25.9
PDI
15.1 mi
DISTANCE
4,613 ft
GAINED
5.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Arc 2000 climbs 24.4 km (15.1 mi) from Séez, just outside Bourg-Saint-Maurice, to the resort village of Arc 2000 at roughly 2,140 m (7,027 ft), gaining 1,406 m (4,613 ft) at an average grade of 5.4%. The road is the shared access route for all of Les Arcs, so this climb passes through three ski villages on the way up - Arc 1600, Arc 1800, and finally Arc 2000 itself, named simply for its altitude.
The lower half unfolds in wide, well-paved switchbacks at a fairly consistent 6-7% up to the Arc 1800 roundabout. Above that the road eases into a longer, more monotonous grind past Arc 1600, with views opening up toward Col du Petit Saint-Bernard and La Rosière across the valley. The final kilometers climb out of the forest into open, high-alpine terrain, passing a dark avalanche shed shortly before the road levels out into Arc 2000.
Arc 2000 was the last and highest of the four Arcs villages, built between 1978 and 1989 as part of designer Charlotte Perriand's ambitious plan for Les Arcs - staggered, cantilevered apartment blocks designed to give every unit a view of the mountains rather than of each other. Construction was left unfinished when state funding was withdrawn in 1985, giving the resort's upper reaches a slightly raw, unfinished character that distinguishes it from its more polished neighbor, Arc 1800.
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. Arc 2000 gains 1,406 m (4,613 ft) over 24.4 km (15.1 mi) at an average grade of 5.4%, starting at 816 m (2,678 ft) in Séez and topping out around 2,140 m (7,027 ft).
The climb is steepest in its lower half: the switchbacks up to Arc 1800 hold a fairly constant 6-7%, and the steepest full kilometer on the route, in this section, averages 8.1%. Above Arc 1800 the grade eases noticeably - the final stretch through Arc 1600 and on to Arc 2000 is the mildest part of the climb, helping explain the moderate overall average despite the long distance. The steepest 100 meters, an isolated pitch, reaches 17.7%.
Roadway: The D119 is paved and well-maintained the entire way - it's the primary access road for a major year-round resort, so it's kept in good condition and plowed through winter for ski traffic. Expect smooth, wide tarmac with generous sightlines through most of the switchbacks.
Traffic: Moderate and seasonal. As the sole road into Les Arcs, the D119 carries real resort traffic - delivery vehicles, residents, and visitor cars - heaviest during French school holiday periods in both winter and summer. Outside peak weeks and away from the village centers themselves, traffic thins out considerably.
Parking: Most riders start from Séez or Bourg-Saint-Maurice at the base, both of which have ample free street parking. There's also pay parking available in each of the Arcs villages en route for riders who want to split the climb into shorter segments.
Séez and Bourg-Saint-Maurice have full grocery stores, bakeries, and cafes for stocking up before the climb. Along the way, Arc 1600, Arc 1800, and Arc 2000 itself all have shops, restaurants, and water available in season, though hours can be limited outside the winter and summer peaks - check ahead if you're riding in the shoulder season. Given the altitude and length, carry a light extra layer even in summer; temperatures at 2,000 m can be noticeably cooler than at the base.
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.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Séez sit at the hub of the Tarentaise valley, with several other major climbs within easy reach - Col du Petit Saint-Bernard, Cormet de Roselend, and Col de l'Iseran all start nearby, making this a good base for a multi-day Alpine cycling trip. See our Routes in the Area tool for other climbs to combine with Arc 2000. The resort itself, and Arc 1800 in particular, is worth a slow look for its distinctive Charlotte Perriand-designed architecture - staggered, mountain-hugging buildings that are as much a part of the area's character as the climb itself.
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