Celebration at the Col Saint-Martin pass
Lionel Terrail
Col Saint-Martin and La Colmiane-Valdeblore resort
Lionel Terrail

Col Saint-Martin

Or Col de la Colmiane pass

Altitude 1503 m

Massif du Mercantour-Argentera

DepartementAlpes-Maritimes

West side topo

col saint martin - profil versant ouest
Starting from the Vallée de la Tinée, at the intersection of the M2205 and the M2565, a long and difficult 16.5 km climb with 1023 m of D+ at 6% average gradient awaits you. An initial ramp of 1.6 km (including 2 tunnels, the first of which is unlit) offers a superb view over the Vallée de la Tinée, but also a good effort at an average of 7.5%.
Then it's time to take it easy, with a steep climb to the top. Things settle down after that, with a fairly regular gradient that often varies around 6-7%. You can find watering holes as you pass through the villages of La Bolline, La Roche and St-Dalmas. The Station de la Colmiane occupies the summit at 1503 m.

Topo southeast slope

col saint martin - profil versant sud est
Although the ascent of the Col Saint-Martin really begins in St-Martin-Vésubie, it's important to take into account the 11.7 km ascent of the Vallée de la Vésubie, which offers over 400 m of positive ascent. In St-Martin-Vésubie, a sustained 8.8 km, 6.5% final stretch awaits you, including a belvedere located in a bend that offers a beautiful view of the Vallée de Vésubie, 2 short tunnels (not lit) and a 1 km passage at an average gradient of 8%.

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Saint-Martin Vésubie / Sospel

26 Saint-Martin Vésubie / Sospel

51 km
3 h 26 min
Difficult
This Route des Grandes Alpes® stage covering the Vésubie Valley and Haut-Pays Niçois takes you over the Col de Turini pass (1607 m), made famous by the Monte Carlo Car Rally. Also on the menu are: the magnificently colourful village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie; La Bollène Vésubie, a beautifully rounded hilltop village; grandiose landscapes combining gorges and perched promontories; and the small town of Sospel, with its picturesque squares and lanes… not forgetting Roquebillière, the Côte d’Azur’s thermal spa resort, protected from summer heatwaves thanks to its location, at 600m above sea level.

Author

Joris Lesueur

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