Travel diary
What kind of cyclist are you?
Published on 29.05.2026
Content
In Villars-sur-Ollon, every pedal stroke opens the door to a different experience, between alpine panoramas, dense forests and high-altitude trails. Here, cycling is lived both as a sporting adventure and as a way to discover an exceptional destination at your own pace.
Are you drawn to thrilling downhill rides that get the adrenaline pumping, an explorer of forest trails in search of authentic sensations, a fan of legendary mountain passes rewarded with spectacular views, or a leisurely e-biker enjoying the scenery without constraints? Every rider profile finds its place in Villars, with a varied and accessible playground.
Answer a few quick questions to discover which type of rider lies within you… and, above all, which cycling experiences you should enjoy in Villars this summer, between panoramic routes, sporting challenges and moments of pure mountain freedom.
1. Your ideal playground?
A. Technical forest trails with roots and tight turns
B. A long scenic road with views of the Alps
C. A mix of trails, roads, and nature paths
D. A gentle climb with electric assistance and stops at cafés and restaurants
E. Fast downhill runs with jumps and adrenaline
A brief moment of reflection during a mountain bike ride © Alain Rumpf
2. On holiday, you are mainly looking for…
A. A connection with nature
B. Self-challenge and personal achievement
C. Adventure and freedom
D. Easy-going enjoyment without too much effort
E. Thrills and excitement
A gravel path through unspoilt countryside, crossing the mountain pastures © Alain Rumpf
3. Your essential gear?
A. A well-ventilated helmet and well-inflated tyres
B. A lightweight bike for climbing mountain passes
C. Practical panniers and a GPS to guide you
D. A fully charged battery at 100%
E. A full-face helmet and all the necessary protective gear for downhill riding
Get kitted out to explore the Alpes Vaudoises on a gravel bike. © A Swiss with a Pulse - Alain Rumpf
4. Your favourite phrase?
A. “Shall we take that singletrack over there?”
B. “One more pass, then we head back down.”
C. “What if we kept going to the next village?”
D. “The main thing is to enjoy it.”
E. “Come on, one more descent!”
Never run out of battery power thanks to an extensive network of e-bike charging points. © A Swiss with a Pulse - Alain Rumpf
5. Your ideal pace?
A. Dynamic but flexible
B. Sustained and sporty
C. Long-distance exploration
D. Relaxed and accessible
E. Fast and intense
Climbing the Col de la Croix: a sporting challenge within cycling reach © A Swiss with a Pulse - Alain Rumpf
Results
Mostly A: The sporty mountain biker
You love trails, technical sections and nature routes. In Villars-sur-Ollon, the mountain bike trails through alpine pastures and forests are made for you!
A must-ride MTB route in Villars: La Panoramique (573)
21 km | 3h | Easy level
- Start your ride in Bretaye (access from Villars via the cogwheel train)
- Ride past Lake Bretaye and Lake Chavonnes
- Cross the Col de la Croix and the alpine pastures of the pass
Mostly B: The road climbing rider
Hairpin bends, mountain passes and performance drive you. You are ready to take on long climbs and legendary Alpine ascents.
A must-ride cycling route in Villars: Col de la Croix
61 km | 4-6h | Difficult level
- Climb the iconic ascent to Col de la Croix starting from Villars
- Ride scenic roads towards Les Diablerets
- Enjoy the passage through Aigle and Bex, surrounded by vineyards
Mostly C: The gravel explorer
You like to leave the classic paths and discover varied landscapes. Gravel riding is your freedom zone.
A must-ride gravel route in Villars: Col de la Croix gravel loop
48 km | 4–5 hours | Intermediate
- Take gravel roads to reach Col de la Croix
- Mix terrain between forests, villages and hamlets
- Stop along the way to enjoy the scenery
Mostly D: The e-bike leisure rider
For you, cycling is about enjoyment and discovery. With an e-bike, everything becomes more accessible—even climbs!
A must-ride e-bike route in Villars: The ridge tour
34 km | 2-3 hours | Intermediate
- Start the loop in Villars (Bretaye), Gryon or Les Diablerets
- Stop to admire the many viewpoints
- Stroll through the hamlet of Taveyanne and refresh yourself at Lake Chavonnes
Mostly E: The downhill rider (DH)
Adrenaline, speed and committed descents define you. You live for thrills.
A must-ride DH route in Villars: Grand Chamossaire downhill track
3 km | 10–20 mins | Difficult
- Reach the summit of Grand Chamossaire by train or cable car and chairlift
- Tackle berms and jumps like a pro
- Enjoy the stunning panoramic views along the descent
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directions_bikeDownhill bike
DH Trail – Grand Chamossaire
route 3 km
schedule 20 min
trending_up 309 mtrending_down 309 m
directions_bikeGravel bike
The col de la Croix gravel route
route 48.5 km
schedule 04:10 h
trending_up 1704 m
trending_down 1704 m
directions_bikeMountain biking
The panoramic
route 21 km
schedule 02:20 h
trending_up 482 m
trending_down 1044 m
directions_bikeRoad cycling
Col de la Croix
route 61 km
schedule 04:00 h
trending_up 1571 m
trending_down 1573 m
electric_bikeE-Bike
Tour of the summits - E-bike route
route 34 km
schedule
trending_up 998 m
trending_down 1562 m
Top 5 gravel routes in the Alpes Vaudoises
- Routes carefully selected by a local cyclist
- GPX files for each route
- Practical tips and recommended spots to make the most of your rides