Cycling in Switzerland
Alpine Panorama Route
Stage 8, Montbovon–Aigle
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Alpine Panorama Route
Stage 8, Montbovon–Aigle
A lonely ascent through harsh alpine meadows to Lac de l’Hongrin. On some days, the roaring of artillery is rumbling through the remote area. Intoxicating and exciting is the downhill ride of 1000 m in elevation through several tunnels and into the warmth of the Rhone Valley.
Montbovon is located all the way in the south of the Canton Fribourg bordering on the Pays d’Enhaut region. Before heading for the untamed Vallée de l’Hongrin, you will pass inviting bed and breakfast inns and possibly run out of breath, because the road is steep. Grumbling and groaning – but not because of the effort – the Hongrin River fights its way through the ancient-looking ravines. Be careful biking past overhanging rocks or you might be unpleasantly surprised by a tree branch or even a boulder. Life in the valley may be quite adventurous at times, but Lac de l’Hongrin will calm even the most restless soul. Dozens of small mountain creeks are feeding the crystal-clear reservoir.
The restricted military zone begins in La Lecherette. The bike route leads across the Petit Hongrin shooting range and is open from 1 July to 15 August, although the military is active then. Their instructions must be strictly followed and may lead to a short wait now and then. In June, in the second part of August and in September and October the bike route is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Otherwise take the bypass across the Col des Mosses pass. As many as 50 bridges are listed on 50 green panels with yellow numbers. It looks like you’re supposed to cross 50 bridges and see at least 50 tanks. The mountain farmers don’t seem to mind the cracks of the guns. They stoically keep mowing the grass in the meadows and in the mountainous rocky environment.
Sometimes it is quite hazy here, but when something blue is sparkling ahead it must be Lake Geneva. The descent from Les Agites pass (1538 m) down to Aigle offers fantastic views. A 300 m dripping tunnel with shafts for illumination affords spectacular sights of the Rhone Valley. Take a brief rest in Luan to look at the mountains of the Dents du Midi group. There is even a panorama board with the names of all the mountains you can see. The ride through the winegrowing villages of Corbeyrier, Vers-Morey and Yvorne to the warmth of the Rhone Valley is winding and brisk. Château d'Aigle, one of Switzerland’s most important castle complexes towers above the small town of Aigle, where you might see a cute tramway chugging straightaway to the train station.
The restricted military zone begins in La Lecherette. The bike route leads across the Petit Hongrin shooting range and is open from 1 July to 15 August, although the military is active then. Their instructions must be strictly followed and may lead to a short wait now and then. In June, in the second part of August and in September and October the bike route is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Otherwise take the bypass across the Col des Mosses pass. As many as 50 bridges are listed on 50 green panels with yellow numbers. It looks like you’re supposed to cross 50 bridges and see at least 50 tanks. The mountain farmers don’t seem to mind the cracks of the guns. They stoically keep mowing the grass in the meadows and in the mountainous rocky environment.
Sometimes it is quite hazy here, but when something blue is sparkling ahead it must be Lake Geneva. The descent from Les Agites pass (1538 m) down to Aigle offers fantastic views. A 300 m dripping tunnel with shafts for illumination affords spectacular sights of the Rhone Valley. Take a brief rest in Luan to look at the mountains of the Dents du Midi group. There is even a panorama board with the names of all the mountains you can see. The ride through the winegrowing villages of Corbeyrier, Vers-Morey and Yvorne to the warmth of the Rhone Valley is winding and brisk. Château d'Aigle, one of Switzerland’s most important castle complexes towers above the small town of Aigle, where you might see a cute tramway chugging straightaway to the train station.
A lonely ascent through harsh alpine meadows to Lac de l’Hongrin. On some days, the roaring of artillery is rumbling through the remote area. Intoxicating and exciting is the downhill ride of 1000 m in elevation through several tunnels and into the warmth of the Rhone Valley.
Montbovon is located all the way in the south of the Canton Fribourg bordering on the Pays d’Enhaut region. Before heading for the untamed Vallée de l’Hongrin, you will pass inviting bed and breakfast inns and possibly run out of breath, because the road is steep. Grumbling and groaning – but not because of the effort – the Hongrin River fights its way through the ancient-looking ravines. Be careful biking past overhanging rocks or you might be unpleasantly surprised by a tree branch or even a boulder. Life in the valley may be quite adventurous at times, but Lac de l’Hongrin will calm even the most restless soul. Dozens of small mountain creeks are feeding the crystal-clear reservoir.
The restricted military zone begins in La Lecherette. The bike route leads across the Petit Hongrin shooting range and is open from 1 July to 15 August, although the military is active then. Their instructions must be strictly followed and may lead to a short wait now and then. In June, in the second part of August and in September and October the bike route is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Otherwise take the bypass across the Col des Mosses pass. As many as 50 bridges are listed on 50 green panels with yellow numbers. It looks like you’re supposed to cross 50 bridges and see at least 50 tanks. The mountain farmers don’t seem to mind the cracks of the guns. They stoically keep mowing the grass in the meadows and in the mountainous rocky environment.
Sometimes it is quite hazy here, but when something blue is sparkling ahead it must be Lake Geneva. The descent from Les Agites pass (1538 m) down to Aigle offers fantastic views. A 300 m dripping tunnel with shafts for illumination affords spectacular sights of the Rhone Valley. Take a brief rest in Luan to look at the mountains of the Dents du Midi group. There is even a panorama board with the names of all the mountains you can see. The ride through the winegrowing villages of Corbeyrier, Vers-Morey and Yvorne to the warmth of the Rhone Valley is winding and brisk. Château d'Aigle, one of Switzerland’s most important castle complexes towers above the small town of Aigle, where you might see a cute tramway chugging straightaway to the train station.
The restricted military zone begins in La Lecherette. The bike route leads across the Petit Hongrin shooting range and is open from 1 July to 15 August, although the military is active then. Their instructions must be strictly followed and may lead to a short wait now and then. In June, in the second part of August and in September and October the bike route is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Otherwise take the bypass across the Col des Mosses pass. As many as 50 bridges are listed on 50 green panels with yellow numbers. It looks like you’re supposed to cross 50 bridges and see at least 50 tanks. The mountain farmers don’t seem to mind the cracks of the guns. They stoically keep mowing the grass in the meadows and in the mountainous rocky environment.
Sometimes it is quite hazy here, but when something blue is sparkling ahead it must be Lake Geneva. The descent from Les Agites pass (1538 m) down to Aigle offers fantastic views. A 300 m dripping tunnel with shafts for illumination affords spectacular sights of the Rhone Valley. Take a brief rest in Luan to look at the mountains of the Dents du Midi group. There is even a panorama board with the names of all the mountains you can see. The ride through the winegrowing villages of Corbeyrier, Vers-Morey and Yvorne to the warmth of the Rhone Valley is winding and brisk. Château d'Aigle, one of Switzerland’s most important castle complexes towers above the small town of Aigle, where you might see a cute tramway chugging straightaway to the train station.
Length
52 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 52 km
Natural surface: 0 km
Natural surface: 0 km
Ascent | Descent
1050 m | 1450 m
Fitness level
difficult
Arrival | return travel
More …
Shooting range in operation
The road between La Lécherette and Luan runs through the «Petit Hongrin» shooting range. Passage is subject to restrictions. Please follow the instructions below as well as any information provided locally:
1 July – 15 August: The road is open to cyclists despite military operations, but short waiting times are possible. If a military exercise is being held in the “Grand Ayerne” area, the safety of road users is ensured via an admission and exit ticket system.
1 – 30 June / 16 August – 31 October: The road is only open for cyclists on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
1 November – 31 May: The municipality of Corbeyrier closes the road to all traffic between Plan d’en Haut and Luan.
15 December – 31 March: The military road is closed to all traffic from La Lécherette onwards.
Information (Petit Hongrin shooting range): 058 461 42 22
Office du Tourisme Les Mosses - La Lécherette
1 July – 15 August: The road is open to cyclists despite military operations, but short waiting times are possible. If a military exercise is being held in the “Grand Ayerne” area, the safety of road users is ensured via an admission and exit ticket system.
1 – 30 June / 16 August – 31 October: The road is only open for cyclists on weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
1 November – 31 May: The municipality of Corbeyrier closes the road to all traffic between Plan d’en Haut and Luan.
15 December – 31 March: The military road is closed to all traffic from La Lécherette onwards.
Information (Petit Hongrin shooting range): 058 461 42 22
Route du Col des Mosses 106
1862 Les Mosses
Tel. +41 (0)24 491 14 66
