21.5
PDI
8.3 mi
DISTANCE
3,257 ft
GAINED
7.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Erwan Treguier, Brittany, France
INTRO
Col du Chaussy from Pontamafrey climbs 13.4 km (8.3 mi) and 993 m (3,257 ft) at an average grade of 7.4%, from 509 m (1,671 ft) in the Arc valley toward the 1,533 m (5,030 ft) col in Savoie. On paper it is a solid but unremarkable Alpine climb. In practice it is one of the most memorable rides in the Maurienne, because of what happens in the first few minutes.
About 0.6 km (0.4 mi) up, the road turns onto the stack of 17 hairpins known worldwide as the Lacets de Montvernier, the Shoelaces of Montvernier. They cover 1.9 km (1.2 mi) at an average of 8.7% and gain 165 m (540 ft), and from the valley floor the road reads like a row of laces stitched up the cliff. This is a climb that simply must be done if you are anywhere in or near the Savoie.
Above the hairpins the character changes. The road threads through the hamlets of Montvernier, Le Noirey, Montbrunal and Montpascal, narrow and aerial beneath the cliffs, with mostly local cars and other cyclists for company. The Tour de France gave the Lacets their global audience in 2015, when stage 19 crossed the Chaussy on its way to La Toussuire.
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. The climb averages 7.4% over 13.4 km (8.3 mi) and it never lets up: even the easier kilometers run around 6%. The hardest stretch is right at the start, inside the Lacets de Montvernier, where our data has the steepest kilometer (0.6 mi) at 9.3% and the steepest half kilometer (0.3 mi) at 9.5%; the 17 hairpins themselves average 8.7%.
The steepest 2 km (1.2 mi) average 8.8%, the steepest 5 km (3.1 mi) average 8.0% and the steepest 10 km (6.2 mi) average 7.7%. A second steep kilometer of about 8.9% comes near 8 km (5.0 mi), then the grade eases to 6-7% before a slightly steeper finish. Our route climbs from 509 m (1,671 ft) to 1,502 m (4,928 ft), a little below the 1,533 m (5,030 ft) col.
Roadway: The road is paved all the way to the col. The lower part, through the Lacets de Montvernier, is narrow and generally in good condition, with a drop-off on the outside of several hairpins, while the upper stretches under the cliffs of Montpascal are more uneven and can be patchy. The col is a Nordic ski area in winter, so expect snow and frost on the upper road outside summer.
Traffic: Light. This is a tourist and cycling road rather than a through route, with more motorcycles and bicycles than cars on weekends. Keep to your side in the hairpins and watch for traffic coming down, particularly on the descent.
Parking: There is street parking in Pontamafrey and the village at the base of the climb, near the junction with the D1006. Arrive early on summer weekends, as spaces are limited.
Provisions: Fill your bottles before you start; there are water points in Montvernier and Montpascal, and at the col there is a drinking water tap and an inn, the Auberge du Chaussy, whose opening hours are seasonal. Carry food for the whole climb.
Gear: With 7-9% for most of the distance, a compact crankset with a 30 to 32 tooth cog is sensible. Bring a wind layer for the col at 1,533 m (5,030 ft), which is cooler and more exposed than the valley.
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.
The climb suits an early start on a summer weekend, when you will have the hairpins largely to yourself. The tourism office lists a 50.6 km (31.4 mi) loop with 1,760 m (5,774 ft) of climbing that uses the Montvernier side, and the timed Grimpée du Col du Chaussy has started from the Pontamafrey town hall (502 m / 1,647 ft) and finishes at the col, so check the local calendar for event dates.
The Chaussy has three approaches: this one from Pontamafrey, the quiet forested side from La Chambre, and the Hermillon route, each with its own page. Our Lacets de Montvernier page covers the hairpins alone, and the Col du Chaussy (La Chambre) page describes the back side and the col.
The col sits well above the valley, so check conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
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zesoloist
Rode on a Saturday coming back from Glandon. Had to try it after reading. Switchbacks are fun. The top half of the climb is still a bit of a huff. Best part is the descent to go up Madeleine. Stop to enjoy the views. I wouldn’t go down the switchback. Loose gravel and you’d be on the brakes the whole time because it’s 300m between turns
gdurkan
While the views can be obscured by the trees, the switchbacks are a delight and continuing on is worth it. It connects to Col de Chaussy and Col de la Madeleine if you are into Col-collecting. There is a nice food stop at Chaussy with 360° views.
