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La Combe from Villette

4.3
4 reviews | Elevation profile | 22 photos
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La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
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Elevation profile La Combe from Villette

Statistics

Difficulty points 1166
Length 11.2 km
Average gradient 9.8%
Steepest 100 metres 17.8%
Total ascent 1101 m

Short recap

Beautiful scenery
Hidden gem
35 hairpin turns
#50 toughest climb of France
#73 most elevation gain of Savoie
#14 average steepest climb of Savoie
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La Combe from Villette is a climb in the region Savoie. It is 11.2 km long and bridges 1101 m of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 9.8%, resulting in a difficulty score of 1166. The top of the ascent is located at 1770 m above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 4 reviews of this climb and uploaded 22 photos.

Road names: Route de la Piaz & Route Impériale

5.0 by Ejprins
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch.
This is the beauty of climbfinder normally you would never discover this climb! Beautiful climb one of the most beautiful in my experience. The start almost feels like the high veluwe pine forest the smell of pine cones slightly damp and cool. Fairy tale-like! Total tranquillity! The views are truly phenomenal. You come to a mini village where you can refill your water bottle. It keeps going up gradually until you are back in the pine forest and the % goes up. Then the feeling of am I almos... read more

Photos (22)

La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette La Combe from Villette La Combe from Villette La Combe from Villette

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Reviews (4)

5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
sergenavetat
4 d 3.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

Done with Éric on 9 July 2026.
Unlike our Dutch friends, who are obviously not from the area, I’d be a bit more measured in my comments regarding this climb up La Combe.
Firstly, it’s not a 10-star ride, as I’ve seen claimed. Admittedly, the road is quiet and you really do come across very few vehicles; theroad surface is average but it’s fine on a road bike; you’ll just need to keep your speed down on the descent as it’s quite bumpy and there are plenty of pine cones, branches and stones.
The climb begins at the bottom of Villette; then, on leaving the village, you need to turn right into the woods at the lovely picnic spot with plenty of tables in theshade; you’ll then begin the first section with lots of tight hairpin bends through a pine forest – the gradients are between 8–10 per cent but perfectly manageable.
As you climb, you’ll pass through two small hamlets (Charves and Planvillard) with two pools of fresh, drinkable water.
The main challenge begins 2.5 km from the finish, just before the magnificent series of hairpin bends shown in the photos; there is very little shade on this section, which has a sustained gradient of between 11 and 13 per cent. the hamlet of La Combe lies below the road; you pass above the rooftops of the houses, and there are then 150–200 metres left after the sign to reach the end of the tarmac section,where you’re treated to a magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains.
PS: A lovely climb, not one of the most difficult, largely in the shade, on a road in fair condition and with lovely views of the valley and the surrounding peaks.
It’s worth noting that in the hamlet of Charves, you can reach Aime by heading towards Tessens to join the D218.

Fait avec Éric le 9 juillet 2026.
Contrairement à nos amis Néerlandais qui ne sont bien évidemment pas de la région, je resterais un peu plus modéré dans mes commentaires concernant cette ascension de La Combe.
Déjà pas 10 étoiles comme j'ai pu le voir, Certes la route est calme et l'on y croise vraiment très peu de véhicules, l'état de la chaussée est moyen mais ça passe en vélo de route, simplement il faudra modéré sa vitesse dans la descente car ça secoue pas mal et il y a de nombreuses pommes de pins, branches et cailloux.
L'ascension débute en bas de Villette puis à la sortie du village il faut prendre dans les bois à droite au niveau du magnifique coin pique-nique avec beaucoup de tables à l'ombre, on entame alors une première portion avec beaucoup de lacets très rapprochés dans une forêt de sapins les pentes sont entre 8-10% mais tout à fait gérables.
Au fil de la montée il y a 2 petits hameaux ( Charves et Planvillard ) avec 2 bassins d'eau fraiche et potable.
La difficulté majeure commence à 2,5km du final juste avant le magnifique enchainement de lacets que l'on voit sur les photos, très peu d'ombre sur cette portion dans une pente soutenue entre 11 et 13%, le hameau de la combe se situe en contrebas de la route, on passe au dessus du toit des habitations et il reste alors 150-200 M après le panneau pour arriver à la fin de la partie goudronnée d'où l'on à un magnifique panorama sur les montagnes environnantes.
PS : Une belle ascension pas des plus difficiles, en grande partie à l'ombre, sur une route en état moyen et avec de belles vues sur la vallée et les sommets des environs.
À savoir que dans le hameau de Charves , il y a possibilité de rejoindre Aime en prenant la direction de Tessens pour rejoindre la D218.

La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
Dashboard
Ejprins
2 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

This is the beauty of climbfinder normally you would never discover this climb!
Beautiful climb one of the most beautiful in my experience.
The start almost feels like the high veluwe pine forest the smell of pine cones slightly damp and cool. Fairy tale-like! Total tranquillity! The views are truly phenomenal. You come to a mini village where you can refill your water bottle. It keeps going up gradually until you are back in the pine forest and the % goes up.
Then the feeling of am I almost there yet?
Dancing on the pedals you will get there! 10 stars if I could.

Dit is het mooie aan climbfinder normaal zou je nooit deze klim ontdekken!
Prachtige klim één van de mooiste is mijn ervaring.
Het begin voelt bijna als de hoge veluwe dennenbos de geur van dennenappels lichtelijk vochtig en koel. Sprookjes achtig! Totale rust! De vergezichten zijn werkelijk fenomenaal. Je komt in een mini dorpje waar je de bidon kan bijvullen. Het blijft geleidelijk omhoog gaan tot je weer in het dennenbos zit en de % omhoog gaan.
Dan begint het gevoel van ben ik er al bijna?
Doordansen op de pedalen je komt er vanzelf! 10 sterren als het kon.

La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
Dashboard
janwillemaarnink
3 y 5.0 01:06:14 (10.2 km/h)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

La Combe gives, la Combe takes.

This climb is only suitable for the real mountain goats among us. Those who cannot resist the call of the mountain and start too fast will be punished mercilessly. The heat that lingers between the incisively situated coniferous trees will kill many of us. Those with calves like balloons can temporarily hook up their cart but will be sabotaged by the slowly increasing gradients. Dreams of small climbers with ambitions are crushed as the last kilometre continues to unfold with gentle slaps. Once at the top, La Combe gilds the conqueror with pride and a picturesque mountain stream for the much-coveted refreshment. Those with skin that does not have a close relationship with the sun can take a seat in a picturesque French country shed.

The descent heats up the brakes so much that your equipment and concentration must be in excellent condition to be able to leave the mountain physically unscathed.

You have conquered La Combe. But the mountain will not let you go. La Combe will not let you go. Never again...

La Combe geeft, la Combe neemt.

Deze klim is slechts geschikt voor de echte berggeiten onder ons. Zij die de lokroep van de berg niet kunnen weer staan en te hard beginnen zullen genadeloos worden afgestraft. De hitte die blijft hangen tussen de snedig gesitueerde naaldbomen doen menig een van ons de das om. Zij met kuiten als ballonnen kunnen hun karretje tijdelijk aanhaken maar worden neergesabeld door de langzaam oplopende stijgingspercentages. Dromen van kleine klimmers met ambities worden vermorzeld als de laatste kilometer zich met gedweeë klappen blijft verlengen. Eenmaal bovengekomen verguld La Combe de bedwinger met trots en een schilderachtig bergbeekje voor de zo begeerde verkoeling. Zij met een huid die geen innige band met de zon onderhouden kunnen plaatsnemen in een pittoresk Frans plattelands schuurtje.

De afdaling doet de remmen dermate verhitten dat de je materiaal en concentratie in uitstekende conditie moeten verkeren om de berg fysiek ongeschonden te kunnen verlaten.

Je hebt de La Combe bedwongen. Maar de berg laat je niet gaan. La Combe laat je niet los. Nooit meer..

La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
La Combe from Villette
Dashboard
Niels1987
4 y 4.0 01:13:45 (9.1 km/h)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

A beautiful, rough, dead-end climb to the hamlet of La Combe. In Villette, a village just before Aime, the climb is already quite steep and the percentages are already in the double digits. Just before the camping la Gliere, it gets a little easier. Then begins the typical piece in the woods with many hairpin bends in quick succession. A nice piece and I estimate about 8 percent, so good to do in a rhythm. The road surface is fine, expect some rough patches and pine cones on the road, but doable with a road bike. In the village of Charves you keep left. The inhabitants have decided to put gravel on the road, so be careful, especially when descending! Just after Charves the gravel is gone. Then comes the last part, this is the best and toughest part of the climb. I call this part the amphitheater. Here is another piece with short hairpin bends. Then drive along the top around towards La Combe and you have an incredibly beautiful view of the hairpins down there. In my case there was a huge dog, protecting the sheep against wolves, but also against me. Fortunately it only barked and walked a bit with me. Shortly afterwards you reach la Combe, at about 1750-1770m altitude. Here the road is also unpaved.

Een hele mooie, ruige, doodlopende klim naar het gehucht La Combe. In Villette, een dorpje vlak voor Aime, loopt het al aardig flink omhoog en zijn de percentages al in de dubbele cijfers. Vlak voor de camping la Gliere, word het even iets makkelijker. Dan begint het typische stuk in het bos met erg veel haarspeldbochten kort op elkaar. Een leuk stuk en ik schat een procent of 8, dus prima in een ritme te doen. Het wegdek is prima, verwacht wat ruwe stukken en dennenappels op de weg, maar prima te doen met de racefiets. In het dorpje Charves houd je links aan. De bewoners hebben besloten hier grind op de weg te strooien, dus opgepast, zeker bij afdalen! Vlak na Charves is het grind gelukkig weg. Dan komt het laatste stuk, dit is het mooiste en pittigste stuk van de klim. In noem dit stuk het amfitheater. Hier zit weer een stuk met kort op elkaar gelegen haarspeldbochten. Daarna rijd hier bovenlangs omheen richting la Combe en heb je een onwijs mooi uitzicht op de haarspeldbochten daar beneden. In mijn geval zat hier een enorm grote hond, die de schapen beschermt tegen wolven, maar ook tegen mij tekeer ging. Gelukkig bleef het bij blaffen en een stukje meelopen. Vlak daarna bereik je la Combe, op zo'n 1750-1770m hoogte. Hier word de weg ook ongeasfalteerd.

Dashboard

Climbing times

7 km/h 01:36:21
11 km/h 01:01:19
15 km/h 00:44:58
19 km/h 00:35:30

Road surface condition

33% 17% 50%
Based on 6 votes
Share your knowledge. What was the road condition during your ascent?

Traffic

100% 0% 0%
Based on 6 votes
Your experience counts. How much traffic did you encounter during the climb?

Frequently Asked Questions

La Combe from Villette is a challenging ascent. For this type of climbing, we recommend mountain gearing, specifically a compact system. This means a small front chainring of 34 teeth, combined with a rear cassette where, depending on your level, strength, and experience, you choose a sprocket with 30, 32, or even 34 teeth. Remember that a smooth cadence is always more efficient!

La Combe from Villette 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.

La Combe from Villette is 11.2 km long.

The average gradient of La Combe from Villette is 9.8%.

La Combe from Villette has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 17.8%.

The summit of La Combe from Villette is at 1770 m.

At a slow pace of 7 km/h, it takes about 01:36:21 to climb La Combe from Villette. At 11 km/h the time is 01:01:19, and at 15 km/h 00:44:58. For the fastest cyclists, 00:35:30 is an achievable time.

La Combe from Villette is located in the region Savoie in France.

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