Beautiful scenery |
18 hairpin turns |
#58 toughest climb of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
#97 most elevation gain of French Alps |
#92 longest climb of France |
#86 average steepest climb of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence |
La Montagne de Lure from Valbelle is a climb in the region Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. It is 23.8km long and bridges 1198 vertical meters with an average gradient of 5%, resulting in a difficulty score of 691. The top of the ascent is located at 1746 meters above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 5 reviews of this climb and uploaded 11 photos.
Road name: D53
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I like to think this as a 'sister' climb to Ventoux - on the same chain of mountains, one end the Giant of Provence, the other there is this one with it's white summit and radio masts. On Google maps you can see just how dramatic the mountain is, a huge gouge in the rock through which you climb
The climb starts from a side road with a sign saying if it's closed or open (I did it in August, so no snow), where you can see the summit clearly in the far distance. It's a steady rise as you pass some small clusters of houses and then it just goes into forest and numerous bends and twists; it's a long climb but the main 'event' of the climb are the three hairpins that are at the end of arrow-straight, 2km sections, the toughest climbing of the whole ascent at around 7%. You can see small glimpses of the Alps in the distance through the trees.
You come out of the first at the Pas De Graille and then you snake along the top of the mountain, as it gets rocky and dusty to a plain summit with a sign. It was hazy on the day I rode it but have seen it written you can see Ventoux on a clear day.
I drove 1hr from Groux Le Bains to do this climb and it was totally worth it, my first ever 'big' mountain and one I'd build into a ride here if I visited again.
Starting just north from Sisteron at 39°C, I biked on a rented Nakamura bike (Intersport Sisteron, €35) to Valbelle and to Montagne de Lure, and back (+/- 85 km). The heat probably played a role and I wasn't completely happy and comfortable on my bike, but I feel this is a deceptively tough climb, which made me suffer way harder than expected. Mainly in the forest, only after reaching Pas de la Graille you'll have nice views. No amenities.
The day I found out that cycling with luggage is not easy. I got off the bike bus in Bollene with a far too heavy Bob behind my racing bike. From Valbelle (after a too long ride from Bollene) it would only be a short distance uphill to the gite. A bit up the Montagne de Lure. Then it started to thunder. And the gite/manege turned out to be almost at the top.
Later on I rode it again without luggage in good weather. Nice climb with wild strawberries. From here I went to Simiane la Rotonde and Bedoin for my first Ventoux. Much calmer than the circus that the Ventoux has become.
De dag dat ik erachter kwam dat fietsen met bepakking niet eenvoudig is. In Bollene uit de fietsbus gestapt met een veel te zware Bob achter de racefiets. Vanuit Valbelle (na een te lange rit vanuit Bollene) zou het maar een klein stukje omhoog zijn naar de gite. Stukje de Montagne de Lure op. Toen begon het te onweren. En bleek de gite/manege bijna boven te zijn.
Later nog eens gereden zonder bepakking in goed weer. Mooie klim met bosaardbeien. Van hieruit naar Simiane la Rotonde en Bedoin gereden voor mijn eerste Ventoux. Veel rustiger dan het circus dat de Ventoux is geworden.
Lovely climb through dead quiet woods. Not very steep, so you can talk quietly upwards. Quite a distance, so don't underestimate this climb.
Heerlijke klim door doodstille bossen. Niet erg steil, daardoor kun je rustig pratend omhoog. Wel een flinke afstand, dus onderschat deze klim niet.
Nice climb, not too difficult because there are no super steep parts, but do not be surprised because the kilometers are quite large. Do not stop a the col de pas de la graille but continue until the top of the montagne de lure. By foot or with mtb you can still along the gravel track to the masts for a practical view.
Mooie klim, niet te lastig daar er geen super stijle stukken inzitten, maar verkijk u zeker niet want de kilometers lopen wel flink op. Niet stoppen een de col de pas de la graille maar doorrijden tot bovenop de montagne de lure. Te voet of met mtb kan je dan nog langs het grindbaantje tot aan de zendmasten voor een practhtig zicht.
7 km/h | 03:24:15 |
11 km/h | 02:09:58 |
15 km/h | 01:35:19 |
19 km/h | 01:15:15 |