Cols Cayolle, Champs, and Allos
By Will • Jul 19th, 2012 • Category: Climbs, Cycling
The quintessential south Alps loop. Three beautiful, long, not-crazy-hard Cols – all above 2000 metres. Approximately 120 kms and 3500 metres of climbing.
From Barcelonnette, I started with the Col de la Cayolle. Not the hardest climb, but almost 30 kms long and a scenic, easy start through a lovely narrow gorge to warm up the legs.
It gets a little steeper for the last few kilometres as one climbs out of the gorge. This was the first time I’d seen the other side – wow! Amazing hairpins and cliff roads, I didn’t get any good photos, but a real highlight of the loop.
There is a drinks chalet one kilometre from the summit of Cayolle. If you are thirsty stop there as there is nothing at the summit or until well down the descent.
After a super fun descent I turned right to climb Col des Champs. Note, early in the climb the road splits – both ways go to the Col – but turn right following “Colmar via Col des Champs” for the “classic” route.
The early slopes are nothing special, but once the road gets above the tree-line it’s a superb, hairpinned route.
Again, if you want a drink, the last restaurant is roughly 9 kms from summit.
The descent is in a different French department, and the surface is awful. Very bumpy. I should have climbed this side.
Which is the best direction for this loop? Without a doubt, counter-clockwise – opposite of my choice. This climbs the more beautiful side of Allos, the bumpier side of Champs, and the cliff-road side of Cayolle. Next time 
The south side of Col d’Allos starts out very easily, and has a little traffic as the road approaches the ski station of Allos. The fun part of this side is the last 5kms above the final ski-village. I had a dog follow me up for the first 4 kms – which was a little alarming but he seemed happy.
See little pic of yellow sign above – The top part of Allos is closed to cars every friday morning in the summer – nice.
I had a beer at the top and then thoroughly enjoyed the amazing cliff-road descent into Barcelonnette. I love the north side of Allos – details of climb here.
This loop was hard work for me, but so it was so rewarding to complete it. Some time in the future I’ll have to try and survive it again in the opposite direction.
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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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You’re a cycling MACHINE!!!
I can see you’re having lots of fun – awesome!
Love,
Jelly
Nice one Will!
We did the reverse loop three weeks ago, great riding!!
Regards,
AMR
Well done Alberto,
and you chose the better direction
Did the reverse loop on september 22 with a group of 6 from the states, thanks for all the info on your site. I would add that there is NO FLAT on this route, my type of fun but not for every rider. the car park at colmars is great and safe place to start
Well done Mark. Ha, yes it’s either up or down this entire loop.
[...] Full details here. [...]
[...] Col des Allos – south side – is closed every Friday morning throughout the summer. [...]