Cyclists.com

Col de Vars from Guillestre

Guillestre, 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.

20 km
Distance
1,124 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,124 m
Distance
20 km
Elevation (m)05001,0001,5002,0002,5000 km5 km10 km15 km20 kmHighest point2,109 m at 19.6 kmStart0 kmFinish20 km

Route overview

This ride suits cyclists looking for a challenging 20 km climb with over 1100 m of elevation gain.

A 19.6 km climb from Guillestre to Col de Vars in France, gaining 1124 m at an average gradient of 6.9% and 5.5%.

The route starts in Guillestre at 1007 m and climbs steadily for 19.6 km to Col de Vars at 2109 m. The first 9.4 km climb gains 648 m at an average of 6.9%, with maximum gradients of 10.9%. This is followed by a shorter climb of 8.7 km gaining 475 m at 5.5% average and max 8.4%, reaching the highest point at 19.5 km. The route mainly follows the D 902 main road for 18 km, with 92% on main roads and a small section of 0.7 km on a quiet street. It is 98% paved with a small 2% section of gravel or unpaved. There are 18 km on main roads without a cycle lane and 11.7 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Starting in Guillestre there are cafés, bakeries, shops, water, toilets, a petrol station and bike repair stands available. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is from 0.4 to 8.5 km (8.1 km). Further up, shops and water points reappear near Vars and Les-Claux, with a restaurant at the finish.

Highlights

  • Col de Vars summit at 2109 m
  • Peyre Haute viewpoint at 3.6 km
  • First climb averaging 6.9% for 9.4 km
  • Route mostly on D 902 main road

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Saint-Marcellin 10.3 km
  2. Sainte-Marie 12.1 km
  3. Vars 12.1 km
  4. Les-Claux 14.7 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Guillestre climb0.1 km9.4 km648 m6.9 %10.9 %1656 m
Saint-Marcellin climb10.8 km8.7 km475 m5.5 %8.4 %2109 m

High point 2109 m at 19.5 km; low point 1007 m.

Guillestre climb · starts at 0.1 km

9.3 km at 6.9% · 648 m
110012001300140015001600ELEVATION (M)7.7%8.7%9.7%7.6%6.8%7.8%2.8%0 km123456789.3 kmDISTANCE (KM)Guillestre climb · 1,655 mSTEEPEST 9.7%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Saint-Marcellin climb · starts at 10.8 km

8.7 km at 5.5% · 475 m
17001800190020002100ELEVATION (M)7.2%7.4%7.4%4.8%3.2%7.0%4.5%0 km123456788.7 kmDISTANCE (KM)Saint-Marcellin climb · 2,109 mSTEEPEST 7.4%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
92% main road · 4% quiet street
Main roads
18 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
11.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
D 902 (18 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
89% climbing · 3% descending · 8% flat
Steep sections
12.8 km over 5% · 4.4 km over 8% · 0.8 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

  1. 0 kmLa laverie des copains · café · on the route
  2. 0 kmPharmacie Peyron · pharmacy · on the route
  3. 0.2 kmCarrefour · supermarket · 250 m off route
  4. 0.2 kmDrinking water · on the route
  5. 0.2 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  6. 0.2 kmRepair stand · 170 m off route
  7. 10.3 kmDrinking water · on the route
  8. 10.5 kmToilets · on the route
  9. 10.8 kmVIA-ALTITUDE · petrol station · 100 m off route
  10. 14.8 kmLa véronnaise · bakery · on the route
  11. 14.9 kmRepair stand · 80 m off route
  12. 15 kmCentre médical de la Maison Blanche · clinic · on the route
  13. 15.3 kmDrinking water · on the route
  14. 15.4 kmSpar - Le Point Show · convenience store · on the route
  15. 15.8 kmToilette Autonettoyante · toilets · 50 m off route
  16. 19.5 kmL'Igloo · restaurant · on the route

Worth a stop

  • 3.6 km — Peyre Haute (viewpoint)

At the start

  • La laverie des copains · café · 10 m
  • La Guillestrine · bakery · 20 m
  • Boulangerie - Patisserie · bakery · 40 m
  • Mastro Gelataio · ice cream · 60 m
  • Café la Maye · café · 130 m

At the finish

  • L'Igloo · restaurant · 30 m

Stay after this ride

  • Nevalhaia Le Chalet · hotel · 3.2 km from the finish
  • Le Caribou · hotel · 3.5 km from the finish
  • Le Panestrel · hotel · 3.7 km from the finish
  • Les Escondus · hotel · 3.8 km from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
1 h 24 min

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 8.1 km from 0.4 to 8.5 km
  • 18 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 11.7 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h+
  • 2% gravel or unpaved road sections

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