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Col de la Couillole from Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée

17 km road cycling route1,173 m climbing1 h 11 minGPX

Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, France · Road

A mountainous 17 km road cycling route from Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée through Roure, Roubion and Villars, with 1,173 m of climbing over La Frachetta.

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.

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At a glance

Best for
Short, climbing-heavy rides
Distance
16.6 km
Point to point
Elevation gain
1,173 m
71 m per km
Riding time
1 h 11 min
moving time, estimated
Difficulty
Moderate
Bike
Road bike
Surface
Paved
Best months
Aug to Oct
Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée climate, 10 years
Navigation
GPX download
free, no sign-in
Start → finish
Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée

Map and elevation profile

Col de la Couillole
Photo: Jpmgir · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,173 m
Distance
17 km
05001,0001,5002,000m0 km51017 km1,674 m · highest, at 16.6 kmStartFinish

Route description

  1. Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée
  2. La Frachetta
  3. Rourekm 4
  4. Roubionkm 11
  5. Villarskm 14
  6. Les Vauteskm 14

The route starts at 501 m in Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée and climbs steadily for 16.5 km to Col de la Couillole at 1674 m. The average gradient is 7.1%, with sections reaching a maximum of 10.7%. The ascent is mostly uphill with 98% climbing, and only 1% flat or downhill.

The entire 16.4 km are on main roads, predominantly the M 30, without any cycle lanes. The surface is fully paved. After Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, there is a 6.3 km stretch without any café, shop, or water between km 4.3 and 10.6. Several places to eat and drink are close to the route, including restaurants at 4.3 km (Auberge Lo Robur), 10.7 km (Le Païsot), and a restaurant and convenience store at the start. Drinking water is available at km 0, 10.7, and 15.1. Toilets are found near the start and at 11.5 km.

The peak of l'Arghias lies 200 m off the road near km 16.1. The final stop after the climb is the Auberge Quintessence restaurant, just off route at 16.4 km.

Why ride this route?

  • Climbs La Frachetta (16.5 km at 7.1 %).
  • Tops out at 1,674 m, 16.5 km in.

Highlights

  • Col de la Couillole summit at 1674 m
  • Steep sections up to 10.7% gradient
  • Restaurants at 4.3, 10.7, and 16.4 km
  • Peak l'Arghias close to route at 16.1 km

Along the route

Measured from the route line, the Copernicus elevation model and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Roure 3.6 km
  2. Roubion 10.7 km
  3. Villars 13.6 km
  4. Les Vautes 13.7 km

On the road

  • Water 0 km
  • Restaurant 0 km
  • Viewpoint 0 km
  • Snack chez coco (Restaurant) 0 km
  • Water 0 km
  • Water 0.2 km
  • Auberge du Moulin (Restaurant) 10.6 km
  • Le Païsot (Restaurant) 10.7 km
  • Water 10.7 km
  • Water 10.7 km
  • Water 10.7 km
  • Viewpoint 10.7 km

Climbs

Climbs in ride order: where each starts, what this ride climbs, and the full named ascent
ClimbStarts atOn this rideFull ascentTop on this ride
La Frachetta0 km16.5 km · 1173 m · 7.1 % · max 10.7 %16.5 km · 1173 m · 7.1 %1674 m

High point 1674 m at 16.5 km; low point 501 m. Passes beneath Pointe de Campanier, Le Testal, Le Puy.

On this ride: the part this route climbs, cut from its own elevation profile. Full ascent: the whole named climb, measured the same way on every ride that uses it (its climb page).

La Frachetta · full ascent, starts at 0 km

16.5 km at 7.1% · 1173 m
6008001,0001,2001,4001,600m7.9%8.4%8.8%8.9%5.7%7.6%7.7%6.5%7.7%6.4%6.8%7.3%8.3%0 km12345678910111213141516.4 km1,674 msteepest 8.9%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Know before you go

  • 6.3 km without café, shop, or water from km 4.3 to 10.6
  • 16.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes

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

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Jpmgir · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: MOSSOT · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

About this route

Route line
Routed on OpenStreetMap roads with bicycle routing, then measured like a recorded ride.
Elevation
Recalculated from the Copernicus GLO-90 terrain model every 50 m, not the device’s barometer.
Best months
Ten years of ERA5 weather for Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée (Open-Meteo).
GPX
Generated from the route line: track points only, no timestamps or personal data.
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