Col d’Evosges and Jura Col Hunting

First, let me just say that Col d’Evosges was a revelation. It’s an amazing climb.

The Eleventh Great Ride of the Year

On a nice early spring day, it seemed the perfect time for a little Col hunting in the Haute Juras. Five small Cols that I had never visited before.

Starting from Ceignes, I descended the D1084 (the missing part from the map below). A fun, cliff road that leads to the gigantic French Resistance memorial: “Monument aux Morts du Maquisde l’Ain et du Haut-Jura” .

The rest of the route is on quiet roads. First turning right and up at Pont de Préau through a gorge for a long climb to Col de Montratier (alt. 500m, no sign) and then continuing higher to Col du Cendrier (793m).

This is the middle of no-where. Fantastic. Next is a long, winding descent — passing Col du Nivolet, all the way to St-Rambert-en-Bugey (poor old St. Rambert was killed here in the 7th century).

St-Rambert is below 300 metres. And after a couple of kilometres down low surrounded by cliffs, the route turns back up towards Col d’Evosges.

Col d’Evosges must be the nicest climb I have ever done at such a low altitude. Still, at 758 metres, it is still 500 metres of ascent.

After a couple kilometres up through a forest, a huge ampitheatre of cliffs open up above. And the Col is directly over the top!

A nice cemetry in Oncieu, and a view of the Col high above.

Second last hairpin (the top hairpin is the photo at the beginning).

After the Col the route gets easier for a while along the Plateau, finally turning onto another quiet forest route for a very nice short climb over Col du Sappel — and then a quick descent to the finish.

I was on a mountain bike. A couple of time my GPS took me on unnecessary short cuts on unnecessary unpaved trails. If you plan on riding the loop, map carefully or drop me a line.

I always enjoy a good col hunting ride! Click the Col hunting tag below for more similar rides.