Montée de Solaison
Plateau de Solaison
In the heart of the alpine pastures
Plan your bike ascent of the Plateau de Solaison
With the arrival of the 15th stage of the Tour de France 2026, the Plateau de Solaison emerges from the shadows to establish itself as one of the Alps' formidable challenges. Admittedly, it's not quite on the official route of the Route des Grandes Alpes®, but it's more than worth a detour for those riding between Cluses and Le Grand-Bornand via the col de la Colombière. Because here, the figures speak for themselves: 11.7 km at an average 9%, a relentless climb... but what a reward! At the finish, a spectacular cirque of alpine meadows, surrounded by peaks, plunges you into a postcard setting.
Bicycling up the Plateau de Solaison from Bonneville
- Start: Thuet / Bonneville (461 m)
- Distance : 12.5 km
- Height gain: 1050 m
- Average gradient: 8.5%
- Maximum gradient: > 13%
- Tour de France rating: hors catégorie
Description of the ascent of the Plateau de Solaison by bike from Bonneville
"You have to admit, it's brutal!". This line from Les Tontons Flingueurs applies perfectly to the Plateau (or Col) de Solaison. Especially if you opt for the northern slope, direct from Thuet (Bonneville).
From the start, the road climbs steeply, almost without respite, all the way to Brison: over six kilometers where the gradient continuously flirts with 10%, sometimes more, on a narrow, winding road clinging to the mountain. A tough start, with no gentle bends to take the breather from, which immediately sets the scene.
After Brison, all the routes converge on a common finale: 6.2 km that is anything but tranquil. The average gradient is around 8%, but this masks real irregularity. Portions at 6% give you the illusion of breathing space, before you plunge into ramps of over 11% that sting. Progress is made through forests and meadows, in a wild, mountainous atmosphere. The final, gentler kilometer (5-6%) offers respite and reward: the arrival at 1500 m on the vast Solaison plateau, in the heart of a cirque of alpine pastures and cliffs.
If you're looking for a less explosive alternative, the Thuet via Mont-Saxonnex option lengthens the climb to 16.4 km for 1057 m of D+, with an average gradient reduced to 7%. This allows for a more gradual progression, retaining the intensity but with a more manageable pace.
Another variant from Scionzier, on the outskirts of Cluses, where you first take the first slopes of the col de la Colombière (3 km fairly easy), before branching off towards Mont-Saxonnex on a 4.4 km ramp at 8.5%. Four kilometers of near-flatness then bring you to Brison, where the common...and unforgiving...part begins.
Solaison is a still little-known climb, but one that has nothing to envy the great Alpine passes. A climb for the tough, a panorama for the poetic!
Cycling time up the Plateau de Solaison (rounded) from Bonneville
- At 7 km/h: 1 h 45
- At 11 km/h: 1 h 10
- At 15 km/h: 50'
- At 19 km/h: 40'
Map of the route up the Plateau de Solaison by bike from Bonneville
Tips to prepare for the ascent of the Plateau de Solaison
We feel like saying: watch out on the way up... and watch out on the way down! The first is tough and requires excellent preparation. The second is steep, sometimes bordering on the ravine.
- Choose your gear ratio carefully: with long stretches at 10% or more, especially at the start of Thuet, an adapted development is essential to climb without exploding.
- Mount at your own pace: the irregular slope and lack of a real resting place can quickly deplete your reserves. Don't set off too fast, especially in the first few kilometers.
- Prepare for mountain weather: at 1500 m altitude, the summit can be much cooler or windier than the valley. Take a jacket for the descent.
- Hydrate regularly: the effort is long and intense, and there are few water points on the climb, apart from a fountain in Brison.
- Be careful on the descent: narrow road, sometimes sharp bends, reduced visibility... Be careful, especially if the road is wet.
Weather conditions for the Plateau de Solaison
The Plateau de Solaison road is open all year round (access to the Domaine Nordique in winter). Barring exceptional conditions requiring temporary closure of access.
Weather conditions are generally more stable than in the major passes. Nevertheless, beware of wind and precipitation on the climb.
Weather at Plateau de Solaison
To find out what time of year to go on Route des Grandes Alpes®
Recommended equipment for the Plateau de Solaison
Services at Plateau de Solaison
You'll find all the shops and services in Bonneville and the Arve Valley.
Meals, snacks and overnight stays on Plateau de Solaison.
Access to Plateau de Solaison
Rail access:
- Cluses SNCF station
Road access:
- A40 or D1205 to Bonneville
Those who've done it say it best!
"I've climbed quite a few passes in Haute-Savoie, but this one clearly got to me. The slope never lets up, zero respite, except at the end, but you've arrived! It's not so short, but hyper intense. Typically the kind of climb for pissed-off puncheurs... or climbers who like to suffer."
"From the second kilometer, I realized I'd made an error of judgment... and of gearing. I spent the next 11 kilometers looking for the slightest false flat, a flat, a nice bend... nothing. It's a climb that makes you question your whole cycling life." Maxime, 39, Geneva.
"I go up to Solaison quite often to train, and every time it's the same slap in the face. It's not the kind of pass you dominate. It forces you to stay humble, manage your cardio and accept that it's going to sting. But once you get to the top, your thighs are on fire, you're rinsed... and you still want to come back." Sophie, 32, Bonneville
"I switched to turbo mode as soon as I left Thuet, and even then, I didn't find it quiet. Solaison, even on a VAE, is hard work! But then the finish... when you come out onto the plateau, it's just magnificent. It's for moments like that that I keep on riding. Alain, 62, Cluses (VAE)
FAQ
Is the Plateau de Solaison on the Route des Grandes Alpes® route?
No, it's slightly off it, but could become a must-see detour for cyclists passing through the col de la Colombière or staying in the Arve Valley.
What's for dinner on the Plateau de Solaison?
Many of the Plateau's inns offer the famous potato fritters as a house specialty, often served with a green salad, local charcuterie or a small glass of Savoy white wine. A real comfort after the effort!
What activities on the Solaison plateau in winter?
The Solaison plateau is a little paradise for cross-country skiers, snowshoers and Nordic hikers. It offers a peaceful domain, far from the hustle and bustle of the big resorts, with loops mapped out in a superb natural setting between mountain pastures and forests.
What can you do on the Solaison plateau apart from cycling or cross-country skiing?
The Solaison plateau is a veritable natural balcony over the Faucigny. It's the perfect place to recharge your batteries: easy walks, wildlife watching (marmots, birds of prey), blueberry picking in season, or simply a good meal facing the mountains.