Anyone here done this trail and can help me with a few questions?
I'm going to Verbier with a few mates in a few weeks time. Unfortunately the Bruson lift wont be open. I have my van, which could take all of us and bikes to top of lift. Question - how much further can I go in a van and park it to collect later in a car? Stats look a bit off putting and my mates will take some convincing! It looks like 1000m climbing from top of the Bruson lift. Can I get to half way up La Pasay lift? That would make it "only" a 500m climb 🙂
Question2 - Does Bike Verbier or any other outfit offer uplifts? Might save a lot of faff.
I'm super keen to get as many adventurous rides in as possible. The Ultimate, Jackass, Vertigo and this for starters. My mates might settle for the easy options. TIA
I did this a few years ago, drove all the way up to where the road ends on google maps and parked next to the farm building. Its a pretty long/slow drive but totally worth it
We've done Col De Mille quite a few times from the LeChable side and also been from the other side out towards the Italian border.
Which ever way you go there's going to be at least 1000M of climbing.
From LeChable you can go up the fireroad as far as the farm/cow shed in a van with trailer.
Unless you're getting dropped off there though you'll still have to ride a fair way back up to collect the van.
It's a great trail back down to the valley floor and well worth the slog to get up there.
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I did this a few years ago, drove all the way up to where the road ends on google maps and parked next to the farm building. Its a pretty long/slow drive but totally worth it
It looks like this will give us about 500m climbing left. Thats doable for us all. Have done similar at other resorts. Just got to persuade the clan, and those photos should help, cheers SSS. And thanks Mike
Its still a fair old climb/push carry from the cow shed.
Total worth doing though.
I'd also see if you can find a route guide for the Emosson dam to Martigny ride.
That's a proper epic. One of my all time favourite rides.
You could drive, or you could take the poste bus up pretty much the same height as the top of the telecabine to save the problems of getting the car back. You're looking for the Le Chable - Mayens line, it goes from the train station/Le Chable to Verbier telecabine parking. https://www.postauto.ch/fr/horaire?from=Le+Ch%C3%A2ble+VS%2C+gare&to=Mayens+de+Bruson&date=20.06.2022&time=19%3A32&datetimeType=ED&via=&vehicleTypes=BUS%2CCABLE%2CTRAIN%2CTRAMWAY%2CBOAT&getJourney=true
I've not been up yet this season, so the rules might have changed, but the road is usually closed to motorised vehicles not far after the bus drop off point anyways, so you'll need to do near 1000m climbing whichever way you do it (or ignore the closed sign and drive up anyways, penalties are a fine and ire of the locals) but it's 100% worth the effort, proper smashing trail.
If the bus seems too much like logistics, try Jarno at http://trailtaxi.ch/ for shuttles. Unfortunately Bike Verbier aren't doing uplifts/holidays etc any more 🙁
It might help you if you don't want to drive, the Swiss Post Buses take bikes. There's one around 9.30am from the La Chable station as far as Moay. I reckon that still leaves 800m climbing, but 50% is on easy fire road.
It's only steep through a field just before the col, then a short push/hike to the refuge.
Well worth doing IMO. You can pre book the bus spaces.
I guess you know you can do the other rides you mentioned off the lifts with fairly minimal climbing. Not sure which is 'The Ultimate ' though.
Emosson is great as SSS says. You probably want to drive to Martigney, catch the train to Finhaut then either climb (900m?) or catch the Post Bus which connects with the train arrival. So logistically a bit harder.
If you're in the area in June, there are all sorts of epic options open to you in Chamonix too.
Have fun!
Thanks guys. Bike Verbier have put me into Jamo as well. I'll try and contact him when it there. Posted bus looks like a good option👍
Jarno - http://trailtaxi.ch/
Nice guy with lots of local trail knowledge. We rode CdM and Fenetre de Ferret with him uplifting us. Well recommended and he also now does guiding as well if needed.
Come on man you can't just post that and not put any pictures up.