Barcelonnette Index of Cols



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Col d'Allos (2247m)


Used by the Tour de France in 2000, the Col d'Allos is a wooded climb at the bottom though the trees disappear to leave the last few desolate kilometres to the top.

Open the diary pages See July 2000

North - Barcelonnette (1130m), 21km, D1140m

South - Colmars (1235m), 23km, D1040m

Click to view image The view west from the top of the Col. The road descending to the ski resort of the Foux-d'Allos.
Click to view image A view of a bridge on the northern ascent when climbing from Barcelonnette.

 

Cime de la Bonette (2802m)


Famous for being the highest pass in the Alps. Stunning scenery, and a distinctive pyramidal peak at the top. The last kilometre is horribly steep but this can be avoided by turning over the 2715m Col de la Bonette, to avoid 'climbing the pyramid'.

Open the diary pages See July 2000

North - Jausiers (1213m), 24km, D1610m

South - St Etienne de Tinee (1150m), 25km, D1705m

Click to view image The view of the distinctive pyramidal peak that marks the top of the climb.
Click to view image The view from the top of the climb, with the road dropping away towards Nice.
Click to view image The view at around 2100m when descending towards Barcelonnette.
Click to view image Descending at 2300m towards Nice, just before the deserted Camp des Fourches. The mountains behind are 2700m in altitude.
Click to view image The view of the actual 2715 metre Col de la Bonette.

 

Col de la Cayolle (2326m)


The Col de la Cayolle is one of Cols used in the Route des Grand Alps. A very pretty climb and a stunning gorge on the northern road.

Open the diary pages See July 2000

North - Barcelonnette (1130m), 30km, D1190m

South - Guillaumes (800m), 32km, D1590m

Click to view image The final haipins when climbing from the south.
Click to view image Descending towards Barcelonnette.
Click to view image The road dropping through the narrow gorge on the northern descent.

 

Col des Champs (2087m)


A quiet Col situated south of Barcelonnette. The western ascent climbs through forest for most of its 12 kilometres. From the east, it is much more desolate near the top as the road winds its way under the impressive 2500m Aiguilles de Pelens.

Open the diary pages See July 2000

East - St-Martin d'Entraunes (1000m), 17km, D1100m

West - Colmars (1230m), 12km, D850m

Click to view image The view of the Col when climbing from the east.
Click to view image Getting near to the top when climbing from Colmars.
Click to view image Looking towards the 2500m Aiguilles de Pelens

 

Col de Larche (1991m)


A long climb from both sides though never very steep. The most impressive section is just after Argentera on the western ascent through Italy. Ten hairpins in under a kilometre and numerous marmots living between the hairpins.

Open the diary pages See July 2000

East - Barcelonnette (1130m), 32km, D900m

West - Vinadio (900m), 32km, D1100m

Click to view image Looking east from the Col.
Click to view image The hairpins above Argentera.
Click to view image Looking towards the Col when climbing from Barcelonnette.

 

Col de la Lombarde (2350m)


A tough climb from both sides with some very pretty stretches of road.

Open the diary pages See July 2000

North - Vinadio (900m), 22km, D1500m

South - Isola (875m), 22km, D1475m

Click to view image The view towards Vinadio from the Col.
Click to view image Descending to Vinadio.
Click to view image The road winding its way towards Vinadio.
Click to view image Again, descending to Vinadio.

 

Col de Vars (2108m)


Probably the most cycled descent into Barcelonnette as this Col is part of the Route des Grand Alps. When cycling to the north, the next mountain pass would be the Col d'Izoard.

North - Guillestre (1000m), 20km, D1150m

South - Barcelonnette (1130m), 30km, D1000m