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Cycling up Col des prés
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Description
A climb that will take you to the heart of the Bauges Natural Park and open up the possibility of numerous loops back to Chambéry.
While the first part, which is shared with the ascent to La Féclaz, takes you out of Chambéry, it's from St Jean d'Arvey that you begin to discover the mountain atmosphere of the Bauges massif. Beware: this ascent, though modest in terms of numbers, is not to be taken lightly, with a thalweg to cross the bridge over the Leysse and reach Thoiry, then a substantial final stretch with passages at 10%.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Updated by
Agence alpine des territoires - 17/11/2025
www.agate-territoires.fr
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Open period
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Navigable with no snow cover, subject to weather conditions.
Check beforehand with the Tourist Office for up-to-date information on weather conditions.
Contact
Phone : 04 79 33 42 47
Email : accueil.chambery@chamberymontagnes.com
Website : https://www.chamberymontagnes.com
Location complements
From Chambéry, take the voie verte to St Alban en Leysse, then the village of St Jean d'Arvey and turn off towards Thoiry.
Topo guides and map references
Map references :
Savoie Mont Blanc cycling map available from the tourist office.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
From Chambéry, the ascent to the pass is a two-stage process. First, you need to reach St Alban Leysse (accessible via the Leysse greenway), then take the D912. This first part is the same as the ascent of the Col de Plainpalais, where you'll follow the road markings.
When you arrive in the center of Saint Jean d'Arvey
turn right towards the village of Thoiry on the D206 to reach the final section. You'll then have a dozen kilometers of ascent to reach the pass. This second section is equipped with milestones to indicate your progress.
Animals
Yes
Data author
