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Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme

3.6
11 reviews | Elevation profile | 6 photos
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Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
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Elevation profile Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme

Statistics

Difficulty points 926
Length 21.1 km
Average gradient 6.4%
Steepest 100 metres 8.9%
Total ascent 1356 m

Short recap

27 hairpin turns
#98 toughest climb of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
#71 most elevation gain of France
#67 longest climb of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme is a climb in the region Haute Savoie. It is 21.1 km long and bridges 1356 m of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 6.4%, resulting in a difficulty score of 926. The top of the ascent is located at 1844 m above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 11 reviews of this climb and uploaded 6 photos.

Road name: Route de Flaine

4.0 by Mik__
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French.
More than 21 kms of ascent, it's worth taking the time. It's a pleasant climb, with no steep gradients and a bit of traffic at the bottom, but it calms down as soon as you pass through the villages of Arâches and Carroz. A series of beautiful switchbacks, an endless straight stretch to get your mind right and a passage under the Corblanche paravalanche take you to a superb panorama at 1844m. For the bravest, there's a descent to Flaine (a dead-end station) to add another 3.9km... read more

Photos (6)

Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme

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Reviews (11)

5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
Herve2023
9 Mo 3.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A relatively long climb on a road that was generally in good condition.
There was very little traffic in the morning at the end of July.
The gradients are not difficult and the route is pleasant. The difficulty lies mainly in the length of the climb, but you can easily pick up the pace.
No panoramic views from the pass.

Montée relativement longue sur une route globalement en bon état.
Peu de circulation le matin, fin juillet.
Les pourcentages ne sont pas difficiles et le parcours est agréable. La difficulté réside essentiellement dans la longueur de l'ascension, mais on peu aisément monter au tempo.
Pas de panorama au col.

Dashboard
Ceesbokkie
10 Mo 3.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Nice climb, definitely recommended if you're in the area. Start is tricky with fairly heavy traffic. Further on, the climb becomes more gradual and less congested in terms of traffic. The condition of the road surface is downright bad at the time of writing. Don't take any risks while descending!

Leuke klim, zeker aan te raden als je in de buurt bent. Begin is lastig met redelijk veel verkeer. Verderop wordt de klim geleidelijker en wordt het minder druk qua verkeer. De toestand van het wegdek is op het moment van schrijven ronduit slecht. Neem geen risico's tijdens het afdalen!

Dashboard
Mik__
1 y 4.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

More than 21 kms of ascent, it's worth taking the time.
It's a pleasant climb, with no steep gradients and a bit of traffic at the bottom, but it calms down as soon as you pass through the villages of Arâches and Carroz.
A series of beautiful switchbacks, an endless straight stretch to get your mind right and a passage under the Corblanche paravalanche take you to a superb panorama at 1844m.
For the bravest, there's a descent to Flaine (a dead-end station) to add another 3.9km to the 7% on the opposite side and enjoy a magnificent view of the Faucigny massif.

Plus de 21 kms d'ascension, ça justifie qu'on si attarde.
Une montée agréable, sans forts pourcentages, avec un peu de circulation dans sa partie basse mais qui se calme dès lors que l'on traverse les villages d'Arâches puis de Carroz.
De beaux lacets, une ligne droite interminable pour travailler le mental et un passage sous le paravalanche de Corblanche vous emmène dans un superbe panorama à 1844 m.
Pour les plus courageux descente sur Flaine (station en cul-de-sac) pour ajouter 3,9 kms à 7% du versant opposé et profiter d'une vue magnifique sur le massif de Faucigny.

Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme
Dashboard
benjk74
1 y 4.0 02:16:00 (9.3 km/h)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A nice, steady, long climb. The first few kilometres are direct at 8% before a little rest, before the interminable Molliets straight after Les Carroz d'Arâches (best ski resort in the world). Once past this straight, there are a few loops that are a little steep but link up well, and the last 3 kilometres are much easier. In short, it's mostly long.

Une belle montée régulière et bien longue. Les premiers kil sont direct à 8% avant un peu de repos, avant l'interminable ligne droite des Molliets après Les Carroz d'Arâches (meilleure station de ski du monde). Une fois cette ligne droite passée, quelques boucles un peu raides mais qui s'enchainent bien, les 3 derniers kils sont bcp plus faciles. Bref, c'est surtout long.

Dashboard
tperebolte
2 y 3.0 01:42:00 (12.4 km/h)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Nice even climb, not too steep. Especially after the villages around halfway, very quiet in terms of traffic towards the summit.

Mooie gelijkmatige klim, niet te steil. Zeker na de dorpjes rond de helft heel erg rustig qua verkeer richting de top.
Het is geen spectaculaire klim maar wel leuk om mee te pakken als je in de buurt bent en op zoek bent naar een lange inspanning.

Dashboard
sergenavetat
3 y 4.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A long time ago (July 2000) after a long trip to Albertville, Col des Saisies, Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière to finish with the ascent to Flaine, a long climb not very difficult except for the beginning to the village of Arâches.
The Col de la Pierre Carrée is the summit of the route before the descent to Flaine.
In July 2000 the last 5km in a snowstorm where I couldn't see at 10M, I gave up about 1 or 2km before the pass, Memories, Memories

Il y a bien longtemps ( juillet 2000 ) après un long périple Albertville, Col des Saisies, Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière pour finir par la montée de Flaine longue ascension pas très difficile à part le début jusqu'au village de Arâches.
Le col de la Pierre Carrée est le sommet de la route avant la descente sur Flaine.
En juillet 2000 les 5 derniers kilomètres sous une tempête de neige où je ne voyais pas à 10M, j'ai abandonné environ 1 ou 2 km avant le col, Souvenirs , Souvenirs

Dashboard
JEROME76
3 y 4.0 03:03:47 (6.9 km/h)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

My first mountain bike pass because no road bike in 2021, since buying a road bike and this pass is planned for 2022!
A magnificent view!! despite this suffering!

Mon premier col fait en VTT car pas de vélo route en 2021, depuis achat d'un vélo route et ce col est prévu en 2022 !!
Une vue magnifique !! malgré cette souffrance !

Dashboard
Velax
4 y 4.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

Worth the effort to try a long climb with effort management (the summit sign at 21km makes me feel a bit ...). Successful once, failed another (hypoglycemia because poorly managed). The beginning is impressive on the side of the mountain with a view over the valley. Then follows a phase where you can recover and a final that is not superhuman but that stings, especially if it is windy and the sun is shining a bit. The road is beautiful, but as a consequence some drivers try to do some hill climbing. However, it is still a long way from the motorway, whether it is a question of cars or colleagues. I will do it again next year.

Vaut le coup pour se frotter à une longue ascension avec gestion de l'effort (le panneau sommet à 21km me fait un petit effet ...). Réussi une fois, raté une autre (hypoglycémie car mal géré). Le début est impressionnant à flanc de montagne avec une vue qui se dégage sur la vallée. S'ensuit une phase où on peut récupérer puis un final qui n'a rien de "surhumain" mais qui "pique" surtout s'il y a du vent et si le soleil tape un peu. La route est belle mais en corollaire certains automobilistes s'essaient à la "course de côte". On reste toutefois très loin de l'autoroute qu'il s'agisse des voitures ou des confrères. Je referai l'année prochaine.

Dashboard
Random
Karel
7 y
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Beautiful route and easy to do. Despite the distance, I found it easy to keep up.
In the descent occasionally some worn road surface, but generally good asphalt. Highly recommended!

Mooie route en goed te doen. Ondanks de afstand,vond ik hem goed vol te houden.
Bij de afdaling af en toe wat versleten wegdek, maar over het algemeen prima asfalt. Een aanrader!

Dashboard
Random
Ruud
9 y
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

@ Marco,

Done this climb many times before, then from Saint Gervais les Bains, the only route to get there is indeed over the RN, this is perfectly doable.

@ Marco,

Deze klim al vaker gedaan, dan vanuit Saint Gervais les Bains, de enige route om er te komen is inderdaad over de RN, dit is prima te doen.

Dashboard
Random
Marco
10 y
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Who knows?

Am planning a ride from Sallanches to Flaine this summer. However, I only see the "route national" in the valley (from Sallanches actually) to get to the base of the climb.
What are the experiences here or does anyone have any advice?

Wie weet het?

Ben deze zomer van plan om een ritje te maken vanuit Sallanches naar Flaine. Echter zie ik in het dal (vanuit Sallanches eigenlijk alleen de "route national" om bij de voet van de klim te komen.
Wat zijn de ervaringen hier of heeft iemand een advies?

Dashboard

Climbing times

7 km/h 03:01:11
11 km/h 01:55:18
15 km/h 01:24:33
19 km/h 01:06:45

Road surface condition

92% 8% 0%
Based on 12 votes
Share your knowledge. What was the road condition during your ascent?

Traffic

50% 43% 7%
Based on 14 votes
Your experience counts. How much traffic did you encounter during the climb?

Frequently Asked Questions

Col de la Pierre Carrée can be cycled from 2 sides. Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme is the most popular side, but the summit can also be reached via Col de la Pierre Carrée from Flaine.

You don't need special gearing for Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme. The slope isn't long or steep enough to require much shifting down. You can conquer this climb on power alone. However, a compact gearing system with a smallest front chainring of 34 and largest rear sprocket of 28 or 30 is always nice if you enjoy cycling uphill. This helps maintain a smooth cadence.

Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme belongs to the Hors Catégorie, the top category. These are legendary and very tough climbs. A solid cycling condition, experience, and a good climbing gear ratio are essential to maintain a smooth cadence and complete the climb comfortably.

Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme is 21.1 km long.

The average gradient of Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme is 6.4%.

Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 8.9%.

The summit of Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme is at 1844 m.

At a slow pace of 7 km/h, it takes about 03:01:11 to climb Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme. At 11 km/h the time is 01:55:18, and at 15 km/h 01:24:33. For the fastest cyclists, 01:06:45 is an achievable time.

Col de la Pierre Carrée from Balme is located in the region Haute Savoie in France.

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