.

Where to stay?

Martigny is the most convenient base, with hotels, a train station and bike shops. For a quieter stay, sleep in Finhaut or Trient, or at the hotel at the top of the Col de la Forclaz. Read more about cycling in the region on our page about Valais.

Sources for the climb data: Verticalp Emosson en Vallée du Trient. Route calculated with BRouter based on OpenStreetMap.