The most difficult ascent of the giant!
The Col du Grand-Colombier (1501 m), classified as a non-category climb, is considered by cyclists to be one of the most difficult in France.
To the west, the ascent via the route d'Artemare and then via Virieu-le-Petit is the most difficult, with a 15 km profile at 7.8% for 1,246 m of ascent.
The first part of the ascent takes place in the middle of fields, with gradients of around 5%, a few more rolling sections and a few 7% sections. After more than 7 km of ascent to Virieu-le-Petit, the difficulty suddenly increases. We begin a 4.4 km forest section at over 12%, including a short section at 22%. At "La Selle" (1,176 m), this route joins less difficult variants for a kilometer before a new difficulty and severe gradients, close to 10% for the final three kilometers.
At the summit: 360° panoramic views of the Alps, Belledonne, Mont-Blanc, Bugey, Rhône and 3 Alpine lakes (Lac du Bourget, Lac d'Annecy and Lac du Léman).
To the west, the ascent via the route d'Artemare and then via Virieu-le-Petit is the most difficult, with a 15 km profile at 7.8% for 1,246 m of ascent.
The first part of the ascent takes place in the middle of fields, with gradients of around 5%, a few more rolling sections and a few 7% sections. After more than 7 km of ascent to Virieu-le-Petit, the difficulty suddenly increases. We begin a 4.4 km forest section at over 12%, including a short section at 22%. At "La Selle" (1,176 m), this route joins less difficult variants for a kilometer before a new difficulty and severe gradients, close to 10% for the final three kilometers.
At the summit: 360° panoramic views of the Alps, Belledonne, Mont-Blanc, Bugey, Rhône and 3 Alpine lakes (Lac du Bourget, Lac d'Annecy and Lac du Léman).
Plain text period
From 01/05 to 31/10.Subject to favorable weather.
