The region Savoie-Mont Blanc is home to many stunning climbs with a tour history. Not only the Col de Joux-Plane is one such. The Galibier may be there. Climbs that are often used as the second-to-last test in a stage. The Mont-Salève may be there, affectionately called the Geneva House Mountain. Wonderful, then. So is there still room for a newcomer? For a hobby (or sport) where N+1 is the credo, it doesn't matter. The more steep trails, the better. In Samoëns, at the foot of the Joux-Plane, you can also look for the south side of the village. There you will find the sign 'Samoens 1600'. Climb to Plateau des Saix. According to the insiders, this is the new arrival uphill. We went up and one thing is for sure: what a climb this is!
Text and photos: Sander Kolsloot
Climb to Samoëns 1600: Plateau des Saix
On an early Monday morning, with a few hours to spare in the beautiful Savoie-Mont Blanc region, I roll through Samoëns. It is early September. The temperature is still a touch chilly in the morning. Sleeve work, but nice in shorts. Perfect for spending autumn. I am not at all worried about getting cold today. Not only does the weather forecast look very positive (and warm). The climb to Plateau des Saix is my goal and that already warms me up in advance.
Normally, I like climbs between five and seven per cent on average the most. Often those are nice runners. You can find a nice rhythm and pedal up, while enjoying the views in the meantime. The Col de la Joux Verte from Morzine is one such climb. The climb to Plateau des Saix is of a different category. For ten kilometres, it is gruelling. It is similar to the Passo Giau. A climb that I and many with me will remember forever. Pure pain.
Steep by
The first two kilometres of this killer should be cherished. You ride among the trees and nothing betrays that you will soon be put on the rack. The percentages are between six and eight per cent and you can still get into a good rhythm then. The road turns towards a few collected houses and that's where the sheer misery begins. You see it in front of you and think, 'do I really have to go up there?' The answer is: 'yes'. The difference from the introductory two kilometres is quite abrupt and therefore really painful. Twelve per cent and more alternate on my Wahoo. It really does hurt for a while and my leg pace and speed quickly drop to a walking pace. What keeps me going: the view of the beautiful Joux-Plane across the valley.
Steep by
The closer you get to the top, the more you think: how much longer? If you ride your bike up the climb to Plateau des Saix, do stick with the right gear so you can keep pedalling nicely uphill. In my case, on the rental bike, a Giant, I had a good one to go. Combined with the 32(!)mm tyres, it was comfortable riding uphill. That did little to detract from the gradient, unfortunately. The climb has only a few nice hairpin bends, but given the gradient, I took a little less notice.
Club Med
One of the reasons why the tourism office is busy on this climb is the presence of a Club Med. I had been told this beforehand, and upon seeing the sign referring to this 'Club' I think: I'm here! But nothing could be further from the truth. The top of the climb is a bit higher, in the middle of the plateau, where it's likely to be packed in winter. On a late summer Monday, there is little going on. Even a cup of coffee is out of the question. Here, people have finished with tourists for a while and are preparing for the (hopefully) long winter, with lots of snow. Just before you reach the plateau, you drive through a tunnel. Just before that is a spacious car park. It looks like a possible tour finish will be here. In any case, the view is stunning.
Route to Samoëns 1600 - Plateau des Saix
Herewith the route to the Plateau des Saix. A beautiful but challenging climb in the Savoie-Mont Blanc region. Want to know more about that region? Then check out the tourism office's site. We have already driven some great routes ourselves, including the Joux Plane and the Classic Galibier!
Herewith also the altitude profile of the climb to Plateau des Saix - Samoëns 1600
Plateau des Saix Samoens 1600, Samoëns, France
- Distance: 9.3 km, Elevation: 896 m, Avg. Grade: 9.5 %
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