Where is Col de la Madeleine?
France, europe
37.3 km
1,998 m
moderate
Year-round
Col de la Madeleine: Picture yourself cruising through the French Alps in the Savoie department, because this is one mountain pass you won't want to miss! Sitting pretty at almost 2,000 meters, this beauty links the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys.
You'll find it nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, and the road itself? Totally paved and part of the Route des Grandes Alpes – so expect some serious scenery.
Clocking in at just over 37 kilometers from Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines to La Léchère les Bains, it's a challenging climb, famous for its Tour de France cameos. Be warned, some ramps hit a thigh-burning 13.5% gradient! The climb from La Chambre is relentless, but the north side from Bonneval is a bit gentler.
Keep an eye out for those kilometer markers showing how far to the top, your current altitude, and the slope ahead.
Heads up: it's usually closed from November to June due to snow. But when it's open? The views of Mont Blanc and the Lauzière massifs are insane! If you're feeling extra adventurous, there’s a super-steep, unpaved road that branches off to a higher peak to the west – but maybe skip that one if you're not an experienced driver.
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 37.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,998 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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