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Cycling the Cols of Europe PDF Printable Version

 

CYCLING THE COLS (MOUNTAIN PASSES) OF EUROPE

Barry and Margaret Williamson

We climbed the following 70 cols (mountain passes) in the period 1995 to 2002.

We started in the French Alps one summer and used the motorhome as a base. Over a period of nearly 3 months we slowly made our way east, through France, Italy, Switzerland and into Austria, climbing 38 cols, totalling 145,000 feet (43,940 m). They included the great classics of the Alps (many feature in the Tour de France): Alpe d'Huez, Col d'Iseron, Col de la Madeleine, St Gotthard, Cormet de Roselend, Simplon, Great St Bernard, Stelvio, Timmelsjoch, Rettenbach Glacier and Grossglockner. The Stelvio Pass at 9,100 ft is the second highest mountain pass in Europe.

Later climbsC2_Europes_Highest_Road[1].jpg in the Pyrenees, on the way back from a motorhome tour of Morocco, added to the total and we returned to the French Alps in the Autumn of 2001. We based ourselves in the valley of Barcelonette iGreece_-_the_Road_from_Sparta_4[1].jpgn the Alpes Maritimes, surrounded by 8 cols of over 7,000 feet (over 2,000 metres). Many of these passes were built by Napoleon when Italy, just over the mountains, was seen as a threat. We rode 5 of the cols including the ascent of the Col de la Bonette, Europe's highest at 9,250 ft (2,800 m - image on the left).

The list is rounded off with more recent climbing in Greece, much of it in our favourite cycling area, the Greek Peloponnese, the southern part of the Greek mainland. The image on the right shows a climb in the Taigetos mountains above Sparta.

The total height actually climbed by bicycle was 261,184 ft (79,146 m), an average of 3,731 ft (1,131 m) per climb. The total height of all the cols was 466,100 ft or 16 times the height of Mount Everest!

CYCLING COLS

SUMMER IN THE EUROPEAN ALPS 

Barry and Margaret Williamson

CYCLING COLS: SUMMER IN THE EUROPEAN ALPS
Barry and Margaret Williamson
 
Date Location Start Place Height of Col Height Climbed Total Height Climbed
 
15 Jun Vallée de la Claré Briançon 7,260 ft 3,300 ft 3,300 ft
French Alps: A valley climb, going above the snow, near the Italian border.
 
19 Jun La Bérarde Bourg d'Oisons 5,740 ft 3,365 ft 6,665 ft
French Alps: A valley climb finishing just below the Massif des Ecrins.
 
20 Jun Alpe d'Huez Bourg d'Oisons 6,930 ft 4,555 ft 11,220 ft
French Alps: The classic Tour de France climb 21 hairpins up to the Alpe d'Huez ski resort.
 
21 Jun Col d'Ornon Bourg d'Oisons 4,520 ft 2,143 ft 13,363 ft
French Alps: A relatively low but very pleasant col used by the Tour de France.
 
22 Jun Col du Galibier Col du Lautaret 8,745 ft 1,945 ft 15,308 ft
French Alps: One col climbed from the top of another. Used by the Tour de France.
 
24 Jun Col d'Izoard Briançon 7,790 ft 3,830 ft 19,138 ft
French Alps: A wonderful finish, zig-zagging up
 
26 Jun Col d'Iseron Lanslevillard 9,410 ft 4,290 ft 23,428 ft
French Alps: The highest col we climbed on a road cut through snow drifts. Used by the Tour.
 
30 Jun Col du Petit St Bernard Séez 7,230 ft 4,255 ft 27,683 ft
French Alps on the Italian Border. A long climb to a snow-covered top with ruined monastery.
 
1 Jul Cormet de Roselend Séez 6,500 ft 3,530 ft 31,213 ft
French Alps: A very steep climb. Used by the Tour de France.
 
3 Jul Les Arcs 2000 Séez 6,600 ft 3,630 ft 34,843 ft
French Alps: A climb on a quiet narrow road to a ski resort.
 
6 Jul Col de la Madeleine Bellecombe 6,600 ft 5,775 ft 40,618 ft
French Alps: A long and hard climb on a quiet road. Used by the Tour de France.
 
7 Jul Val-Thorens Bellecombe 7,590 ft 6,105 ft 46,723 ft
French Alps: A long and hard climb to a ski resort. 50 miles and the highest climb.
 
11 Jul Furka Pass Realp 8,020 ft 3,070 ft 49,793 ft
Switzerland: A steep and testing climb.
 
12 Jul St Gotthard Pass Realp 6,965 ft 2,013 ft 51,806 ft
Switzerland on the Italian Border. The old road now replaced by a new road and a tunnel.
 
13 Jul Oberalp Pass Realp 6,732 ft 1,780 ft 53,586 ft
Switzerland:
 
14 Jul Nufenen Pass Ulrichen 8,185 ft 3,730 ft 57,316 ft
Switzerland: Out of the Rhone Valley
 
15 Jul Grimsel Pass Ulrichen 7,145 ft 2,805 ft 60,125 ft
Switzerland: Out of the Rhone Valley, near the Rhone Glacier.
 
16 Jul Simplon Pass Brig 6,615 ft 4,375 ft 64,496 ft
Switzerland: A very enjoyable climb, mainly on the old road.
 
18 Jul Zermatt Visp 5,315 ft 3,300 ft 67,796 ft
Switzerland: A long climb up the valley to Zermatt and the Matterhorn. Last few miles are car-free.
 
20 Jul Great St Bernard Pass Liddes 8,150 ft 3,715 ft 71,511 ft
Switzerland on the Italian Border. A superb climb to a magnificent col.
 
22 Jul Col de la Forclaz Martigny 5,035 ft 3,465 ft 74,976 ft
Switzerland on the French Border. A steep and very hot climb.
 
1 Aug Stelvio Pass Bormio 9,100 ft 5,055 ft 80,031 ft
Italy on the Swiss Border: Second highest col and a long hard climb in a magnificent setting.
 
2 Aug Foscagno Pass Bormio 7,560 ft 3,840 ft 83,871 ft
Italy on the Swiss Border.
 
4 Aug Passo di Garvia Pontedilegno 8,645 ft 4,505 ft 88,376 ft
Italy. A steep climb (up to 18%) on an unmade road in places.
 
6 Aug Passo di Sella Plan 7,405 ft 1,535 ft 89,911 ft
Italian Dolomites: Excellent riding.
  Passo di Pordoi Passo di Sella 7,390 ft 1,450 ft 91,361 ft
Italian Dolomites: The Pordoi was climbed after we had ridden over the Sella.
  Passo di Sella Passo di Pordoi 7,405 ft 1,470 ft 92,831 ft
Italian Dolomites: We returned over the Sella after climbing the Pordoi. 4,455 ft in total
 
8 Aug Passo di Gardena Plan 7,000 ft 1,122 ft 93,953 ft
Italian Dolomites: The col lies at the end of a high valley.
  Passo di Campolongo Passo di Gardena 6,190 ft 990 ft 94,943 ft
Italian Dolomites: The Campolongo was climbed after we had ridden over the Gardena.
  Passo di Gardena Passo Campolong 7,000 ft 1,783 ft 96,726 ft
Italian Dolomites: We returned over the Gardena after climbing the Campolongo. 3,895 ft in total.
 
10 Aug Schöneben Ski Station Reschen 7,095 ft 2,145 ft 98,871 ft
Italy: Ortler Alps near the Austrian border. Asteep climb through woods to a ski station.
 
15 Aug Kaunertal Prutz 7,260 ft 4,405 ft 103,276 ft
Austrian Tirol: A long climb up a valley.
 
17 Aug Timmelsjoch Sölden 8,285 ft 4,075 ft 107,351 ft
Austrian Tirol/Italian Border: A steep climb in places with 100m down at 2,100 m.
 
18 Aug Rettenbach Glacier Sölden 9,240 ft 4,700 ft 112,051 ft
Austrian Tirol (Otztal Arena): Highest col, fourth highest climb. 13 km at steady 13%.
 
22 Aug Zemmtal-Schlegeis LakeMayrhofen 5,940 ft 3,860 ft 115,911 ft
Austrian Tirol (Zillertal): Excellent climbing up to 12%. Toll Road, steep tunnels, track at end.
 
23 Aug Zillergrund (Barenbad) Mayrhofen 4,884 ft 2 805 ft 118,716 ft
Austrian Tirol (Zillertal): Valley of Peace. Limited car access via tunnel. No bike access at end!
 
27 Aug Clara Hut (Virgental) Matrei in Osttirol 6,930 ft 3,630 ft 122,346 ft
Austrian Tirol (Eastern): Valley climb (500m), very steep track then walk. Waterfalls & snow!
 
31 Aug Grossglockner Blick Döllach 6,765 ft 3,465 ft 125,811 ft
Austrian Alps (Hohe Tauern, Corinthia): Very steep (unremitting 12%), winding, 50% unsurfaced.
 
2 Sep Grossglockner Heiligenblut 8,266 ft 4,470 ft 130,281 ft
Austrian Alps (Hohe Tauern): Steep road Hochalpenstrasse Hochtor/track; snow on road; icicles in summit tunnel.
 
3 Sep Kaiser Franz Josefs Heiligenblut 7,820 ft 3,860 ft 134,141 ft
Austrian Alps (Hohe Tauern, Corinthia): Start as Höhe (glacier) (2,000ft in 75 mins). 3 hour round trip.
 
5 Sep Osnabrucker Hut Malta 6,765 ft 3,960 ft 138,101 ft
Austrian Alps (Hohe Tauern, Corinthia): Valley climb to 1,950 m then 8 km track to hut.
 
7 Sep Nockalm Road and Pass Malta 6,730 ft 6,600 ft 144,701 ft
Austrian Alps (Hohe Tauern, Corinthia): 1,300 m climb to col and 700 m climbing in forests (lost?)
 

 

CYCLING COLS

SUMMER IN THE PYRENEES

 

Barry and Margaret Williamson

CYCLING COLS: SUMMER IN THE PYRENEES
Barry and Margaret Williamson
 
Date Location Start Place Height of Col Height Climbed Total Height Climbed
 
22 May Pico del Bartolo Benicasim 2,500 ft 2,500 ft 147,203 ft
Spain. A climb from the coast into the Desierto de las Palmas. Up to 26% towards the top.
 
30 May Castigaleu Benabarre 2,750 ft 2,000 ft 149,203 ft
Spain. A circular ride in hills south of the Pyrenees.
 
2 June Poldes de Boi Pont de Suert 6,100 ft 3,300 ft 153,503 ft
Spain. National Park of Aigues Tortes (Twisting Waters) Up to a huge dam wall. No cars allowed!
 
6 June Puerto de Bonaigua Arties 6,800 ft 3,531 ft 156,034 ft
French Pyrenees. Second highest pass to cross the Pyrenees. Patches of snow at the top. Climbed in one go.
 
12 June Col du Portillon Luchon 4,267 ft 2,188 ft 158,222 f
French Pyrenees. On the French/Spanish border. Climb through forest.
 
13 June Col de Peyresourde Luchon 5,180 ft 3,100 ft 161,322 ft
French Pyrenees. Border of Haute Garonne and Hautes Pyrenees. Misty at the top.
 
15 June Col du Tourmalet Luz-St Sauveur 6,980 ft 4,630 ft 165,952 ft
French Pyrenees. A Tour de France col, second highest in the whole Pyrenees. Highest 7,950 ft in Andorra.
 
17 June Col des Boucharo Gavarnie 7,490 ft 3,010 ft 168,962 ft
French Pyreness. Many marmots. Road closed to cars after the Col des Tentes. Reaches Spanish border.
 
18 June Col de Troumouse Gavarnie 6,947 ft 3,000 ft 171,962 ft
French Pyrenees. Excellent climb up steep zig-zags. Coffee at Auberge at 5,940 ft.
 
22 June Col d'Aubisque Eaux Bonnes 5,640 ft 3,300 ft 175,262 ft
French Pyrenees. Steep. Rode with English group on Raid des Pyrenees - 500 miles, very many cols in 90 hours!
 
23 June Col du Pourtalet Laruns 5,879 ft 4,168 ft 179,430 ft
French Pyrenees. Long gentle valley climb to Spanish border.
 
27 June Port de Larrau Larrau 5,191 ft 3,092 ft 182,522 ft
French Pyrenees. Steep climb! Rode with 5 men from Cornwall on 2-week tour.
 
30 June Pierre St Martin Arette 5,808 ft 4,700 ft 187,222 ft
French Pyrenees. Splendid climb through forest and past a ski resort. Spent night in Spain.
 
1 July Port de Larrau Isaba (Spain) 5,191 ft 4,000 ft 191,222 ft
French Pyrenees. Returned to Arette via Col Alta Laza (3,726 ft) and other side of Port de Larrau. Wonderful ending!
 

 

CYCLING COLS

AUTUMN IN THE EUROPEAN ALPS

 

Barry and Margaret Williamson

CYCLING COLS: AUTUMN IN THE FRENCH ALPS
Barry and Margaret Williamson
 
Date Location Start Place Height of Col Height Climbed Total Height Climbed
 
3 Sep Col de la Bonette Jausiers 9,250 ft 5,220 ft 196,442 ft
Highest in the Alps. Ridden with Andrew Watson, TdeF expert. An excellent ride under clear skies after a long layoff
 
6 Sep Col de la Cayolle Barcelonnette 7,676 ft 3,930 ft 200,372 ft
French Alps. Splendid gorge ride. Met 2 Swiss with punctures. en route to Nice, Corsica, Sardinia, Rome.
 
9 Sep Col d'Allos Barcelonnette 7,425 ft 3,680 ft 204,052 ft
French Alps. Another splendid gorge ride initially. Steeper and more open towards the top. Met Texan with 3 homes!
 
13 Sep Col de la Bonette Barcelonnette 8,646 ft 4,950 ft 209,002 ft
French Alps. Via Bayasse on Col de la Cayolle road and 10 km of stony track. Challenging!
 
16 Sep Col de Vars Barcelonnette 6,960 ft 3,214 ft 212,216 ft
Initially through gorges and tunnels, finally climbing 1,700 ft in 5 km (10%). Windy. Tyre blow-out descending.
 
21 Sep Col du Parpaillon Jausiers 8,728 ft 4,768 ft 216,984 ft
French Alps. A very hard climb mainly on steep gravel tracks. Climb ends at a tunnel under the col.
 

 

CYCLING COLS

AUTUMN IN GREECE

 

Barry and Margaret Williamson

CYCLING COLS: GREECE IN THE AUTUMN
Barry and Margaret Williamson
 
Date Location Start Place Height of Col Height Climbed Total Height Climbed
 
18 Oct Katara Pass Kalambaka 5,610 ft 5,300 ft 222,284 ft
Highest road in Greece between Kalambaka and Ianina. 5 hours up, 2 hours down. Longest ride for height gained.
 
27 Oct Kalavrita Akrata 2,700 ft 4,700 ft 226,984 ft
Climbing from sea level to 3,700 ft then a drop of 1,000 ft to Kalavrita, passing the monastery of Mega Spileo
 
29 Oct Zarouchla Akrata 2,800 ft 5,000 ft 231,984 ft
Climbing from sea level to 3,000 ft, then ups and downs along the Styx Gorge. Splendid riding on a warm clear day
 

 

CYCLING COLS

SPRING IN GREECE

 

Barry and Margaret Williamson

CYCLING COLS: GREECE IN THE SPRING
Barry and Margaret Williamson
 
Date Location Start Place Height of Col Height Climbed Total Height Climbed
 
17 Apr Bassae Tholo Beach 4,000 ft 3,700 ft 235,684 ft
A cold windy rainy day climbing to the Temple of Bassae from our camp at sea level. Excellent quiet back road.
 
30 Apr Areopol1 Kalamata 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 239,684 ft
3 climbs riding south into the Mani on the splendid Messenian Gulf Road. This + next 4 entries part of 8-day ride.
 
1 May Gythion Areopoli 2,000 ft 2,500 ft 242,184 ft
3 further climbs riding round the Mani and north to the port of Gythion.
 
3 May Poulithra   Glykovrissi 3,500 ft 3,000 ft 245,184 ft
As hard a day as it gets: 90 degrees F, windless, stiff climbing, partly on stones and gravel. Great mountain scenery!
 
4 May Kosmas    Poulithra 4,000 ft 4,000 ft 249,184 ft
The climb we had always wanted to do - up the gorge from Leonidio and through pine forest to the hamlet of Kosmas.
 
6 May Kalamata Sparta    4,400 ft 4,300 ft 253,484 ft
Returning to Kalamata, up the gorge from Sparta, over the Langhada Pass, down to a gorge, a final steep climb out and down to sea level in Kalamata.
 
18 May Anavrita Sparta  3,000 ft     ft 2,500 255,984 ft
A favourite switchbacking climb from the Spartan Plain straight up the side of the Taygetos mountains.
 
20 May Georgitsu Sparta    3,000 ft 2,500 ft 258,484 ft
Paralleling the Anavrita ('Sweet Spring') ride but further north. As remote and as enjoyable as it gets.
 
25 May Agriani Sparta   3,200 ft 2,700 ft 261,184 ft
The first ride on these remote mountain roads east of Sparta - opposite side of the valley to the 8,000 ft-high Taygetos.
 


CYCLING COLS

SUMMARY TABLE 

Barry and Margaret Williamson

The list does not include cols climbed before retirement and full-time travel in 1995, many climbs on our recent rides in and across Australia, New Zealand and other climbs in the Greek Peloponnese.

Summary of Height Gained Height in Feet Height in Metres
     
Total number of climbs 70  
     
Total height climbed 261,184 79,146
     
Average height of climbs 3,731 1,131
     
Total height of cols  466,100 141,242
     
Average height of cols 6,659 2,018
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