21.7
PDI
8.1 mi
DISTANCE
3,215 ft
GAINED
7.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Lisa Irizarry and Matt Jiang, NY, NY; Carl Hansen, Guernsey, UK; Anja Kanan, Škofja Loka;
INTRO
Col du Pré from Beaufort is a Hors Catégorie Tour de France climb through the Beaufortain: 13.1 km (8.1 mi) from Beaufort at 726.6 m (2,384 ft) to the col at 1,705.4 m (5,595 ft), gaining 979.9 m (3,215 ft) at a 7.5% average grade. Beaufort and the road to Arêches are the warm-up. Above Arêches the road turns narrower and climbs through about 15 hairpins, past old barns and pastures, at close to 10% - the steepest 5 km average 9.8% and the steepest 500 m 13.4% - with very little traffic.
The Tour de France first used the climb in 2018 (Stage 11, Albertville to La Rosière, Warren Barguil first over the top), returned in 2021 with Nairo Quintana first to the summit on Stage 9, and came back on Stage 19 of the 2025 Tour, from Albertville to La Plagne, when Lenny Martínez led over the col.
Beyond the col the road keeps climbing toward Lac de Roselend and the Cormet de Roselend, and on a clear day the views take in Mont Blanc.
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 Pré gains 979.9 m (3,215 ft) in 13.1 km (8.1 mi), a 7.5% average, from 726.6 m (2,384 ft) in Beaufort to 1,705.4 m (5,595 ft) at the col.
The steepest 10 km average 8.1%, the steepest 5 km 9.8%, the steepest 2 km 10.3% and the steepest kilometer 10.7%. The steepest 500 m reach 13.4%, the steepest 0.4 km (0.25 mi) 14.8% and the steepest 91 m (100 yd) 19.0%.
The shape of the climb is what matters. The lower kilometers through Beaufort are the warm-up, with a slight flat break in Arêches, and then the main event begins: riders describe roughly 9% for about 8 km (5 mi) after Arêches with no real breaks.
Roadway: Paved the entire way. From Beaufort the D218A leads to Arêches, where you turn onto the narrower D218D signed for the col. Above Arêches it is a small mountain road with about 15 hairpins. The col is closed by snow in winter and generally reopens with the spring thaw, so check Savoie's road-status information or the Arêches-Beaufort tourist office before an early- or late-season ride.
Traffic: Light. Beaufort and the lower road to Arêches carry local traffic, but above Arêches the road is quiet, used mostly by locals, hikers and other riders. Take care on the blind hairpin bends where the road narrows.
Parking: Beaufort's town center is the practical start, and the town has a bicycle repair station in its center. If you want to shorten the ride, Arêches has parking near the lifts and tourist office.
Gear: The long stretch of 9-10% above Arêches is where a compact chainring or a 34-tooth low gear earns its keep. There is little shade on the upper hairpins, so start early on hot days.
Provisions: There are no shops along the ascent itself, so fill your bottles in Beaufort or Arêches. A restaurant at the col is a good reward if you are continuing toward Roselend.
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.
Arêches is the natural stop on this climb. Hôtel-Restaurant Le Christiania 1947 is in the village, and one of the rider reviews on this page recommends its small brewery. The Fête d'Arêches, with parades and fireworks, is held the second weekend of August, so book ahead if you plan to visit then.
The Beaufortain also carries France's Accueil Vélo label for cyclist-friendly businesses, and the Arêches-Beaufort tourist office signs the Col du Pré as a marked cycling route with kilometer markers, with a regional cycling map available at its offices. Beaufort's cheese cooperative and Lac de Roselend are covered on our Cormet de Roselend pages, and one rider suggests carrying on over the col to the Cormet de Roselend, which feels easy after the climb from Beaufort.
ROUTE MAP
MEMBER RATING
CURRENT WEATHER
PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES
Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY
FROM No Climbs Found
MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS
Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?
LOG IN HERE
MethowBiker
The first several km from Beaufort are the warmup. After a slight flattish break in Areches, you hit the main event. Basically 9% for five miles (eight km) with no breaks. It is worth stopping, not only to catch your breath but also to admire the view. Once you summit, keep going. The view is amazing (Mont Blanc is right there), and there's a little restaurant where you can get a coffee. We continued on to do the Cornet de Roseland, which is "easy" compared to what you've just done coming up from Beaufort or Areches. There's a nice hotel in Areches, and even a small brewery.
