Col du Petit St Bernard and Colle San Carlo
russell_in_france
Posts: 124
https://plus.google.com/photos/111059783111780167010/albums/5890137879937218657?banner=pwa
This year, the winter was long, cold and dumped huge amounts of snow on the Alps, and a number of the passes are still closed. I wanted to see some of the snow and for my first ride in the high Alps, I wanted to ride a loop I’d ridden 15 years ago and not been back since.
I left home early and I rode from Bourg St Maurice over the 2188m Col du Petit St Bernard before descending into Italy. My second climb was the 1950m Colle San Carlo, before descending and rejoining the eastern side of the Col du Petit St Bernard again. The Petit St Bernard is long, around 30 kilometres from Bourg St Maurice, but at an average of 5%. The Colle San Carlo is only 10 kilometres in length but averages 10% with some stretches at 13%. Trees provide cover for the majority of the climb.
I recommend the loop. 120km with just over 3,000 metres of climb, and very nice views including towards the Mont Blanc.
For a map and profile.
http://app.strava.com/activities/60689602
Cheers, Russell
http://www.grenoblecycling.com
This year, the winter was long, cold and dumped huge amounts of snow on the Alps, and a number of the passes are still closed. I wanted to see some of the snow and for my first ride in the high Alps, I wanted to ride a loop I’d ridden 15 years ago and not been back since.
I left home early and I rode from Bourg St Maurice over the 2188m Col du Petit St Bernard before descending into Italy. My second climb was the 1950m Colle San Carlo, before descending and rejoining the eastern side of the Col du Petit St Bernard again. The Petit St Bernard is long, around 30 kilometres from Bourg St Maurice, but at an average of 5%. The Colle San Carlo is only 10 kilometres in length but averages 10% with some stretches at 13%. Trees provide cover for the majority of the climb.
I recommend the loop. 120km with just over 3,000 metres of climb, and very nice views including towards the Mont Blanc.
For a map and profile.
http://app.strava.com/activities/60689602
Cheers, Russell
http://www.grenoblecycling.com
0
Comments
-
Lovely area. The San Marco is a terrific climb but for me, an even more outstanding descent into Morgex. If you like a good downhill, it's definitely one not to miss.0
-
I climbed from Morgex so didn't enjoy the San Carlo descent but did enjoy the drop down into La Thuile.
Here's a video diary from the ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGdxtJAwA2w
Russell
http://www.grenoblecycling.com0 -
Hi Russell, that looks like a great trip. We stay in Ste Foy so have done the Petit st Bernard a few times, but I would like to give your route a go this summer.
Did you go around the loop in Italy clockwise or anti clockwise?
Thanks
Simon0 -
Hi Simon,
I descended completely down the Col du Petit St Bernard, to Pre-St-Didier and then onto Morgex for climb of the Colle St Carlo. I'm sure it would also be a fun and frantic descent as well.
You can follow the exact route with Strava.
http://app.strava.com/activities/60689602
Cheers, Russell0 -
Perfect, thanks Russell, we will give it a go!
Cheers
Simon0 -
Hi Russell, we finally got around to do this today; what a fantastic route!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/382492224
Thanks
Simon0
