Road · France
Col de Joux Plane from Samoëns
A mountainous 12 km road cycling route from Samoëns through Les Moulins, Les Fontanys and La Grangiat, with 990 m of climbing over Joux Plane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 12.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 990 m
- Riding time
- 53 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Best months
- May to Oct
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Samoëns
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 990 m
- 12 km
Route description
- Samoëns
- Joux Plane
- Les Moulins
- Les Fontanys
- La Grangiat
- Les Combes
- Le Coudray
- Chantemerle
- Les Turches
Starting at Samoëns (709 m), the route ascends 12.4 km to Col de Joux Plane at 1699 m. The climb begins right after 0.3 km and extends almost the entire route with an average gradient of 8.2% and a maximum of 17.9%. This sustained climb has 10.3 km over 5% gradient, including 7.9 km over 8%. The first half gains 40% of the total elevation.
The surface is mostly paved (93%) with a section of 7% gravel or unpaved over 0.8 km. Nearly all the distance is on minor roads (92%), mainly the D 354 for 7 km. There is 0.8 km on paths. It passes through Les Moulins, Les Fontanys, La Grangiat, Les Plaignes, Les Combes, Le Coudray, Lachat, Chantemerle, Les Turches, and Mévoutier. Water is available at 0.8 km and 9.5 km but expect no café, shop, or water from 1.7 km to 9.5 km (7.8 km).
At the start in Samoëns there are cafés, a market, bike shops and toilets. At the finish near Col de Joux Plane a restaurant is close by. The route lies beneath peaks including La Bourgeoise (1772 m) at 9.7 km, Pointe de Chamossière (1889 m) at 10.7 km, Tête du Vuargne (1825 m) and Le Ranfolly (1770 m) at 11.8 km.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Joux Plane (12 km at 8.2 %).
- Tops out at 1,699 m, 12.4 km in.
Highlights
- Col de Joux Plane summit at 1699 m
- Start in Samoëns with cafés and shops
- Viewpoint La Jaÿsinia near 1.7 km
- Peaks La Bourgeoise and Pointe de Chamossière nearby
Along the route
Places passed
On the road
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joux Plane | 0.3 km | 12.1 km · 988 m · 8.2 % · max 17.9 % | 12 km · 988 m · 8.2 % | 1699 m |
Joux Plane · full ascent, starts at 0.3 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water for 7.8 km from 1.7 km to 9.5 km
- 7.9 km with gradient over 8%
- 2.5 km with gradient over 10%
- 7% of route is gravel or unpaved
