Col de la Madeleine – Itinéraires pour vélo de route en Maurienne

A single ascent that is "only" 20 kilometers long, is it worth it? The answer to this question can only be: absolutely! On this tour there is actually only this one ascent in front of you, but the 1,520 meters in altitude to the pass are really quite a chunk. So it's no wonder that countless testimonials from many hobby racing cyclists, but also various prominent Tour de France riders such as Lance Armstrong and Tony Rominger, report a true love-hate relationship with this climb.

It starts off really well: shortly after the start in La Chambre, a gentle warm-up is the order of the day. But after the first switchbacks, the ascent picks up noticeably and you will have to pedal properly. From now on it remains evenly steep. It's demanding, but easy to calculate, so that you can find your rhythm and slowly screw your way up. It is also really beautiful here: It is worthwhile to look from the low-traffic side street to the beautiful mountain landscape all around. In this way, the altitude meters melt away almost with pleasure.

Before you start your final spurt on the pass, you will reach Longchamp. Here you can take a short break, fill up your supplies or treat yourself to refreshment in a café before you hike the last few meters to the Col de la Madeleine. On another five kilometers the road hits a few more hooks, but then you've made it: the highest point of the tour has been reached!

On the Col de la Madeleine you can stop off at an altitude of 2,000 meters and treat yourself to a reward after your athletic performance. Now it is up to you in which direction you start the descent. If you continue, you will reach Notre-Dame-de-Briançon, where the TER regional train operates. Or you can whiz back to your starting point in the opposite direction. In any case: put on your windbreaker and have fun!