22.3
PDI
9.3 mi
DISTANCE
3,485 ft
GAINED
7.1 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Erwan Treguier, Brittany, France
INTRO
Col du Chaussy from La Chambre climbs 15.0 km (9.3 mi) and 1,062 m (3,485 ft) at an average grade of 7.1%, from the valley floor at 473 m (1,552 ft) up to the 1,533 m (5,030 ft) col in Savoie. It is the quiet, forested back side of a pass best known for the 17 hairpins of the Lacets de Montvernier on the opposite approach - and that lack of crowds is a big part of its appeal.
For the first stretch out of La Chambre you share the D213 with traffic bound for the Col de la Madeleine, and it is steep and busier than the rest of the climb. The road forks near Montaimont, and from there the Chaussy road narrows and turns sinuous, winding through Montaimont and Bonvillard before leaving the trees for alpine meadow. The grade is irregular rather than steady: our data has the steepest half mile (0.8 km) at 10.5% and the steepest mile (1.6 km) at 9.6%. At the top the col sits on a plateau with views toward the Aiguilles d'Arves, the Belledonne range and the Lauzière, and a Nordic ski area in winter.
The Chaussy made its Tour de France name in 2015, when stage 19 from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire crossed it from the Montvernier side and Romain Bardet won the stage. Riding it from La Chambre gets you the same summit by a road that few visitors ever see.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Col du Chaussy from La Chambre climbs 1,062 m (3,485 ft) over 15.0 km (9.3 mi), from 473 m (1,552 ft) in La Chambre to 1,533 m (5,030 ft) at the col, at an average grade of 7.1%.
The steepest 100 yards (91 m) reach 13.7%, the steepest quarter mile (0.4 km) averages 12.0%, and the steepest half mile (0.8 km) 10.5%. Over longer blocks the grade stays demanding: 9.6% for the steepest mile (1.6 km), 8.8% for the steepest 5 km (3.1 mi) and 8.1% for the steepest 10 km (6.2 mi). The average hides a lot of variation, with steep pitches separated by slightly flatter sections, so pace the early ramps out of La Chambre rather than treating the whole climb as a steady 7%.
Roadway: The road is paved all the way to the col, fully surfaced since the upper section was finished ahead of the 2015 Tour de France. Surface quality is mixed: good in many places, patchy and rougher on the wilder upper stretches, and the descent toward Montvernier deteriorates below Montpascal, so take it carefully. The col is a Nordic ski area in winter, so expect snow and frost on the upper road outside summer.
Traffic: The shared D213 out of La Chambre is steep and carries real traffic from Madeleine-bound cars and riders. Past the fork near Montaimont the road is much quieter and more sinuous, and the upper climb sees little more than local cars and the occasional cyclist.
Parking: La Chambre is a small town on the valley floor, and the church in the center is the natural place to start. Carry everything you need, as there are no services once you leave town until the col.
Provisions: Stock up in La Chambre before you turn onto the climb. The villages of Montaimont and Bonvillard are small, and the next reliable stop is the col, where there is a drinking water tap and the Auberge du Chaussy beside the Grand Coin Nordic area. Treat the auberge's opening hours as seasonal and carry enough food for the whole climb.
Gear: A compact crankset with a 30 to 32 tooth cog is sensible given the 10%+ pitches early on. It is cooler and more exposed at 1,533 m (5,030 ft) than in the valley, so a wind layer is worth packing, especially if you descend the Montvernier side.
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.
La Chambre sits in the middle of the Maurienne, and the Chaussy is one of several climbs that start from or near it. The Col de la Madeleine leaves from the same town, and the Chaussy's other approaches - the Lacets de Montvernier from Pontamafrey, and the Hermillon side - each have their own pages. This is the one to choose if you want the Chaussy without the hairpin crowds.
At the col, the Grand Coin Nordic area and the auberge make it a pleasant place to regroup, and the plateau is worth a few minutes for the views. A popular way to finish is to drop down the Montvernier side through its famous hairpins, then loop back along the valley; see our Lacets de Montvernier page for that half of the story.
To see other Maurienne climbs nearby, or build a custom route from here, try our Routes in the Area tool.
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