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Ascent of Col de l'Échelle from La Vachette

Val-des-Prés
Col de l'Echelle en Vélo_Val-des-Prés - © Nordic Névache
  • Col de l'Echelle en Vélo_Val-des-Prés - © Nordic Névache

Discover the entire Clarée valley by bike as you climb the Col de l'Échelle. Along the river, between hamlets and forests, this small departmental road will take you to its verdant plateau at 1762 meters altitude.

Description

The Col de l'Echelle is a must for cyclists in the Briançonnais region.
Culminating at 1762m, your departure from the hamlet of La Vachette (1360m) will clock in at 17km (one way) and just over 400 metres of ascent on a small asphalt road.

The ascent to the Col de l'Echelle is a gentle one via the hamlets of Val-des-Prés and Plampinet, with an average gradient of 3%.

Once you've reached Névache, the hardest part begins, with 3 km at a gradient of almost 8%, before returning to the plain of the Col de l'Echelle and descending on the Vallée Étroite side for 12 km.

On your return, don't hesitate to pedal through the various hamlets of Névache, to visit this mountain village at an altitude of almost 1600 metres.

Length from La Vachette: 17 km
Difference in altitude: 400 m
Average gradient: 2.3%
Maximum gradient: 9.4%

Equipment

  • Cycle tourism route

Additional welcome

Follow the Cols Réservés calendar: cycling enthusiasts can realize their dreams in complete safety: the climbs of mythical cols and resorts are closed to motorized traffic and reserved for cyclists in the morning. Free access, open to all, with no registration, no ranking, no start and no finish.

Environments

  • Mountain location

Itinerary

  • Distance 31km
  • Route type Round trip
  • Elevation gain 470m
  • Negative gradient 470m
  • Signposted itinerary Yes
  • Nature of the terrain Hard coating (tar, cement, flooring)
  • Maximum altitude 1762m

Opening period

Please note that the Col de l'Echelle is closed in winter.
For opening conditions, please visit http://inforoute.hautes-alpes.fr/.

Spoken languages

  • English
  • Italian

Location

Ascent of Col de l'Échelle from La Vachette
La Vachette 05100 Val-des-Prés
  • Distance 31km
  • Elevation gain 470m
  • Negative gradient 470m
  • Route type Round trip
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