Col de l'Aravis - Flumet

Let"s take the pont over the river Arly in Flumet as the starting place for the southside climb of the Col de l"Aravis. Warm yourself up during the first 1,5 kilomter, till after the tunnel and relax during the next 3 kilometers, along the Gorges de l"Arondine, in which you will gain 0 (zero) kilometers in height. Till you turn left over the river, and the climb really starts. Soon, you reach La Giettaz, after which you get a kilomter of 8%. The climb % goes up and down, so it might be difficult to find a good rythm. 1 km from the top, you get the hardest part, with 4 hairpins bringing you about 40 meter further up in a couple of hundred meters. But finish is close now and you can see the top in front of you, in between the meadows.

The Col de l'Aravis is situated in Rhone-Alpes and belongs to the Alps . Starting from Flumet, the Col de l'Aravis ascent is 11.5 km long. Over this distance, you climb 576 heightmeters. The average percentage thus is 5 %.

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:
Tour de France 2006 :  Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Morzine on 19/07/2006

Story by Michael Ripsher from London, United Kingdom, submitted on 22/09/2009

A deceiving climb because it rises steadily from Bonneville before dropping down again before the climb really starts. Very picturesque, I had perfect blue skies and stunning views of pastures, villages and snowcapped mountains. With cow bells ringing in your ears. Reminded me of watching Heidi when I was young! The climb is nice and steady, this is a cat 1 climb, not a cat 2 as stated above. Technical descent down to Le Cluzac where you can then climb the Col du Columbiere or Col du Aravis.

My personal climb rating:

Story by Graham Taylor from Bracknell, UK, submitted on 06/03/2007

Went up on May 28th early afternoon as had been raining. Felt hard for a cat 2 climb. Lovely descent to La Clusaz only for rain to start again and transport back in Flumet! Climb in the rain OK but to avoid freezing on descent brakes on harder than normal and pedalling to try and get warm.

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