The Tour of Stations 2026

This time, you won't be going to Switzerland to ski, but to cycle 🚴‍♂️. The Tour of Stations taking place between the cities of Sion, Sierre, and Le Châble promises you physical and scenic wonders 🏋️‍♀️.

At the end of August, when summer is ending and autumn is approaching fast 🍂, don't let yourself be downcast by the return to school, the end of vacations, and the falling temperatures, and head to the resort of Le Châble, not far from the famous Lake Geneva ⛵️. The best remedy against time is called the Tour of Stations and offers you several exceptional routes through the canton of Valais. Between winding passes, mountain peaks, and steep descents, you will return home with incredible memories in your head 💭.

Don't worry, we'll describe the place a bit for you so you don't feel completely lost once you arrive 😉. First, imagine going to a ski resort in the middle of summer, with well-maintained paved roads connecting the different neighboring villages 🛣️. Then visualize natural landscapes, ranging from mountains, forests, and small vineyards on rolling hills 🍇. Finally, get ready to party. Events of such magnitude are not organized in the region every day, and the locals intend to take advantage to light up the dance floor 🕺. Once you arrive, you will be tired, but the atmosphere and animation on site will keep you going all night long without any problem ✨.

Now that the scene is set, let's focus on the sporting aspect 🧐. The organization is not at its first attempt and continues to deliver successful editions. Over time, the routes have developed, and today we find 4 individual routes, 1 relay route, and 1 junior route for our favorite little ones 🤩. The relay takes place on the largest offered route: the "Ultrafondo". It's quite the challenge where you have to be "ultra-tough" 💪. For over 240 km and almost 9,000 mD+ (higher than Mount Everest or just over 27 times the height of the Eiffel Tower 😵). And it's not just one climb followed by one big descent ❌. We're talking about 10 formidable climbs, which will draw on your deepest strength. And if that doesn't scare you, then sign up as an individual. In this case, you can even start at 2:30 am and experience the first tens of kilometers in night mode 🌙. Original, right? Anyway, there's also the "Superfondo" route and the "Marmotte Granfondo" 🪨 path. Two routes of 186 km and 132 km, respectively, with an additional 4,700 mD+ and 7,000 mD+. We're still talking about a very high athletic level ☠️. To put it in perspective and to help you visualize the magnitude of the feat you're about to accomplish: on a Grand Tour, the average stage distance and elevation gain are typically 170 km for 1,700 mD+. Even on the most famous high mountain stages ⛰️, such as the Alpine or Dolomitic stages, positive elevation gain usually doesn't exceed 5,000 mD+. It's going to be impressive and exhausting. Finally, if you're looking for a challenge worthy of the name, but you don't have extraordinary physical conditions 🏃, the last route, the "Mediofondo", will be perfect for you. Set off leisurely at 8:00 am ⏰, enjoy the landscapes, and finish your race before nightfall, at 8:30 pm 🕣. If you pedal quickly, you might even return in time to watch the children take on the "Bambinofondo" course, consisting of several loops in the small village of Verbier. So, what's your verdict? 🤔

The next day brings relief 🛏️. Once you've recovered well and the race is just a vague memory, savor the wonders the region has to offer. Switzerland is renowned worldwide 🇨🇭, largely because of its natural and wild environment. Without straying too far from the area, you can start exploring numerous hikes and small pedestrian trails 🥾. Head to the Conches Valley, the Saas Valley, or even Chablais-Valaisan, at the French border 🇫🇷. These territories have as many routes as there are chocolate varieties 🤤. But you don't have to exercise to have fun, and if relaxation is more your thing 🔌, know that the area boasts numerous thermal spas, which you can find in Saillon, Loèche-les-Bains, Ovronnaz, Val-d'Illiez, or even Brigerbad. We've given you an entire list so you can try them all (and come back to tell us which ones you preferred) 🛁. To combat the current heat 🥵, you can also visit the Aletsch Glacier or the Fee Glacier, where you should be able to find coolness, even in the middle of summer 🧊.

Between chocolate bars and chocolate abs 🍫, the Tour of Stations will make your head spin. Head to Le Châble next August; your race number is waiting for you! 🎽