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Col de la Forclaz from Martigny

Martigny, SwitzerlandRoad

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.

12 km
Distance
1,053 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
View of Switzerland taken during ISS Expedition 65. valley Val de Trient, village Trient, Switzerland, Trientgletscher - Glacier du Trient, Plateau du Trient, Glacier des Grands, Les Grandes Otanes, L
Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,053 m
Distance
12 km
Elevation (m)05001,0001,5002,0000 km2.5 km5 km7.5 km10 km12 kmHighest point1,529 m at 11.9 kmStart0 kmFinish12 km

Route overview

This ride suits cyclists looking for a short but very steep climb with over 1000 m of elevation in under 12 km.

Col de la Forclaz climb from Martigny, Switzerland, 11.9 km with 1053 m gain.

The route starts in Martigny at 475 m and climbs steadily for 11.9 km to reach 1529 m at Col de la Forclaz. The main climbing section begins at 1.6 km and extends for 10.2 km, with an average gradient of 10.1% and a maximum of 22.2%. The climb is mostly on paved surfaces (93%), with minor gravel and unmapped sections (3% each). Road types along the route include 6 km of minor roads, 3.2 km on main roads (all without cycle lanes and with speed limits of 80 km/h or more), 1.7 km of quiet streets, and 0.7 km of path. The longest named road is route 203, ridden for 3.7 km. The route passes several places such as Plan-Cerisier at 2.7 km, Martigny-Croix also at 2.7 km, Le Brocard and Pied du Château at 3.9 km, La Fontaine at 4.8 km, and Le Cergneux at 5.8 km. There are facilities to refuel at the start, including cafés and a supermarket. A café named Le Tambourin is 0.1 km off route near the start, and a restaurant, Le Drapeau Suisse, is near 9.5 km. There is a long stretch of 6.4 km without cafés, shops, or drinking water between 2.6 km and 9 km. Bailout is possible at Martigny-Croix 2.2 km from the start.

Highlights

  • Col de la Forclaz summit at 1529 m
  • Steep climb up to 22.2% gradient
  • Le Brocard and Pied du Château at 3.9 km
  • Route 203 main road section

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Plan-Cerisier 2.7 km
  2. Martigny-Croix 2.7 km
  3. La Crette 2.8 km
  4. Le Perrey 3 km
  5. Les Pâles-Plan Cerisier 3 km
  6. Les Rappes 3.3 km
  7. Le Brocard 3.9 km
  8. Pied du Château 3.9 km
  9. La Fontaine 4.8 km
  10. Le Cergneux 5.8 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Plan-Cerisier climb1.6 km10.2 km1038 m10.1 %22.2 %1529 m

High point 1529 m at 11.9 km; low point 475 m.

Plan-Cerisier climb · starts at 1.6 km

10.2 km at 10.1% · 1038 m
600800100012001400ELEVATION (M)11%10.0%17%8.4%7.7%7.9%12%9.8%0 km12345678910.2 kmDISTANCE (KM)Plan-Cerisier climb · 1,526 mSTEEPEST 17.5%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
51% minor road · 27% main road · 14% quiet street · 6% path
Main roads
3.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
3.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
203 (4 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
87% climbing · 1% descending · 13% flat
Steep sections
9.4 km over 5% · 7.6 km over 8% · 4.8 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 kmDrinking water · 60 m off route
  2. 0.1 kmLe Tambourin · café · on the route
  3. 0.2 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  4. 0.2 kmPharmacie Centrale · pharmacy · 40 m off route
  5. 0.3 kmMigros · supermarket · 90 m off route
  6. 0.8 kmBike' N Joy cycle center Sàrl · bike shop · on the route
  7. 2.5 kmTamoil · petrol station · 100 m off route
  8. 9.5 kmLe Drapeau Suisse · restaurant · on the route
  9. 11.9 kmDrinking water · 130 m off route
  10. 11.9 kmToilets · 160 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 2.2 km — Martigny-Croix (halt), 30 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 0.2 km — Station météorologique historique (monument)
  • 3.9 km — Château de Saint-Jean (ruins)

At the start

  • Taverne de la Tour · café · 100 m
  • Le Tambourin · café · 110 m
  • Boulangerie Michellod · bakery · 140 m
  • Le tramway · bakery · 170 m
  • Migros · supermarket · 150 m

At the finish

  • Restaurant du col de la Forclaz · restaurant · 140 m

Stay after this ride

  • Camping de l'Arpille · campsite · 90 m from the finish
  • Hôtel col de la Forclaz · hotel · 130 m from the finish
  • Gîte de la Gardienne · hostel · 620 m from the finish
  • Auberge du Mont Blanc · hotel · 640 m from the finish
  • Hôtel La Grande Ourse · hotel · 660 m from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
51 min

Know before you go

  • 6.4 km longest stretch without café, shop, or water (km 2.6 to 9)
  • 3.2 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 3.2 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
  • Maximum gradient 22.2% steepness

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

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