Col du Chaussy

Altitude 1533 m
Massif de la Vanoise
Savoie department

North side topo

On the descent from the Col de la Madeleine towards La Chambre, don't miss the left fork that will take you to Montaimont and on to the Col du Chaussy. You'll have to negotiate the break in the slope, which is going to be terrible: 2.2 km between 9 and 9.5%. You can take a breather when you reach the pretty Chapelle de Notre-Dame de Beaurevers. The slope then eases off for 1250 m - no more than 4.5% - to Montaimont.
. In front of you, enjoy the view of the Montagne des Coins peaks, now approaching 3000 m...
. But the pleasure will be short-lived, as you'll have to make another effort between Montaimont and Bonvillard, with 3.2 km of gradients averaging between 6 and 8.5%. 
Fortunately, a slight descent followed by a flat area 1 km after Bonvillard will allow you to recharge your batteries again, and you'll really need it... 
The slope will pick up again with 1 km at an average of 10.5%! But the scenery is beautiful, and all you have to do is manage the final stretch up to the pass, with the last 1,500 m dropping from 6% to 5%.
At the pass, you'll enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside. At the pass, you can enjoy its calm, and in the company of the Chapelle de Notre-Dame du Chaussy, admire the sublime Aiguilles d'Arves to the south.

South side topo
 

Starting from Pontamafrey, count on a beautiful 13.9 km climb for 1035 m of D+ at 7.5%. You'll tackle the most spectacular slope via a vertical wall, linking 18 switchbacks over 3 kilometers at an average gradient of 8%. Enough to satisfy all your wildest cycling fantasies! You'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Maurienne Valley, with St-Jean-de-Maurienne as the main backdrop.
At the end of these first pleasures, you can head off on a gentler slope - 700 m at 6.5% - to Montvernier. Once out of Montvernier, business resumes in a rural setting with lovely views of the Massif de Belledonnne, with an average gradient of 7.5% for 1.5 km between Montvernier and Le Noirey, followed by 1.1 km at 7% to Montbrunal.
Not tired? If you're not tired, go ahead and tackle this long section - 4.5 km - with an increased gradient of around 8-9% and an impressive stretch of balcony road carved into the rock, with views of the Aiguilles d'Arves.
At the end of this section, you'll have to climb up to the Aiguilles d'Arves. At the end of a hairpin bend, there's a life-saving flat - 475 m at 4% - and an easy passage - 830 m at 6.5% - to Montpascal. The final stretch is breathtaking, with a view of the mineral slopes of Le Grand Coin (2729 m) and another breathtaking view of the distant, tiny Maurienne Valley. You're on the right track: 5 laces + 7% + 1.7 km = Col du Chaussy at 1533 m! Beware: the final 100 m at 10% may take you by surprise. At the pass, you'll enjoy a country setting with a pretty chapel and a 4-star view of the Massif de Belledonne, the Aiguilles d'Arves and the Chaîne de la Lauzière.

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Author

Joris Lesueur

webmaster of alpes4ever.com

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