19.5
PDI
6.3 mi
DISTANCE
2,619 ft
GAINED
7.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ties Arts, Brussem, Netherlands
INTRO
Col de la Platta is a true adventure in the French Alps and one of the quieter climbs in Les Trois Vallées. Starting from Courchevel Moriond at about 1,583 m (5,193 ft), it covers 10.2 km (6.3 mi) and gains 798 m (2,619 ft) at a 7.9% average, finishing at about 2,381 m (7,812 ft).
The route is a mix of paved road and gravel. Roughly a quarter of the climb is on gravel that is manageable on a road bike, and the steepest 100 yards (91 m) average 14.5%. The road climbs through the landscape of ski slopes and lifts, with beautiful views, and for a road bike the col is a dead end where the ride turns around.
A rider who tackled it in 2023 described lots of variety in scenery, road surface and steepness, and very little traffic.
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 7.9% over 10.2 km (6.3 mi) and gains 798 m (2,619 ft). It is relentless: the steepest 100 yards (91 m) average 14.5%, the steepest 500 m (0.3 mi) 14.0%, and the steepest kilometer 12.4%.
Over the steepest 2 km (1.2 mi) the average is 10.6%, over the steepest 5 km (3.1 mi) it is 9.6%, and over 10 km (6.2 mi) it is 8.0%. Expect little rest, and gravel in the middle of the climb that slows you further.
Roadway: Part of the climb is paved and about a quarter is gravel. Riders on road bikes report the gravel as manageable, but a wider tire will make it more comfortable. Courchevel's tourism office treats the full circuit over the col as a gravel route for experienced riders and notes that the descent into the Vallée des Avals starts stony and becomes smoother lower down.
Traffic: Very quiet. A rider who climbed it in 2023 described it as very quiet.
Parking: Start from Courchevel Moriond (Courchevel 1650). Park in the hamlet and avoid blocking the lift base or service roads. For parking in the main resort, see our Col de la Loze climb.
Gear: A compact crankset with a wide-range cassette makes sense for the steeper pitches and the gravel. Wider tires help on the loose sections, and the col is at 2,381 m (7,812 ft), so bring a windproof layer.
Provisions: There is no resupply on the climb itself. The Refuge du Grand Plan, reached on the loop route beyond the col, has a place to resupply and an e-bike charging point, so fill your bottles in Moriond.
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 Col de la Platta circuit is a Courchevel outdoor route open from about May 1 to October 31, weather permitting. It continues beyond the col on alpine pasture tracks and a short singletrack section to the Refuge du Grand Plan, then returns via the Vallée des Avals.
Most Courchevel riders come for the Col de la Loze, and the Altiport and the resort's dining are covered on that page. The Platta is the quieter alternative on the same mountain, and it is easy to ride both in the same trip.
The finish is above 2,300 m (7,546 ft), so conditions can differ sharply from the village. Check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
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TiesArts
Lovely climb. Lots of variety (scenery, road surface (paved, gravel), steepness (roller with view peaks). And very quiet.
