The Col des Aravis is one of the cols of the
Route des Grandes Alpes.
This is undoubtedly a reason for the popularity of this pass.
When I biked up here on a Sunday in June,
there were a large number of cars, motorcycles and cyclists.
Part of the latter category may decide
for the ascent from St-Jean-de-Sixt
because of the low level of difficulty.
Most 500 meter intervals have a gradient of 6 or 7%
whereas the first three kilometers to La Clusaz (2-4%)
and the last kilometer before the pass (4-5%) are even easier.
The only 500 meter interval that is steeper than 7%
is situated three kilometers before the finish.
The climb can be extended with the ride from Thônes
to St-Jean-de-Sixt.
That adds another 164
climb effort points (cep) and 332 elevation meters.
Unfortunately, this extension takes place on a road
with a lot of fast driving traffic in an unimpressive landscape.