Top 6 Mountain Passes around Chaudon-Norante

The southern slope, from Chaudon-Norante, is advertised at an average gradient of 6.6% for a length of about 8km. But the road has 4 or 5 flat sections over 150 or 200m, which means that in reality we are very often on slopes between 8 and 10%. This pass nevertheless remains accessible to any moderately trained cyclist and, the icing on the cake, it is reserved for cyclists at certain times during the summer. The view at the summit is magnificent.

Beautiful landscape, small road, only the last bends are strenuous.

This pass is 1,065 meters above sea level, on the way to Corobin Pass. From Digne-les-Bains, the 7.6 kilometer climb includes portions between 5 and 9.5%, enough to tickle your legs.

A pass located at an altitude of 1065m near the Col du Corobin in the direction of Digne-les-Bains.

The Col de Corobin from Chaudon-Norante is a climb in the Alpes de Haute Provence region. It has a length of 7.7 kilometers and an ascent of 535 vertical meters with an average gradient of 7%, which implies a difficulty level of 413. The top of the ascent is located at 1,220 meters above sea level. On the other hand, from Digne-les-Bains via Col de Pierre Basse, it is 14.6 kilometers long and climbs 650 vertical meters with an average gradient of 4.4%, which implies a difficulty level of 448.

The Col de l'Orme peaks at 734m. This pass is really simple, especially from the baths despite its 9km climb. To put it simply, this pass has an average of not even 3%. The big downside is that it's a road pass located on the RN 85 and it's very busy so don't linger too long at the top, there's not much to see...

The Corobin pass peaks at 1,211 meters. From Digne-les-Bains a fairly long slope of almost 16 kilometers awaits you. The first eight are pretty straightforward. You will cross the intermediate Col des Abeilles (710 meters). Secondly, you will see the slope steepen quite significantly over 3.3 kilometers at almost 9% on average to reach the second intermediate pass, that of Pierre Basse (1,065 meters). Arriving at this pass, take the time to breathe, a flat area then a slight descent over three kilometers towards the hamlet of La Clappe will help you. Then, return to the attack for 1.4 kilometers at an 8% average, taking the eight bends which will allow you to cross the summit of the Col du Corobin.

On the western slope, after going up the long Asse de Clumanc Valley from Barrême, the difficulties really begin in Tartonne with a first ramp of 1.5 km at 6.5%. Then after a small flat area comes a nice final of 2.6 km where the slope will be around 7%. On this side you can see one of Andy Goldsworthy's sentinels, an ovoid-shaped cairn placed at the side of the road as part of an artistic trail created by this renowned artist practicing land art. On the eastern slope, nothing very complicated until Lambruisse with 5 km where the hardest passage will not exceed 4.5%. On the other hand, things become tougher with the final including 1.8 km at 6.5% on average, but the last 350 meters are at 8.5%. The road is very beautiful and quiet on both sides. This pass is enchanting.