Col du Mollard North from Villargondran: 18.4 km Alpine Climb

France Col du Mollard North

Col du Mollard North Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

19.9

PDI

11.5 mi

DISTANCE

3,548 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

5.8 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Erwan Treguier, Brittany, France

INTRO

The Col du Mollard North climbs 18.4 km (11.5 mi) from Villargondran, just outside Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, gaining 1,081 m (3,548 ft) at a 5.8% average grade. It runs from 570 m (1,869 ft) in the Maurienne valley to 1,631 m (5,351 ft) at the col, passing through the Albiez villages on the way.

The first half of the ride is the hardest and the most characteristic: a long run of switchbacks, around 37 in a 7.7 km (4.8 mi) stretch beginning about 3 km (1.9 mi) from the start, climbs steadily through shaded forest at roughly 7%. After the Col de la Confrérie (1,368 m / 4,488 ft) at Albiez-le-Jeune, the trees open out, the road becomes more irregular, with short descents and ramps of 8-10%, and the Aiguilles d'Arves come into view. The final kilometers are exposed and steeper again.

Traffic is very light, and the shade makes this a good choice on a hot day. The Col du Mollard has featured in the Tour de France three times, in stages finishing at La Toussuire in 2006, 2012 and 2015.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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The climb averages 5.8% over 18.4 km (11.5 mi), but the first half is steeper than that suggests. The forest hairpins hold a steady grade of roughly 7%, and the climb eases after Albiez-le-Jeune before the road steepens again in the last couple of kilometers.

The steepest 91 m (100 yd) reaches 12.2%, the steepest 0.5 km (0.3 mi) averages 8.9%, and the steepest 1 km (0.6 mi) averages 8.5%. Over the hardest 2 km (1.2 mi) the grade is 7.5%, over the hardest 5 km (3.1 mi) it is 7.1%, and over the hardest 10 km (6.2 mi) it is 6.8%. Settle into the hairpins at a pace you can hold, since the climb does not give you many flat sections to recover.

Roadway: The road is paved all the way, but the surface is uneven. Riders report a damaged surface in places, especially in the hairpins and after Albiez-le-Jeune, and resurfacing work in recent years has left some sections coarse and gravelly. Take extra care on the descent, since the poor surface and the hairpins catch people out; many riders prefer to come down via Albiez-le-Vieux on the western road.

Traffic: Light, especially through the forest, where the climb is mostly local cars and other cyclists. Albiez-Montrond and the upper villages are busier in the ski season than in summer.

Parking: Villargondran is a small hillside village, so park courteously on the edge of the village and keep driveways and entrances clear. Alternatively, use the street parking near the center of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, covered on our Col de la Croix de Fer (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne) page, and ride the short approach to the start.

Provisions: Fill your bottles before you leave, since the forest section has no services. There is a water point and a place to eat and drink near the col, and the Albiez villages have basic services, but opening hours vary by season.

Gear: A compact crankset with a 28 to 30 tooth cassette is a good choice for the long hairpin section and the steep finish. The lower forest can be hot and humid, with reports of 27 degrees C by 10 a.m. in June, so bring enough water, and carry a light layer for the descent, since the col is more than 1,000 m (3,280 ft) above 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.

This is the northern approach to a col that other climbs reach from different sides, so the local interest here is in the villages you pass. Albiez-le-Jeune is the quiet hamlet at the Col de la Confrérie, with a village trail past the rock sculpture known as the Moine de Champlan, and higher up, Albiez-Montrond is the main village of a small, relaxed ski area at about 1,500 m (4,921 ft), facing the Aiguilles d'Arves. Its Ecomuseum, which has an exhibition on mountain life, is a worthwhile stop on a rest day.

From the col you can continue toward the Col de la Croix de Fer, and some riders use the Mollard as a way up to Croix de Fer that avoids the tunnels on the main approach. Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, covered on our Col de la Croix de Fer (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne) page, is the town for lodging and supplies. The col is much higher and cooler than the valley, so check conditions before you ride with our Weather tool.