Discovering the Vaud Alps by road bike - Meeting with Anatole

We take you to on a road biking adventure in the Vaud Alps accompanied by Anatole.  Aged 29 years, Anatole is originally from Les Diablerets. He trained as a gym and English teacher but currently works as a ski instructor. He has also played bass in a music band for several years.  Why practice road biking?  This is an efficient and low-impact way to get around. The road bike offers an appealing element of speed when going downhill. It is also a great means of testing my physical abilities. Why ride in the Vaud Alpes? The region where I was born is ideal for going biking as it is never dull. The route switches constantly and alternates between ascents, descents and flat throughout the ride. Your attitude also changes when biking, and it causes me to reflect, make an effort and therefore work on the mental aspects.

Anatole's journey

Anatole starts his route from Les Diablerets: a ride of about sixty kilometres that goes in a loop. With a cumulative elevation gain of around 1,500 metres, the highest point of the ascent is Col de la Croix, which peaks at an altitude of 1,778 metres. 

The stages

Les Diablerets - Le Sépey - Aigle - Ollon - Villars - Col de la Croix - Les Diablerets.

The highlights of the route

• The panoramas between the vines and mountains not far from Lake Geneva.

• The many "buvettes" that offer a break along the route, particularly Chez Francine on the summit of Col de la Croix. His advice: enjoy a big slice of the house pie! 

• The final zig-zag of Col de la Croix is Anatole’s favourite place on the course, as the view opens up to all sides and the summit is close by. 

Anatole's tips

Eating fondue in an alpine pasture

The fondue is a local dish par excellence. Each chef has their own little secret for making it unique. You can sample it in almost all the restaurants and mountain shelters in the region.  Anatole recommends taking a break at the Refuge de Taveyanne near Col de la Croix to try a delicious fondue at the heart of the alpine meadows, in a traditional village with an atmosphere of absolute peace and quiet. 

Set off on a via ferrata

The via ferrata is the ideal activity to practise to take to the heights and test your self-control on the rocky faces of Les Diablerets.  Anatole recommends the via ferrata at Dar, which enables you to pass under the impressive waterfall that runs down from the glacier.  For those who wish to combine the hike with a via ferrata, the route from Rocher Jaune to the Cabane des Diablerets is a real challenge. This is a difficult via ferrata that is suitable for good climbers who are not easily fazed.