After 2019, I was once again drawn to Lac de Salanfe on July 18, 2025. This time I took the train to Les Marécottes (I've learned a thing or two!) and started the tour there. If you want to optimize even more, you could also take the bus to Van d'en Haut. The climb to the dam is still officially closed, still ultra steep, but well maintained. So it came as no surprise when an employee of the auberge approached me in his SUV. In my opinion, this road can be driven on without any problems in stable weather. Once I reached the top, I treated myself to a Coke in the auberge. I had actually planned to cross to Champéry via Col de Susanfe, but the hut warden advised me not to. However, as I was in the mood for a hike & bike today, I decided to cross to Lac d'Emosson via Col d'Emaney and Col de Barberine. As expected, I had to push/carry on the climbs, but the descents were mostly rideable. All in all, a great experience if you like to carry your bike on your shoulders. From Lac d'Emosson, I then took the descent as described in the tour of the same name (#1863).
I ride a Scott Genius Ultimate and am usually in the head group uphill; downhill I'm always the last one by a long way.

16.08.2025

A beautiful tour, but 2 passages in the text that are no longer correct:

1. the path to the reservoir is closed due to the risk of falling rocks; passage prohibited. For cars, bikes, even explicitly pedestrians. However, the alternative is ok, a good way up via steps, in some passages it is better to put the bike on your back for a short time.

2nd "... which rides slightly uphill to Cocorié. This is where the second part of the descent begins, a first-class and varied singletrail, a little rougher and more demanding at times, then flowing and fast again. The trail rides in this way all the way to Evionnaz." -> this part may be rideable, but certainly not with skills 4/6 as described. Extremely blocked, very steep, slippery (although it was dry), very tight bends with the potential to crash, etc. From Cocorié onwards I would look for another route, the one indicated is not worth it. A lot of pushing and carrying; down the mountain.

Tour on 28.07.24: From Van d'en Haut (theoretically) still closed due to danger of falling rocks, partly heavily washed out and loose, except for about 5' but with pressure also rideable with a 34 chainring, the detour via the hiking trail and carrying there is not worth it in my opinion.
Col du Jorat very beautiful and very rideable.
The detour via Cocorié was not worthwhile for me as an XC rider. The trail was in very poor condition, extremely rough, washed out and filled with avalanche debris. There were also visibly hardly any bike tracks. With my Orbea Oiz and 120mm, it was unfortunately 3/4 hike instead of bike. But certainly more rideable for experienced S4 bikers.

Did the tour on Oct 7, 23. Started in Vernayaz, the serpentines up to Salvan and the Vallon de Van valley.
The last section before the dam is very steep up to 28% at the top you are rewarded by a super panorama. The Col de Jorat is easy to manage, the path is quite wide.

I rode the tour from Martigny on October 26, 2019.

The climb to Salvan / Les Marecottes had relatively heavy traffic, but was easy to ride. After that the road became narrower and narrower, but there were still many day trippers riding into the valley. At the end of the valley, there was a correspondingly large number of parked cars. In order not to get in the way of the hikers and as the weather was fine and windless, I didn't take the hiking trail but the road up to the dam (despite the ban). The road was in excellent condition, but extremely steep in places. Thanks to my good fall form, I was able to master everything in the saddle. As the mountains were beautifully reflected in the reservoir, I decided to circle the lake in a clockwise direction. There is a single trail on the southern side of the lake, but it is not completely rideable. You then have to look for a path around the back, and on the northern side of the lake there is a wide mountain path. This loop is not worthwhile from a biking point of view, but the experience is. As the pub was closed, my Biberli had to believe in it. From there, the route continued up to the Col du Jorat, which was no less steep than the first climb.
The first part of the downhill is then easily rideable, after which it goes up and down again for several kilometers in the style of a cross-country route. From Cocorie onwards, it's all downhill, and very steep in places. It was only thanks to my new AM bike and the Plus tires that I was able to master this descent while riding.
Conclusion: Extremely challenging route, both uphill and downhill.
I ride a Scott Genius Ultimate and am usually in the head group uphill; downhill I'm always the last one by a long way.

The closed section is open. I did the reverse route, without an e-bike. That was very hard. I just pushed the bike up the pass on the other side of the COL de Jorat. As on the Vallon de Van side, it is very steep and, as described, very, very rough. A good level of fitness, including mental and riding ability, etc. is an advantage. On the COL de Jorat you are rewarded with a magnificent view towards Lake Geneva, but also the Grand Combin, the Salanfe reservoir, etc.

12.08.2018: the first section of the road from Van d'en Haut to Salanfe is closed due to the risk of falling rocks. Alternatively, you can push/carry your bike along the hiking trail.