Cycling Col de la Loze from Meribel
Ride 28 kilometers gaining 1,805 meters at 6% average grade.
This is the ascent to Col de la Loz from Meribel. The traditional route from Meribel is the hardest bike climb in France (PJAMM Cycling Hardest Bike Climbs in France), but the 2023 Tour de France takes the less difficult route to the top - this route ranks at the #14 hardest French bike climb. The last seven kilometers of the ride are bike-only.
Cycling Col de la Loze is an epic and challenging climb located in the French Alps’ Savoie region. This mountain pass gained significant attention in recent years, as it was featured as a summit finish in the Tour de France.
Road markers each kilometer.
Photo: Starting km marker.
The final kilometer marker is located at the Vallee de Courchevel Ski Resort.
TOUR DE FRANCE
2023 Tour de France - Stage 17 - Col de la Loze
Photo: letour.fr
On September 16, 2020 (previously scheduled for July 15), Stage 17 (Grenoble - Col de La Loze) the Tour de France featured for the first time this mountain climb. Christian Prudhomme’s Comments:
“Only a great champion will be able to win at the Col de la Loze! The stage profile invites the favourites of the Tour to be audacious. They don’t yet know the road that will take them on that day to the Col de la Madeleine and have no idea of what to expect once in the resort of Méribel. They’ll still have an extra 7 irregular kilometres to climb with several passages at over 20%.”
Colombia’s Miguel Ängel López won stage 17 feeling at home above 2,000 meters (his home in Colombia is at 2,500 meters). Race leader Primož Roglič extended his advantage while López moved into podium position at number 3.
Miguel Ángel López (2023 Colombia national champion; 2016 Tour de Suisse champion)
Photo: Astana official website.
2023 TdF - Stage 17
Col de la Loze has been featured as an HC mountain top finish in the 2017 and 2023 Tour de France.
© Climb name | Elevation (meters) | Times highest point of TdF (as of 2022) | Mountain Range | Times Featured in Tour de France | Most recent | First included |
Cime de la Bonette | 2,802m | 4 | Alps | 4 | 2008 | 1962 |
Col de l'Iseran | 2,770m | 8 | Alps | 8 | 2019 | 1938 |
Col Agnel | 2,744m | 1 | Alps | 2 | 2011 | 2008 |
Col du Galibier | 2,642m | 50 | Alps | 63 | 2022 | 1911 |
Col du Granon | 2,413m | 0 | Alps | 2 | 2022 | 1986 |
Port d'Envalira | 2,407m | 3 | Pyrenees | 10 | 2021 | 1964 |
Col de la Lombarde | 2,350m | 0 |
|
| 2008 | 2008 |
Col d'Izoard | 2,360m | 9 | Alps | 36 | 2019 | 1922 |
Col de la Cayolle | 2,326m | 0 | Alps | 3 | 1973 | 1950 |
Col de la Loze | 2,304m | 0 | Alps | 1 | 2023 | 2020 © |
Above is a list of the highest all-time finishes of the Tour de France.
As you ascend Col de la Loze, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding Alpine landscape. The route takes you through picturesque mountain scenery, dense forests, and open meadows. The final kilometers offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks, including the iconic Mont Blanc.