La Montagne de Lure from Valbelle

My first ever 'proper' mountain and what a climb!!

Starts very steady and gentle but soon settles into 5％ for the majority, although there are some steep pitches, especially on the hairpin sections just below the Pas de la Graille, where you gain a lot of height in just a few short sections.

One of the quietest climbs I've ever been on and even in mid-July heat (at 8am) at least there's plenty of shade for the most part. Saw only one other cyclist that day.

The majority of the climb is through forest on a narrow, winding road. Surface is chipseal so relatively easy to cycle on. It's only when you get over the pass and then get onto the last section up to the weather station that it's exposed to the sun but that's when you get the epic views across hills. The surface here is still good but with some gravel. You can even see Ventoux on a clear day apparently.

Tip: there are plenty of parking spots along the road near to the start if you are driving out to just do the climb.

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.