Not well known, this fabulous climb to Plateau de Solaison is next to Tour de France regular: Col de la Colombière.
It’s a dead end, which helps explain why it has never been used by the Tour, but it will appear in the 2014 Tour de l’Avenir. Ignoring the first and last kilometres, the middle 11 kilometres average 9% – it’s steep.
The climb starts near the little village of Thuet. North facing, this climb gets little sun in winter and it can be extremely cold. An old snow post here.
From the Autoroute, I always glance at the great cliff road about 4 kms up.
These early kilometres are tough.
The road reaches Plateau de Solaison after 12 kilometres. The summit sign and a restaurant are here – it is also the Cross Country Ski hut in winter. But for the geographic Col de Solaison, continue for approximately one kilometre. The paved road ends at the col sign – see map below.
I climbed faster than usual and was feeling pleased. But when I turned around at the summit, I realized I had enjoyed a strong tailwind. 🙂
I descended on a slightly different route through the Gorges du Bronze (labeled on map). This is a great little road winding up a tight gorge. Well worth climbing too.
I was just looking for a quick up/down ride, but one could combine this climb with other nearby roads. For example: Colombière, Plateau d’Andey, Col du Cenise, etc.
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3 Comments
Hi Will,
I will be in the area of Cluses with my car and roadbike for 2 days in a months time and would like to ask you for recommendations on some of the climbs nearby. I have a full list, which includes Glieres, Cenise, Plateau de Solaison, Plateau d’Andey, Col des Annes. But I only have two days and can’t do all these climbs as my legs would be too tired (am going to Aime-Moutiers area after these days to climb some more there). I like a challenge, so steep climbs are great, but would also like to do some beautiful climbs in terms of scenery. Which climbs would you recommend in that case?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
Hi Niels,
Hmmm Cluses?
I’d maybe do a Glières loop. Climb one side and descend the other, crossing the 2 kms of good gravel at top. Lots of history and a beautiful climb. If interested can stop at the tiny museums at summit.
But closer to Cluses:
Starting exactly at Cluses is Col de la Colombière which is in the Tour this year. If you don’t know it, the TdF is climbing via Romme. Very tough.
I like Flaine (Col de Pierre Carrée) which starts just down the road from Cluses. It’s the highest paved road in Haute Savoie. The top half is very quiet and nice. And if not too tired, you can descend 3 or 4 kms down far side to Flaine and then return.
Hope that helps,
Happy to help you map any rides.
Hi Will
Great insight as ever.
Did the col today. Arguably tougher than the col du Romme, though straight back down again helps.
Amazing views on the toughest section, if you can look up from your stem.
Worth mentioning that there are limited places to get water so stock up somewhere downhill.
The TDF 2021 route is still very much in evidence, including a terrifyingly fast downhill into the start of the Col Du Romme.
Keep up the good work
Alastair