French Alps, France · from Jausiers
Col de la Bonette
The Bonette from Jausiers is a 22 km journey into genuine high-mountain wilderness, finishing at the 2,715 m col — with the optional Cime de la Bonette loop touching 2,802 m, the highest paved road in France. Gradients stay moderate; distance and altitude make the climb.
Summit elevation: 2715 m
Route overview
Col de la Bonette · from Jausiers
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 33 detected hairpins marked (filled markers are tighter than 15 m radius). Use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
Measured road detail
Taken from the Col de la Bonette track used by the 3D flyover: from Jausiers · 1,357 road points
- Elevation range
- 1165 → 2802 m
- Hairpins detected
- 33
- Tightest hairpin
- 5.9 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Col de la Bonette
- 2.6 km · 1302 mRight · 7.5 m
- 6.2 km · 1649 mRight · 5.9 m
- 10.4 km · 1634 mLeft · 9.3 m
- 10.8 km · 1671 mLeft · 9.4 m
- 26.3 km · 2761 mLeft · 7.4 m
- 26.5 km · 2786 mRight · 8.4 m
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Col de la Bonette?
Enter your power and weight. A physics engine calculates your estimated time against the gradient profile.
Predict your
performance.
See how power and weight affect your time on a real climb.
*Demo simulation uses standard road bike physics (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004).
Col de la Bonette and the Tour
The road was completed in the early 1960s and the Tour crossed it for the first time in 1962, with Federico Bahamontes leading over. It remains one of the rarest and most prestigious summits in Tour history.
The Tour has crossed the Bonette only a handful of times — 1962, 1964, 1993, 2008 and 2024. Richard Carapaz led over the Cime de la Bonette in 2024.
1:02:15 for the 22.8 km ascent from Jausiers to the 2,802 m loop on Stage 19 of the 2024 Tour de France.
Riding it yourself
When to go
Open roughly mid-June to mid-October. Weather at 2,700 m turns fast; early summer rides can still meet snowbanks. Start early — afternoon storms are the norm in July and August.
Base & logistics
Jausiers in the Ubaye valley is the base for this side, Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée for the south. No water after Lans; carry two bottles minimum. The Cime loop adds ~90 vertical metres and is worth it for the highest-road photo.
FAQ
How long is the Col de la Bonette climb?
From Jausiers, the climb is about 22 km with roughly 1488 m of elevation gain at 6.8% average gradient (based on the simplified profile used by this simulator; published figures vary slightly by source).
How long does it take to cycle up Col de la Bonette?
It depends almost entirely on your power-to-weight ratio. Use the simulator on this page: enter your FTP and weight, and a physics model (air resistance, rolling resistance, gravity) estimates your time on the gradient profile.
Can I see Col de la Bonette in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 1,357 routed points covering from Jausiers, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Col de la Bonette have?
33 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 5.9 m radius. They are marked on the 2D sketch and ridden in order in the 3D flyover.
How accurate is the time simulation?
The simulator uses a simplified segment profile and standard road bike assumptions (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004, 8 kg bike). It does not model wind, drafting, altitude, surface or pacing errors, so treat the result as a realistic estimate, not a guarantee.
How should I train for Col de la Bonette?
Sustained climbs reward steady threshold and sweet spot work plus a power-to-weight improvement over weeks, not days. TrainCraft builds structured cycling training plans and adapts them when you miss sessions, using fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB).
More famous climbs
Preparing for this climb?
A climb like this is won weeks in advance. TrainCraft builds a structured plan around your FTP and available hours, and adapts it when you miss a workout.
Start Training FreeThe profile is simplified into 22 segments for simulation; real gradients vary metre by metre. Stats shown are derived from this simulated profile and closely match commonly published figures. Time estimates assume standard road bike physics and no wind.
Training for a climb like this?
TrainCraft builds structured training plans and adapts them when life gets in the way — real fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB), visual workout builder, Strava & Garmin sync. Free to start.