Description
A slightly lesser-known pass than its neighbor, the Croix de Fer, but no less formidable an ascent, with 17km at an average gradient of over 7%.
You could call it the "Opinel climb". It was on this route, in the hamlet of Gévoudaz, that Joseph Opinel invented the world-famous knife in 1890. It's also here that your gradient exceeds 9%, and doesn't drop again until you pass the hamlet of Col du Mollard in Albiez-Montrond, a pretty village resort dominated by the Aiguilles d'Arves.
For the more courageous, why not continue on to the foot of the Aiguilles d'Arves?
This variant takes you through the hamlets of Les Rieux, Montrond and Le Chalmieu.
Road conditions and traffic are average.
Several water points are accessible, notably in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Albiez-Montrond (at the equestrian center in Le Col, and near Place Opinel in Le Chef-lieu), as well as refreshment and repair points.
In terms of local sights to see, you'll enjoy exceptional panoramic views of the Albiez plateau and the famous Aiguilles d'Arves.
Plain text period
From 15/04 to 31/10 daily.
Depending on the weather.
Depending on the weather.
