Col de l'Aravis - Thônes

Some might the start of the Col des Aravis in St-Jean-de- Sixt, others in La Clusaz. The profile here starts the climb more than 6 kilometes before these villages, in Thônes, making the total climb about 19 kilometers long. The first part, before reaching St-Jean is very irregular, but never too steep. The second part, between St Jean and La Clusaz is even easier, at 3% average. Real climbing only starts after La Clusaz. kilometer futher up, at Les Etages, you can take the Col de la Croix de Fry to the right. Keep left for about 3,5 more kilometers to the top of the Aravis. Surrounded by mountain tops to your left and right (it"s a passway...) and meadows, you take the 6 remaining hairpins. An enjoyable ride and never too hard.

The Col de l'Aravis is situated in Rhone-Alpes and belongs to the Alps . Starting from Thônes, the Col de l'Aravis ascent is 18.9 km long. Over this distance, you climb 866 heightmeters. The average percentage thus is 4.6 %.

Look for other sides to climb the Col de l'Aravis.

Since 2005, the Col de l'Aravis will be/was climbed in the following big tour stages:
Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré 2011 :  Les Gets - Le Collet d’Allevard on 11/06/2011
Tour de France 2010 :  Morzine > Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne on 13/07/2010

Story by Marie from Ft. Lauderdale, United States, submitted on 14/11/2010

We climbed up to the summit of the Col de Aravis to watch Stage 9 of the 2010 Tour de France. We stayed in La Clusaz and rode the D909 from town to the summit, about 6 miles of steady climbing. It took me about 55 minutes from town to the summit (a category 2 climb), and it only took the peloton 22 minutes. Thats the difference between a pro and a girl from Florida! But it was great, both my ride and watching the Tour. The guys in my group climbed faster than I did. We descended back into La Clusaz in minutes. Great riding.

My personal climb rating:

Story by Andrew Wright from , England, submitted on 27/10/2007

My friend and I climbed this in May of 2007. From La Flumet to La Clusaz and back. Nice steady climb - not too difficult. The only problem was that it began to snow as we reached the col for the second time and the descent into La Flumet was about as cold as it gets. We had to sit in the car for half an hour before my hands were warm enough to drive.

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