Road · France
Pra-Loup from Barcelonnette
A mountainous 10 km road cycling route from Barcelonnette through Le Plan, Bréguet and Cornille, with 504 m of climbing over Cornille climb (1630 m).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 10.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 504 m
- Riding time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jul to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Barcelonnette
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 504 m
- 10 km
Route description
- Barcelonnette
- Le Plan
- Bréguet
- Cornille climb (1630 m)
- Cornille
- Le Pied de la Maure
- Uvernet
- Molanès
The route starts in Barcelonnette and passes through La Gravette and Le Plan within the first 2 km. After Cornille at 2.1 km, the main climb begins, lasting 8.5 km with 500 m elevation gain at an average gradient of 5.9%, reaching a maximum gradient of 8.5%. The climb finishes at Pra-Loup 1600 at 1630 m elevation.
The road surface is mostly paved (95%) with around 4% gravel. The ride is mainly on minor roads (57%) and main roads (28%), including 5.9 km on the D 109. There are 2.9 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 5.9 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The profile includes 79% climbing, 1% descending, and 20% flat sections.
At the start in Barcelonnette there are various cafés, patisseries, bakeries, and a supermarket nearby. The largest stretch without a café, shop, or water is 4.2 km between 4 km and 8.2 km. At the finish in Pra-Loup 1600, facilities include a bakery, restaurants, a convenience store, pharmacy, and bar. Water points and toilets are located near the start and finish, and a bike shop with a repair stand is available near both ends.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Cornille climb (1630 m) (8.5 km at 5.9 %).
- Tops out at 1,630 m, 10.4 km in.
Highlights
- Climb from Cornille to Pra-Loup 1600
- D 109 road for 5.9 km
- Highest point at 1630 m
- Start town Barcelonnette amenities
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornille climb (1630 m) | 2 km | 8.5 km · 500 m · 5.9 % · max 8.5 % | 8.5 km · 500 m · 5.9 % | 1630 m |
Cornille climb (1630 m) · full ascent, starts at 1.9 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (2.9 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 57% minor road · 28% main road · 7% road with cycle lane · 5% quiet street · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 2.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 5.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- D 109 (6 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 95% is mapped as paved, 4% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 79% climbing · 1% descending · 20% flat
- Steep sections
- 6.7 km over 5% · 0.9 km over 8%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 70 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops, 3 water points, 1 petrol station, 4 public toilets and 4 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmMaison Padiou · patisserie · 70 m off route
- 0 kmPharmacie Bureau · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 0.1 kmCarrefour Market · supermarket · 120 m off route
- 0.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 0.3 kmDrinking water · 60 m off route
- 0.7 kmGranphi · bike shop · 240 m off route
- 0.7 kmGarage de Restefond · petrol station · 230 m off route
- 4 kmSpring · 230 m off route
- 9.5 kmToilets · on the route
- 9.9 kmPharmacie de Pra Loup · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 10.1 kmSpar · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 10.2 kmBoulangerie le Pain des Pistes · bakery · 30 m off route
- 10.4 kmDrinking water · 80 m off route
- 10.4 kmRepair stand · on the route
Worth a stop
- 10.4 km — Praloops (attraction)
Stay after this ride
- Marmotel · hotel · 110 m from the finish
- Loup Chalet · guest house · 160 m from the finish
- VTF l'Ouka · hotel · 290 m from the finish
- Hôtel les Bergers · hotel · 380 m from the finish
- Le Loup Blanc · hotel · 180 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Maison Padiou (70 m), Boulangerie Mazan (40 m), Bar du Glacier (50 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Boulangerie le Pain des Pistes (180 m), Le Coq Noir (40 m), La Bergerie (60 m)
- Shops
- Spar (220 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Pharmacie de Pra Loup (290 m)
Know before you go
- 4.2 km without café, shop or water from 4 km to 8.2 km
- 2.9 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 5.9 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- Approx 4% gravel surface
