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Col de l'Épine from Novalaise

2
3.8
10 reviews | Elevation profile | 9 photos
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
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Elevation profile Col de l'Épine from Novalaise

Statistics

Difficulty points 440
Length 4.9 mi
Average gradient 7.1%
Steepest segment 10%
Total ascent 1831 ft

Short recap

Famous climb
4 hairpin turns
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Col de l'Épine from Novalaise is a climb in the region Savoie. It is 4.9 mi long and bridges 1831 ft of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 7.1%, resulting in a difficulty score of 440. The top of the ascent is located at 3238 ft above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 10 reviews of this climb and uploaded 9 photos.

Road names: D916, Route du Col de l'Epine

4.0 by SbastienZ
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French.
A really, really fun climb with a narrow road and a magnificent view below. After 2 kilometers, you enter a forest, and from there on, the gradients are steep and consistent, around 8 or 9%.... read more

Photos (9)

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
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Reviews (10)

5.0
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SbastienZ
SbastienZ
6 h 4.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A really, really fun climb with a narrow road and a magnificent view below. After 2 kilometers, you enter a forest, and from there on, the gradients are steep and consistent, around 8 or 9%.

Montée vraiment hyper sympa avec une route étroite et une vue magnifique en contrebas. Après 2 kilomètres on entre dans une forêt et c'est à partir de là que les pourcentages sont soutenus et réguliers autour de 8 ou 9％.

Dashboard
L
L
8 h 4.0 via the Climbfinder app
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

A nice climb for beginners—a bit challenging, but with a great view👍

Mooie klim voor beginners beetje zwaar maar wel mooi uitzicht👍

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Dashboard
SbastienZ
SbastienZ
3 d 4.0 via the Climbfinder app
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A very beautiful climb on a good, narrow road; after 2 km, it heads into the forest. There are lovely views of the lake. The climb isn’t steep, nor is the last kilometer. So there are 4 or 5 km that are fairly steep—around an 8% grade—but it’s not too hard either.

Très belle montée sur une route bonne et étroite, après 2km ça ce fait en forêt. Il y a de jolies vus sur le lac. Le pied n'est pas raide, ni le dernier km. Il y a donc 4 ou 5 km assez raide autour de 8% mais ce n'est pas trop dure non plus.

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Dashboard
Benjamin
Benjamin
6 d 2.0 via the Climbfinder app
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A rather surprising climb at first—there’s not much of an ascent, but once you pass through the forest, the road gets steeper, with gradients of 7 to 9 percent. And let’s not forget the superb view of Lake Aiguebellette halfway up. The stretch through the forest reminds me of Mont du Chat, which isn’t far away, by the way.

Col assez surprenant au début on grimpe peu mais passé la forêt la route se cabre on a du 7a 9% . N'oublions pas le superbe point de vue sur le lac d'Aiguebellette a mi monté. Le passage dans la forêt me fait penser au mont du chat qui n'est pas loin d'ailleurs.

Dashboard
Ype
Ype
11 Mo 4.0 via the Climbfinder app
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Nice climb and nice view of the lake. Quiet on the way.

Mooie klim en mooi uitzicht op het meer. Rustig onderweg.

Dashboard
Royaldinho
Royaldinho premium
1 y 4.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Beautiful climb that is definitely not to be underestimated. Pretty soon after you leave the village it gets pretty tough and continues until just before the summit. On the steep parts you do have many beautiful vistas of the villages and the beautiful lake.

Mooie klim die zeker niet te onderschatten is. Vrij snel nadat je het dorp uit bent wordt het behoorlijk pittig en dat gaat door tot vlak voor de top. Op de steile stukken heb je wel veel prachtige doorkijkjes op de dorpjes en het schitterende meer.

Dashboard
Philou14
Philou14
3 y 4.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

The effort is sustained in the woods with no flat spots to weigh down the legs. It's a short but quite intense climb. The last kilometre is very rolling and is on the plate. Once at the top, you can descend 500 m on the Chambéry side to find a viewpoint with a view of the Alps (see photo). Having left from Saint-Paul-de-Yenne, I took the road that goes to the hang-glider take-off area and that passes by the Pas du Lièvre and the Col de Provinces (not indicated on all the maps), just to finish with 1200 D+ in total. The Col de l'épine is a beautiful climb with few cars, which is to be noted. As for the Relais du Chat, not everyone can afford to tackle it (at least not me).

L'effort est soutenu dans le bois avec une absence de replat qui pèse sur les jambes. C'est une montée courte mais assez intense. Le dernier kilomètre très roulant se fait sur la plaque. Une fois au sommet, on peut descendre sur 500 m sur le versant Chambéry pour y trouver un belvédère avec vue sur la chaine des Alpes (voir photo). Etant parti de Saint-Paul-de-Yenne, j'ai au retour emprunté la route qui va à l'aire de décollage des deltaplanes et qui passe par le le Pas du Lièvre et le col de Provinces (pas indiqué sur toute les cartes), histoire de finir avec 1200 de D+ au total. Le Col de l'épine est une belle montée avec peu de voitures, ce qui est à souligner. Quant au Relais du Chat, tout le monde ne peut se permettre de partir à son assaut (en tous cas pas moi).

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Dashboard
Cromagnon
Cromagnon premium
3 y 3.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

Nice, but there is so much better in the area (Le Mont du Chat to name but one...). It's moderately difficult. Irregular. You often climb in the woods. You can have a view on the lake of Aiguebelette. The road is good, the descent is nice. Nothing to discover at the top. The finish of the pass is in the woods. When the landscapes of the plain are stronger than those of the altitude, one sometimes wonders why one climbs! I don't have a lasting memory of this pass but why not!

Sympa, mais il y a tellement mieux dans le coin (Le Mont du Chat pour ne citer que lui...). C'est moyennement difficile. Irrégulier. On grimpe souvent dans les bois. On peut tout de même profiter d'une belle vue sur le lac d'Aiguebelette. La route est bonne, la descente est chouette. Rien à découvrir en haut. L'arrivée du col est dans les bois. Quand les paysages de plaine sont plus forts que ceux d'altitude, on se demande parfois pourquoi on grimpe ! Je n'ai pas un souvenir impérissable de ce col mais pourquoi pas !

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Dashboard
Claus011
Claus011 premium
3 y 4.0 00:42:41 (6.8 mph)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Fine climb from Novalaise. Little traffic early in the morning. Some falling rocks on the road. Heaviest part mainly between the trees. Nice to go to the basejump spot. Extra 3,5 km with 200 altimeters. Nice viewpoint. Clear descent.

Fijne klim vanuit Novalaise. Vroeg in de ochtend weinig verkeer. Beetje vallend gesteente op de weg. Zwaarste stuk grotendeels tussen de bomen. Leuk om boven nog naar de basejump plek te gaan. Extra 3,5 km met nog 200 hoogtemeters. Mooi uitzichtpunt. Overzichtelijke afdaling.

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Dashboard
Storm
Storm
4 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

This should not be underestimated. Is already a tough climb. From km 1 is that steep to the top no moment or piece where you just give your legs some rest. So for this training is very important. Nice descent to 80 per hour. Piece of cake.

Deze mag je vooral niet onderschatten. Is al een stevige klim. Vanaf km 1 gaat die steil tot boven geen moment of stukje waar je even de benen wat rust geeft. Dus voor deze is training heel belangrijk. Leuk afdaling wel 80 per uur. Makkie.

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise
Dashboard

Climbing times

5 mph 00:58:43
7 mph 00:41:34
9 mph 00:32:23
12 mph 00:24:20

Road surface condition

88% 13% 0%
Based on 8 votes
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Traffic

100% 0% 0%
Based on 9 votes
Your experience counts. How much traffic did you encounter during the climb?

Frequently Asked Questions

Col de l'Épine can be cycled from 4 sides. Col de l'Épine from Chambery is the most popular side, but the summit can also be reached via Col de l'Épine from Novalaise, Col de l'Épine from La Motte-Servolex via La Vilette & Col de l'Épine from La Motte Servolex via Saint Sulpice.

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise 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!

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise is a serious climb and falls into the 2nd category. With a good basic fitness level, even without much cycling experience, you can complete this climb just fine. However, a bike with climbing gears is a must. Without experience or training, it will be really tough – but that’s part of the challenge!

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise is 4.9 mi long.

The average gradient of Col de l'Épine from Novalaise is 7.1%.

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 10%.

The summit of Col de l'Épine from Novalaise is at 3238 ft.

At a slow pace of 5 mph, it takes about 00:58:43 to climb Col de l'Épine from Novalaise. At 7 mph the time is 00:41:34, and at 9 mph 00:32:23. For the fastest cyclists, 00:24:20 is an achievable time.

Col de l'Épine from Novalaise is located in the region Savoie in France.

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