Col du Défens

Altitude 1267 m

Massif des Trois-Évêchés

Département Massif des Trois-Évêchés

Topo west side

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Thanks to the Petites Route du Soleil itinerary, here's your chance to climb the Col du Défens, at a respectable altitude of 1267 m, completely forgotten by the rest of the world between the Asse de Clumanc and Issole valleys.
After climbing the long Vallée de l'Asse de Clumanc and the long Vallée de l'Issole, you'll find yourself in the heart of the French Alps. After ascending the long Vallée de l'Asse de Clumanc from Barrême, the difficulties really begin at Tartonne. An initial ramp of 1500 m at 6.5% will take you over a small intermediate pass: le Coulet, 1055 m. A small flat area prepares you for a short final climb of 2.6 km, where the gradient is close to 7%.

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East side top

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The climb up the eastern side of the Col du Défens really begins as you leave the Vallée de l'Issole for the Vallée de l'Encure. Ah, nothing too complicated until Lambruisse with 5.1 km where the hardest part won't exceed 4.5%.
On the other hand, business will be tougher. On the other hand, you'll have a tougher time of it on the final climb up the Ravin de Ste-Damasse: 1.8 km at an average gradient of 6.5%, with the last 350 m at 8.5%!
. The pass sign indicates an altitude of 1630 m... no no, you're at 1267 m!

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Tartonne / Saint-André-les-Alpes

18 Tartonne / Saint-André-les-Alpes

45 km
3 h 05 min
Medium
The P’tites Routes du Soleil® cycle route takes you quietly into the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon with its heady mix of gorges, lakes and deep valleys. So well located where French Alps, Provence and Mediterranean lands meet, the Middle Verdon will delight you with its grand, unspoilt landscapes. Here, you follow the river and its turquoise waters as far as Saint-André-les-Alpes. This exceptionally beautiful stage doesn’t present too many cycling difficulties except for the climb to the Col du Défens (a pass at 1,267m).

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Joris Lesueur

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