Road · France
Col de la Croix-Morand from Chambon-sur-Lac
A mountainous 8 km road cycling route from Chambon-sur-Lac through Bressouleille, with 505 m of climbing over the Chambon-sur-Lac climb. Most of it (6 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 5.7 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Mixed surface: 87% is mapped as paved and 13% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 7.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 505 m
- Riding time
- 33 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Chambon-sur-Lac
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 505 m
- 8 km
Route description
- Chambon-sur-Lac
- Chambon-sur-Lac climb
- Bressouleille
The route starts in Chambon-sur-Lac at 890 m and climbs 7.7 km to the Col de la Croix-Morand at 1395 m. The average gradient is 6.6% with sections reaching a maximum of 11.4%. Climbing is consistent, with 6.3 km above 5%, 1.6 km above 8%, and 0.7 km above 10%. The majority of the road is paved (87%), with 13% gravel or unpaved.
Most of the route (6 km) is on main roads, specifically the D 996, with no cycle lanes, and 5.7 km are on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or higher. There is 1 km on a track and 0.7 km on a minor road. Facilities at the start include a bakery, restaurants, drinking water and toilets. After 1 km there are no cafés, shops, or water for 6.7 km until the finish at Col de la Croix-Morand, where the Buron du Col restaurant and toilets are located.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Chambon-sur-Lac climb (7.7 km at 6.6 %).
- Tops out at 1,395 m, 7.7 km in.
Highlights
- Col de La Croix Morand viewpoint at 7.7 km
- Start at Chambon-sur-Lac with bakery and restaurants
- Long 7.7 km climb gaining 505 m
- Maximum gradient 11.4%
- Road named D 996 for 6 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambon-sur-Lac climb | 0 km | 7.7 km · 505 m · 6.6 % · max 11.4 % | 7.7 km · 505 m · 6.6 % | 1395 m |
Chambon-sur-Lac climb · full ascent, starts at 0 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 78% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 5.7 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 78% main road · 13% track · 9% minor road
- Main roads
- 6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 5.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- D 996 (6 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 87% is mapped as paved and 13% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 99% climbing · 1% descending · 0% flat
- Steep sections
- 6.3 km over 5% · 1.6 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 5 cafés and restaurants, 3 water points and 4 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmBoulangerie Morillat · bakery · 150 m off route
- 0 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 7.7 kmBuron du Col · restaurant · on the route
- 7.7 kmToilets · 100 m off route
Worth a stop
- 7.7 km — Col de La Croix Morand (viewpoint)
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Boulangerie Morillat (150 m), Snack le Boui-Boui (70 m), Bistro Vallée (80 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Buron du Col (20 m)
Know before you go
- 6 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 5.7 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit
- Gravel or unpaved for 13% of route
- No café, shop or water for 6.7 km after 1 km
