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Col De Coq
On the south eastern side of the
Chartreuse Ridge a road runs along the length of
the ridge at about half height. There are great
views of massive limestone cliffs above, and there
are more cliffs below, even if they are not
immediately visible. This road connects that
traverse with the valley, that runs along the
center of the Chartreuse plateau. This is the
highest paved pass in the Chartreuse and has the
reputation of being one of the most difficult in
that region.
Using the direct approach you never enter St
Pancrasse, but coming from D1090 instead, there is
a shortcut climb, starting at the Madonna statue
shown on the picture below. After the shortcut the
wide road climbs steadily with views of Chartreuse
villages floating apparently in the air in front
of snow capped Belledone Ridges. But the most
imposing site may well be the gigantic layered
limestone tooth, Roc d'Arguile (1768m) around
which the pass is climbing. There is an obvious
pass visible above treeline, just to the right of
this mountain. But Col du Coq is a lower crossing.
The summit comes up completely unexpectedly, and
there are no really great views from here.  From West. (described
downwards) The first couple of switchbacks allow a
few glances back at the cliffs above, and then the
road disappears in the forest. It becomes narrow,
rough, steep, and if it's a hot summer day -
pleasantly cool, while following a creek in the
shade. But the brake pads heat up instead. The
scenery and villages become interesting again near
the Hamlet Majeure. Going left here allows
connecting to Col
de Porte direction Grenoble, without
descending all the way. But the other option has
nicer village views. For this option the road
remains above the valley and finally circles in on
St Pierre en Chartreuse, like an airplane that
missed its approach. The profile continues down
the canyon to exit the Chartreuse on the west side
in Saint Laurent du Pont.  Col de Coq , Col
de Porte , Col
de Marcieu : La Ravoire > Baraux
> Col de Marcieu > St Bernard > Col de
Coq <> out and back towards St Pierre de
Chartreuse > Col de Porte > Grenoble with
detours > [train from Grenoble to Montmelian]
> back to la Ravoire > 69.4miles with 7260ft
of climbing in 6:40hrs (VDO MC1.0 m4:14.7.3) Historical Notes: Cycling - Tour de France: The
summit was part of the 1984 and 1987 Tour de
France route. The stages were Grenoble to Alp
d'Huez and Villard-de-Land to Alp d'Huez.
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