Valais · Switzerland
Col de la Forclaz
203Martigny to Trient
The Martigny to Trient pass on the Mont Blanc axis toward Chamonix, a Tour de France climb.
The Col de la Forclaz lifts the road from Martigny in the Rhone valley over a 1527 m col into the Trient valley, the main Swiss link toward Chamonix and Mont Blanc. It is a steady, well-surfaced climb through vineyards and forest, averaging around 8 percent with steeper pitches, and gained wider fame as a 2016 Tour de France climb. It usually stays open in winter but can need chains. Mind the winter ice and the linked Col des Montets closures, the tour-bus and cyclist traffic in season, and the steeper hairpins near the top.
Where it runs11.3 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 4Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%652.3 – 1,539 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- Col de la ForclazViewpoint6.8 mi in
- Roue de moulinLandmark8.0 mi in
- Grotte aux NymphesLandmark10 mi in
Hazards
- Winter ice and closures
- Tour-bus and cyclist traffic
- Steeper upper hairpins
See the typical season and live conditions for the high passes ›
Sources
“This brief yet highly steep drive rewards travelers with breathtaking vistas”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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