A new paved road to Col de la Loze

# Col de la Loze

Tucked away in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de la Loze sits pretty at 2,308 meters (7,572 feet) above sea level, nestled within the stunning Vanoise National Park in the Graian Alps. This relatively new paved route—only opened to the public in May 2019—runs between the charming alpine villages of Méribel and Courchevel, making it a must-do for serious cyclists.

Here's the thing: the final 6 kilometers are strictly off-limits to motor vehicles, which means you'll be sharing this intimate mountain pass with fellow cyclists and electric bike riders. The narrow four-meter-wide road winds its way up with a mix of tight hairpin turns and longer stretches, punctuated by some seriously punchy ramps that'll test your mettle. When things get steep, you're looking at gradients touching 18%—no joke.

The full climb stretches 21.5 kilometers from Méribel, delivering a grueling 1,690 meters of elevation gain, though the average grade sits at a (slightly) more manageable 7.7%. At the top, you're rewarded with a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc that'll make every painful pedal stroke worth it. Fair warning though: the pass only opens seasonally from June through September, depending on snow conditions.

This ambitious route is now part of the Via 3 Vallées (3 Valleys Way), exclusively for bicycles and e-bikes, and has already earned its place as one of France's toughest climbs—so tough, in fact, that the Tour de France organizers couldn't resist featuring it.