Region: French Alps
Climbing effort: 864 cep
Elevation meters: 1196
Steepest kilometer: 9.0%

Steepest 250 m: 11%
Foot: 230 m    Top: 1421 m
Mean slope: 6.5%
Length: 18.4 km

From: Pont-en-Royans
Road conditions (2020): moderate
Other race bikers: 5-10 per hour
Motor vehicles: 10-30 per hour
Scenery and road: (4/5)
Restaurant or bar near top: no

PHOTOS    
NW SIDE     Download gpx

         

Other climbs French Alps

The landscape climb from the southwest to the Col du Mont Noir is great from start to finish. The start lies along the road from Pont-en-Royans to the Gorges de la Baume (D531), at the turnoff to Presles. Over the first 7.5 kilometers the slope of the 500 meter segments varies between 7 and 9%. Here the cyclist may enjoy beautiful views of green mountains, the highest part of which are crowned by colorful vertical limestone faces. These are passed at the end of this first part of the ascent, which I actually found the nicest part of the whole ride. Immediately after passing these cliffs, the narrow street runs almost horizontally (1-3%) through green pasture, near the village of Presles. Turn right here towards Le Charmeil, which is reached 2.5 kilometers further on. From there to the pass the road runs constantly through the forest, while it gets even narrower and its surface miserable. At a fork keep left (the road to the right leads to the Col de Pra l'Étang) to find the steepest kilometer (9%) of the ascent immediately afterwards. A few kilometers further the small road ends at a wider road. Keep right here to reach the inconspicuous Col du Mont Noir after some 900 meters.