Col de la Croix-Morand from Chambon-sur-Lac

Chambon-sur-Lac, FranceRoad

Routed from the map This classic road was traced on OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

8 km
Distance: 505 m
Elevation gain: Easy
Difficulty: Paved
Surface

Download GPX Map

Col de la Croix Morand, en Auvergne. — Photo: Vincent Gaudiard · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent: 505 m
Distance: 8 km

Route overview

This climb suits riders wanting a short but steady ascent with significant gradients over 7.7 km.

7.7 km climb to Col de la Croix-Morand from Chambon-sur-Lac in France, gaining 505 m.

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.

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

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Climbs

Climb	Starts at	Length	Gain	Average	Max	Top
Chambon-sur-Lac climb	0 km	7.7 km	505 m	6.6 %	11.4 %	1395 m

High point 1395 m at 7.7 km; low point 890 m.

Chambon-sur-Lac climb · starts at 0 km

7.7 km at 6.6% · 505 m

< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

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: 87% paved · 13% 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%

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Food, water and shops

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)

At the start

Boulangerie Morillat · bakery · 150 m
Snack le Boui-Boui · restaurant · 70 m
Bistro Vallée · restaurant · 80 m

At the finish

Buron du Col · restaurant · 20 m

Practical information

Surface: Paved
Route shape: Point to point
Riding time: 33 min
Best months: Jun to Sep — daily highs of 19–23 °C in those months

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

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Vincent Gaudiard · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Pline · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons