{"id":8675,"date":"2022-10-06T23:09:39","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T21:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=8675"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:32:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:32:48","slug":"climb-to-plateau-des-saix-in-savoie-mont-blanc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/klim-naar-plateau-des-saix-in-savoie-mont-blanc","title":{"rendered":"Climb to Plateau des Saix (Samo\u00ebns 1600) in Savoie-Mont Blanc"},"content":{"rendered":"

The region Savoie-Mont Blanc<\/a> houses many beautiful climbs with a tour-like past. Not only the Col de Joux-Plane<\/a> Is there such a one? The Galibier<\/a> It is allowed to be included. Climbing is often used as the penultimate challenge in a stage. Also the Mont-Sal\u00e8ve<\/a> There may be one that is affectionately called the Geneve mountain hut. It is beautiful, so it must be. But is there still room for a newcomer? For a hobby (or sport) where N+1 is the motto, it doesn\u2019t matter. The more steep trails, the better. In Samo\u00ebns, at the foot of the Joux-Plane, you can also visit the south side of the village. There is the sign \u2018Samo\u00ebns 1600\u2019. Climbing to Plateau des Saix. According to the insiders, this is the new arrival up the mountain. We went up and one thing is for sure: what a climb this is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Text and photos: Sander Kolsloot<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climb to Samo\u00ebns 1600: Plateau des Saix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On an early Monday morning, with just a few more hours left in the day, in the beautiful Savoie-Mont Blanc region<\/a>, I\u2019m driving through Samo\u00ebns. It\u2019s early September. The temperature is still a little chilly in the morning. Sleeveless tops are a must, but they\u2019re nice in the shorts. So it\u2019s perfect for spending the autumn. I\u2019m not at all afraid of getting cold today. Not only does the weather report look very positive (and warm), but the climb to Plateau des Saix is my goal and I\u2019m already getting quite warm about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The start of the climb to Samo\u00ebns 1600: Plateau des Saix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Normally, I find climbs between five and seven percent average to be the most enjoyable. Often, these are nice runs. You can find a nice rhythm and pedal uphill while also enjoying the view in the meantime. The Col de la Joux Verte from Morzine is such a climb. The climb to Plateau des Saix is of a different category. For ten kilometers, it is downhill. It is comparable to the Passo Giau. A climb that I and many others with me will remember forever. Pure pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Joux Plane in the background makes for some good shots<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Steep forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first two kilometers of this killer trail are something to cherish. You drive among the trees and nothing gives away that you\u2019re about to be laid down on the bench. The percentages are between six and eight percent, and you can still get into a good rhythm. The road turns towards a few clustered houses and that\u2019s when the real misery begins. You see it in front of you and think: \u2018do I really have to go up there?\u2019 The answer is: \u2018yes\u2019. The difference from the first two kilometers is quite abrupt and therefore really painful. Twelve percent and more alternate on my Wahoo. It really hurts and my leg speed and pace quickly drop to a walking pace. What keeps me going: the view of the beautiful Joux-Plane on the other side of the valley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Joux Plane<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Samo\u00ebns
Beautiful, steep winding paths<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Steep forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The closer you get to the top, the more you think: how long is it going to take? When you ride the bike up to the plateau of Saix, be sure to use good resistance so you can keep pedaling up the hill. In my case, I had a good one on the rental bike, a Giant. Combined with the 32(!) mm tires, it was comfortable to ride up the hill. That didn\u2019t make much of a difference to the gradient, unfortunately. The climb has only a few nice hairpin bends, but given the incline, I\u2019m a bit less attentive to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Club Med<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons why the tourism agency is busy with this climb is the presence of a Club Med. I was told this in advance and when I saw the sign referring to this \u2018Club\u2019, I thought: I\u2019m here! But that\u2019s not true at all. The top of the climb is a bit higher, in the middle of the plateau, where in winter it\u2019s probably very crowded. On a late summer Monday, there\u2019s not much going on. Not even a cup of coffee. Here, they\u2019ve finished dealing 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, there\u2019s a spacious parking lot. It seems that a possible finish of the tour will be here. The view is certainly spectacular. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Samoens<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Route to Samo\u00ebns 1600 \u2013 Plateau des Saix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is the route to the Plateau des Saix. A beautiful but challenging climb in the Savoie-Mont Blanc<\/a> region. If you want to know more about that region, check out the website of the tourism bureau. We have already done a few nice routes ourselves, such as the Joux Plane<\/a> and the Classic Galibier<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n