Road · France
Col du Pré from Arêches
A mountainous 9 km road cycling route from Les Carroz Dessus through Les Envers, Les Nants and Les Gèrats, with 699 m of climbing over the Arêches climb.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 8.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 699 m
- Riding time
- 37 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Les Carroz Dessus
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 699 m
- 9 km
Route description
- Les Carroz Dessus
- Arêches climb
- Les Envers
- Les Nants
- Les Gèrats
- Boudin
Starting just outside Arêches, the route begins with 0.7 km to reach 1002 m before the main climb of Col du Pré starts. The climb covers 7.8 km on mostly minor roads, 91% of which are climbing. It rises 699 m at an average gradient of 9%, with sections up to 11.4%. The paved surface is continuous throughout.
The steepest stretches last for 6.4 km above 8%, including 2.1 km exceeding 10%. After leaving Arêches, the first 1.5 km provide access to water, a bakery, a convenience store, and toilets within 24 m off the route. Beyond km 4.4 there is a longest stretch of 4.1 km without café, shop, or water until the finish. The final altitude at the col is 1702 m, with a restaurant called La Marie Rose nearby, 20 m off the route.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Arêches climb (7.8 km at 9 %).
- Tops out at 1,702 m, 8.5 km in.
Highlights
- Col du Pré summit at 1702 m
- Average gradient 9% over 7.8 km
- Route du Col du Pré road for 5.7 km
- Longest no-service stretch 4.1 km from km 4.4
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arêches climb | 0.7 km | 7.8 km · 699 m · 9 % · max 11.4 % | 7.8 km · 699 m · 9 % | 1702 m |
Arêches climb · full ascent, starts at 0.7 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 91% minor road · 6% quiet street · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads used
- Route du Col du Pré (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 91% climbing · 7% descending · 2% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.5 km over 5% · 6.4 km over 8% · 2.1 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 11 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 8 water points and 3 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.3 kmBoulangerie des Croës · bakery · on the route
- 1.3 kmVival · convenience store · on the route
- 1.3 kmToilets · on the route
- 1.5 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 8.5 kmLa Marie Rose · restaurant · on the route
Stay after this ride
- Hôtel Vialet · hotel · 2.3 km from the finish
- Les Ancolies · hotel · 2.4 km from the finish
- Le Christiana · hotel · 2.5 km from the finish
- Les 9 Névés · guest house · 2.8 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Boulangerie des Croës (420 m), Les 9 Névés (30 m), Déniv'café (400 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- La Marie Rose (20 m)
Know before you go
- 4.1 km stretch without café, shop or water from km 4.4 to 8.5
- 6.4 km above 8% gradient with max 11.4%
- 13 km on main roads without cycle lane is not applicable
