When the Tour de France schedule for 2022 was unveiled, it suddenly stood out that the Tour would have a nice loop through Haute Savoie in the Savoie-Mont Blanc region makes. If anywhere is a brilliant destination for a cycling holiday, it is here. Of course, you can get your cycling heart racing with climbs like the Joux Plane, Col de la Croisette and the Colombiere. All famous names from (recent) Tours de France. This year, this region has several start and finish locations. Not only is there a finish in Chatel Portes de Soleil and one at a nice altitude in Mégève. We take a look at some nice climbs where you can cycle nicely in Haute Savoie!
Altiport Mégève
It is probably not the prettiest climb but this challenge will give the Tour riders a wake-up call. After the rest day, they will ride via Lake Geneva to the foot of this, 19-kilometre climb that climbs at an average of 4.1%. The altitude of this climb is only 1400 metres. For the real pros a 'breeze' but for the average tourist it is long work. The devil is in kilometres 14 to 16, where the percentages are 6.5 to 7% on average.
Col de la Colombiere
This is perhaps the most beautiful climb in this region. The 17-kilometre version from Scionzier (from the north) is definitely challenging at 6.5% average. A beautiful climb. The devil of this col is in the last seven kilometres. There's not a metre below 7% there, and with a long stretch of almost 9%, it's real toil. A challenge of sorts. Unfortunately not in the Tour this year, but if you are in this region, this one should not be missing from your list.
Col de la Colombière, Marnaz, France
- Distance: 14.2 km, Elevation: 997 m, Avg. Grade: 7.1 %
Solaison
While you are in Scionzier, you can also cycle to the Plateau de Solaison. If you don't yet find enough challenge in the Colombier, this is one to sit down for. Thuet is the starting point for the toughest variant, where you have to cover almost 9% on average, with outliers to 12% and for over 12 kilometres. The views are stunning, but this is truly a monster. Only in the last 1.5 kilometres do you get some rest from this climb. At 1509 metres, the line finally lies
