Region: French Alps
Climbing effort: 553 cep
Elevation meters: 773
Steepest kilometer: 8.4%

Steepest 250 m: 10%
Foot: 480 m    Top: 1250 m
Mean slope: 6.9%
Length: 11.2 km

From: Moûtiers
Road conditions (2022): average
Other race bikers: 0-1 per hour
Motor vehicles: <10 per hour
Scenerie and road: (2/5)
Restaurant or bar near top: no

PHOTOS    
NE SIDE     Download gpx

         

Other climbs French Alps

The most direct road connection between Aime and Moûtiers is the N90 through the valley of the Isère but for cyclists this road is dangerous. Many parts of the road are bordered by a cycle lane but the lane is mostly narrow, and cars and motorcycles drive fast. It is noteworthy though that the Tunnel de Siaix, which constitutes a part of the N90 here, is not an insurmountable obstacle because separated from the road a "galérie de securité" has been built, which can be used by cyclists. For those who tend to like cycling upwards, two alternatives exist, one on the orographic right bank of the Isère (the D85 and the D85b across the Côte de Montgirod-Hautecour) and one on the orographic left bank of the Isère (the D88 via the Col du Tra, described here). These are quiet or very quiet routes, the roads are not wide and sometimes even very narrow, and generally have many bends and hairpin bends. In short, these alternatives are great for road cyclists. The number of elevation meters of the four climbs varies between 617 and 775.

Coming from Moûtiers, the ascent to the Côte de Montgirod-Hautecour begins at the local train station. The road winds its way up the mountain with many bends, passing several villages. For the first 7.5 kilometers ending in Les Moulins, the slope of the road varies little. With two exceptions, all five hundred meters segments have a slope of 7 or 8%. Past Les Moulins about 4 kilometers remain to côte. These are easier (4-7%). For the last kilometer the road is much narrower. The culmination point is not signposted.