Col de la Madeleine via Col du Chaussy
By Will • Nov 28th, 2011 • Category: Climbs, CyclingNote: if you are looking a 2012 Stage 11 Preview of Madeleine – click here.
My first “trip” to a climb in 6 months. I decided to treat myself with something special. This “secret” back road to
Col de la Madeleine is as good as it gets. Vaguely shocking that Madeleine is ride-able in late November (although the road is officially closed).
I seriously bonked – but with a smile – on the last two kms to Madeleine. Almost 2000 metres ascent was nearly a climb too far on my “comeback” (I’m not even strong when I’m fit).
The Report
I started by climbing the “Lacets de Montvernier” – hairpins of Montvernier – one of the funnest, little known stretches of hairpins in France.
It is impossible to photo all the hairpins while cycling them or even above them. To get this photo, after reaching the church in the photo, I turned right and rode the bike over some fields to a path and hung over a cliff – scary!. Perhaps why there aren’t that many pics out there from this angle?
It’s a fun, narrow, silly road but it’s only the beginning. Col du Chaussy is a difficult climb of over 1000 metres of ascent with some very steep stretches. The Lacets are only about 20% of the climb just to Chaussy, let alone to Madeleine.
Next at Montpascal if you look up at the mountain you can see the cliff road high above. It looks improbable that there is a road up there. And once you get up there it is just as impressive:
After the cliff stretch there is still some hard work, up long winding hairpins – lovely stuff. It was just me and various sheep crossing the road at various points – and eventually Col du Chaussy.
After a small descent, the route turns up towards Lac du Loup (wolf lake). It’s a wonderful long stretch along near deserted road through high alpine pastures.
The other side of Col du Chaussy has been recently paved. You could certainly climb it with a road bike and then descend on a paved route that joins the famous Madeleine route after a long descent. Unfortunately, the more direct route to Madeleine that I took via Lac du Loup soon becomes unpaved.
The last stretches of this route are tough but with views to die for:
View back towards Col du Chaussy nearing La Grolle before crossing over into the valley with Col de la Madeleine:
As the route crosses into the next valley above La Grolle (1800 metres) it joins a gravel road above St Francois-Longchamps ski station. After a couple of ridge kilometres I descended through the ski slopes and joined the famous Col de la Madeleine route at the second last hairpin (which is still 2kms and 200 tough metres ascent below the summit) – where I proceeded to seriously bonk. 
But I was so close that I wasn’t too worried. Very occasionally a bonk can be almost enjoyed. I was near the finish of a great climb.
How ridiculous (and great?) is it that Col de la Madeleine can be cycled in late November? But yes, the late afternoon descent was freezing (four layers and double gloved)!
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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2013 Challenge is to cycle a 150 Cols (mountain passes), slowly -- and to just enjoy.
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Very proud of your huge excursion!! But you don’t mention all the stuff you forgot?!
So happy to see you cycling again.
Love,
Jelly
as my lovely wife points out, I arrived at the base of the climb and had forgotten a spare tire, a pump, gloves (essential now), and a jacket over the layers I was wearing (luckily I found a sport shop near the start).
I guess I was too excited.
Wow, that’s what I call committment, hanging over the edge of a cliff to get this magnificent shot of this amazing climb. You should get an award for this. It makes me all giddy with excitement. What a timely post, too. I just signed up for L’Etape next July. I’m keen to get more info on La Madeleine! Did you ride up the same route that the tour will take next year?
Dear Groover,
That’s fantastic.
The Etape is a great route next year.
Here’s some info:
1. Here’s the side of Madeleine that you will climb (it’s a giant):
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/col-de-la-madeleine-and-my-new-professional-photographer/
Your descent I did today (see map): 40 hairpins and lots of steep fast straight stuff leading into them – especially the lower half. Very, very tricky. But not the Montvernier stuff (too nuts for racing).
2. Col du Glandon next is one of my very favourite climbs:
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/col-du-glandon-short-video/
Col de la Croix de Fer is a 2.5 km continuation from Glandon (see post).
3. Your route climbs the easy side of Mollard and then descends it’s crazy hairpins. The lower half is full of turns maybe only 150 metres apart
I’ve only climbed it …. but you’ll get the idea:
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/col-de-la-croix-de-fer-via-col-du-mollard/
4. Finally, La Toussuire will actually share the early slopes of Croix de Fer and then turn off. My best link: I climbed croix de Fer then turned back to do La Toussuire. But in my post I put the entire profile of La Toussuire. (there are two choices near the top, but it is close enough)
Hope that helps. Happy to answer questions
It will be a great but very challenging day for you!
Thanks so much, Will! This info is invaluable! I’ll have to digest all this but it looks like I’ve got my training cut out for me over the next few months. Glad it’s summer here and I can get some solid k’s in my legs.
So exciting!
good, again, I am glad that estes of return and hoping that all the problems solved, from the distance missed the power flying the imagination with your adventures, greetings
A fantastic ride and report. I just can’t imagine how you would feel after such a long enforced time off the bike. I haven’t been for a ride for 2 days and am getting all twitchy!
I have put this route on my to do list when I’m over in Europe this winter “our winter”. I’m hanging out for some cols as we didn’t make it to Europe this year.
Thanks for all your brilliant posts, they keep me inspired.
Take care
Brian
That first photo is a masterpiece!!!
Congratulations, and glad to see you are enjoying this fantastic November!
Is that your house at the top of all the hairpins lol
Wow. Seriously inspiring.
Will, Good to see you back out on the road. You know this won’t be a secret for ever with your following
Pete
Wow, Will, these are the insiders tips i am looking for. This hairpin road looks spectacular. This Col du Chaussy is now on the bucket list.
Will i really enjoy your site.
Keep on going,
William
[...] Details of the south side of Madeleine here and details of the extra fun 3rd way up via Col du Chaussy click here. [...]
[...] There is an even better “4th” way, but it requires a mountain bike or hybrid. Still, the route via the amazing Lacets de Montvernier, Col du Chaussy, and Lac du Loup is beyond memorable. See here. [...]