Col du Jaman (Clarens) Bike Climb | Cycling the Swiss Alps

Switzerland Col du Jaman (Clarens)

Col du Jaman (Clarens) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

26.7

PDI

6.3 mi

DISTANCE

3,284 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

9.6 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland; Helmuth Dekkers, Netherlands.

INTRO

Col du Jaman climbs 10.1 km (6.3 mi) from Clarens, a lakeside district of Montreux on Lake Geneva, up to the 1,514 m (4,967 ft) col that gives the climb its name, gaining 1,001 m (3,284 ft) at a punishing 9.6% average grade. Widely considered the toughest climb around Lake Geneva, it's short but relentless - the steepest kilometer, which starts partway up, averages 16.0%, with brief pitches over 20%. We've ridden both approaches to the col - this one from Clarens and the longer, gentler route from Montreux - on a day that started clear and turned overcast before we reached the top, so we've heard more than seen just how good the Lake Geneva views can be from up here on a clear day. At the summit we were met by a local friend, Ard Oostra of Montreux, who joined us for the descent. Clarens itself has a literary and musical pedigree well beyond its size: Jean-Jacques Rousseau set his 1761 novel "Julie, or the New Heloise" here, and Igor Stravinsky composed The Rite of Spring in a small rented house in the village in 1911-1912. It's a quieter, more residential corner of the Montreux area than the lakefront promenade and jazz-festival crowds a few kilometers east.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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This is the steeper of the two approaches to Col du Jaman: 10.1 km (6.3 mi) gaining 1,001 m (3,284 ft) at a 9.6% average grade. It's a relentless climb with almost no flat recovery sections - the steepest mile averages 14.7% and the steepest kilometer, which begins around the 6.4 km mark, averages 16.0%, with short ramps reported over 20%. The Montreux approach, by comparison, is longer and shallower at around 7.5% average.

Roadway: The road is paved the entire way. Surface quality is generally good for a narrow secondary Vaud mountain road, though it narrows further in the upper hairpins near the summit. As with any high, shaded prealpine road, it's worth checking for lingering winter or spring snow before an early- or late-season ride. Traffic: Traffic is light. This is a steep, narrow lane serving small hillside hamlets like Le Châtelard rather than a through-route, so cars are infrequent outside of local access. Parking: Clarens is a quiet, largely residential lakeside district of Montreux. The climb begins at the intersection of Route de Zephier and Route de Fontanivent; roadside parking is available near this junction.

With pitches over 20% and a sustained double-digit average for most of the climb, this is a ride for a compact crank and a wide-range cassette - there's little chance to recover a bad gear choice partway up. The summit sits above 1,500 m and caught us in cloud on our own visit, so pack a light shell even if it looks clear from the lake.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

Clarens carries more cultural weight than its size suggests: Rousseau set his novel "Julie, or the New Heloise" here in 1761, drawing 19th-century literary tourists to the area, and Stravinsky composed The Rite of Spring in a small rented house in the village in 1911-1912. It's a quieter alternative to staying in central Montreux, a few kilometers east, with its lakefront promenade and jazz-festival crowds. Col du Jaman is one of several serious climbs radiating out from the Montreux area into the Vaud Prealps, alongside Le Molard and Plan de Chatel. The summit sees its share of cloud and wind off the lake even when the shore below is clear - our own visit turned overcast partway up - so it's worth checking current conditions with our Weather tool before setting out.