French Alps, France · from Scionzier
Col de la Colombière
The Colombière from Scionzier climbs in three distinct steps: a forested opening, a false-flat respite through Le Reposoir, and a hard exposed finale where the road cuts beneath limestone cliffs at 8-10%. The rhythm changes are what make it a racer's climb.
Summit elevation: 1613 m
How fast would you climb Col de la Colombière?
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 Colombière and the Tour
A Tour regular since 1960 with over 20 crossings, the Colombière is the gateway climb of the Aravis and a fixture of stages finishing in Le Grand-Bornand or La Clusaz.
In 2018 Julian Alaphilippe launched his King of the Mountains campaign over the Colombière, and in 2021 Pogačar dropped the entire GC group on its slopes before soloing to Le Grand-Bornand.
Get a km-by-km pacing guideRiding it yourself
When to go
Open roughly May to November. The final kilometres are fully exposed to the south — hot at midday in summer, glorious in September light.
Base & logistics
Scionzier in the Arve valley is the start of this harder side; Cluses is the practical base. Water in Le Reposoir village. Descend to Le Grand-Bornand and return over the Col des Aravis for the classic loop.
FAQ
How long is the Col de la Colombière climb?
From Scionzier, the climb is about 15.7 km with roughly 1111 m of elevation gain at 7.1% 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 Colombière?
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.
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 Colombière?
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 26 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.