Interesting little known climb near the Izoard from Briancon
gavinbay
Posts: 144
Today did an interesting climb that I'd been looking at on the map. I was concerned at what condition the road surface would be, though the map showed it to be tarmac all the way.
From Briancon (Serre Chevalier) you take the Izoard road, and around 1,500m past the decheterie (dump) you'll see a small turn to the left.
This is a little known old military road that is closed to all motor traffic, not because of present day military activity so much (though the area is still used Dec - April and is interdit), but the road has NO safety barriers etc and road surface is not too good (but better than Sarrenne), in fact it's at its worst lower down and then gets better.
It climbs all the way to the top of the Montgenevre ski slopes where the various forts are. The tarmac runs out at 2,343m (Col D'Izoard is 2360) and you could go on up to the Janus fort at 2,529.
Obviously the major plus point is no traffic and at this time of year that's a major bonus as the motor homes are now prevalent.
In terms of gradient, it's almost as tough as the Granon with quite a few sections not dropping below 11% for a good couple of kms.
So if you're ever out in this part of the world then I'd really recommend this climb. And if you were on a MTB you could do some very good loops taking at least three or four different routes back to Briancon.
Strava route here along with some pics
http://www.strava.com/activities/167074193
From Briancon (Serre Chevalier) you take the Izoard road, and around 1,500m past the decheterie (dump) you'll see a small turn to the left.
This is a little known old military road that is closed to all motor traffic, not because of present day military activity so much (though the area is still used Dec - April and is interdit), but the road has NO safety barriers etc and road surface is not too good (but better than Sarrenne), in fact it's at its worst lower down and then gets better.
It climbs all the way to the top of the Montgenevre ski slopes where the various forts are. The tarmac runs out at 2,343m (Col D'Izoard is 2360) and you could go on up to the Janus fort at 2,529.
Obviously the major plus point is no traffic and at this time of year that's a major bonus as the motor homes are now prevalent.
In terms of gradient, it's almost as tough as the Granon with quite a few sections not dropping below 11% for a good couple of kms.
So if you're ever out in this part of the world then I'd really recommend this climb. And if you were on a MTB you could do some very good loops taking at least three or four different routes back to Briancon.
Strava route here along with some pics
http://www.strava.com/activities/167074193
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Comments
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Wow! Looks fantastic! Did the Izoard and Galibier from Briancon a couple of years back, will have to do this one next time....http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....0
