Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis

Difficulty points	931
Length	8.8 mi
Average gradient	7.7%
Steepest segment	11.4%
Total ascent	3570 ft

Reviews (10)

5.0

4.0

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2.0

1.0

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Cromagnon ^premium

9 Mo 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

This foray into the Parc de La Vanoise is a real treat!
The landscapes are incredibly varied. There's never a dull moment. Landscapes that are both powerful and subtle. Chiseled, arrogant shapes rub shoulders with soft, delicate curves.
It's a serious climb. The kilometres at 9％ are making themselves felt. There's a flat spot and even a little descent that puts the mechanics back in place or breaks the rhythm...
The road isn't absolutely perfect but that's what makes the descent magical. The bends are sometimes wide, sometimes tight. The old abandoned farms are touching. The cheese factory between the dreadful car park and the Plan du Lac is a must. The vegetation is beautiful and again very diverse. The views of the glaciers are with us all the way.
There's so much to say about this climb, which deserved a more exciting name!
I loved climbing it. I loved descending it.
Definitely worth doing.

GB44

9 Mo 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

Superb climb with magnificent views and a sublime finish with the lake to finish. The only downside is the number of flies in the forest that chase you for a long section of the climb.

JACKB

11 Mo 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

Tuesday 17 June 2025 morning, car parked at the entrance to Termignon, after the Télégraphe/Galibier 2 days before and the Iseran the day before where I had a bit of a hard time...now it was better for this superb climb, with the first part in the shade given the time of day and in the forest, where the 9％ passages are numerous, a touch of 10％. At the bottom 3 patous did the job, barking a bit but staying behind the fence...(at least well behaved dogs...).
And a second, less strenuous section that leads into the mountain pastures.
When I reached the car park, I continued on to the little lake and the refuge, and then, out of desire and curiosity, I continued 2.8 km downhill, after taking advice from the friendly Parc de la Vanoise employee in the car (a former elite and neo-pro cyclist), to whom I signalled to stop.
Then after 2kms, having stopped to take a photo, I had the pleasure of meeting the cyclist who was coming up to me... surprise! Romain Bardet's dad, who was still in the area after the end of his son's career 2 days before at Mt Cenis...
We continued downhill for another 800 metres, then turned around and of course I was the most out of breath on the way back to the plateau! The precarious condition we were in ten days ago is slowly improving...
The climb had very little traffic, so at least there were no motorbike noises! Superb scenery under a cloudless blue sky, a temperature of 10 degrees at the start, no overheating...
A must-do!

pierre81

1 y 5.0 01:22:00 (6.4 mph)

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A superb climb that combines difficulty, calm and sumptuous scenery. Unlike most climbs, the most difficult kilometres are at the start, when your legs are still fresh. The higher you go, the better the road. The start of the climb is in the woods, with little traffic, before becoming more exposed from the flat. You can go as far as the refuge du plan du lac by skirting the lake; the road seems to continue but is in poor condition (I haven't ventured down it). Take care on the descent, as the steepest parts are not very good. A discreet descent, relatively unknown but not to be missed!

christine ^premium

2 y 5.0

beautiful climb passing fields of wild flowers, through pine forest, to above the treeline with next-to- cliff-edge road! Belcombe car park is a wide, dull area- you must continue up the paved narrow path to lake Blanc above the car park and beyond this climbfinder segment- steep first 100m then it flattens out. magical frozen lake under a blanket of snow today! (2/6/2024) quiet roads, no one around, a few parked cars… magnificent! road lower half ok not great but upper half quite good. a constant 9-10％ with downhill bit at 5k to go.

FrostyRemo ^premium

2 y 5.0

A quiet road leaves Val Cenis and winds it’s way up to a remote Alpine environment. Riding in early June, the Lake was still frozen with snow banks either side of the road. Although not a « Col « as such, it’s a spectacular ride.

weakneck

3 y 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Beautiful, quiet climb. At the parking/Auberge Bellecombe continue cycling on a narrow road without cars until past Refuge Plan du Lac over a plateau with beautiful views, lakes and marmots!

Laur

3 y 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

I had left to climb the mont cenis full ball and while coming back I fall on a local who says to me " the iseran, it is for the tourists, there is a rise the plan of the lake, nobody goes there and that one, it is hard "
Here I am, off to the assault of this famous climb of the plan du lac (the day before, I had still done the tourist, climbing the iseran)
I leave from Val Cenis, I turn and there it is gone and it starts strong, the asphalt is disgusting on the other hand there is nobody and I understood later why.
It is necessary to be in form on the first 8 kilometres after there are replats and a final arrival on a dead end, there is a refuge, small council take a little money with you, me I paid me a good beer with the refuge, seen the world which there was there, I had to be lucky not to have to go to the next one;I had to be lucky to see almost no cars (I left in the afternoon), the climb was interesting because it was completely irregular, I loved it but at the same time the guy had scared me so much that I found the climb really nice

Saliteinbici ^premium

3 y 5.0

Wild and quiet climb, first half with shade.
Beautiful views on glaciers at top, fresh water, a small lake right after top parking. One of the best places I ever climbed to.

Kevin ^premium

4 y 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

In June 2021 I conquered this unknown, but magnificent climb. This is not an easy climb with long stretches at double percentages. It is, however, quiet cycling through a beautiful landscape. Make sure you have enough supplies, because there is hardly anything along the way. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with an amazing 360 degree panorama and it is pleasant to linger at the refuge. Do not miss this one!

Climbing times

5 mph	01:45:45
7 mph	01:14:52
9 mph	00:58:20
12 mph	00:43:50

Road surface condition

38% 63% 0%

Based on 8 votes

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Traffic

100% 0% 0%

Based on 8 votes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis 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!

Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis 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.

Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis is 8.8 mi long.

The average gradient of Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis is 7.7%.

Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 11.4%.

The summit of Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis is at 7772 ft.

At a slow pace of 5 mph, it takes about 01:45:45 to climb Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis. At 7 mph the time is 01:14:52, and at 9 mph 00:58:20. For the fastest cyclists, 00:43:50 is an achievable time.

Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis is located in the region Savoie in France.

Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis

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Short recap

Photos (36)

Reviews (10)

Climbing times

Road surface condition

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis

Statistics

Short recap

Photos (36)

Reviews (10)

Climbing times

Road surface condition

Traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

What gearing is needed for Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis?

How difficult is the Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis?

How long is the climb up Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis?

What is the gradient of Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis?

What is the steepest part of Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis?

How high is Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis?

How long does it take to cycle up Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis?

Where is Bellecombe / Plan du Lac from Val Cenis located?