 |
| |
Col d'Eze
There is a temptation to think that this is a one-of-a-kind pass. After all, where else in the world can you find a moderate climb over a named pass through the glitzy urban environment of the Cote d'Azur. The answer is: on the Cote d'Azur. Actually several points on the Grande Corniche and Moyenne Corniche are named passes. The Col d'Eze is just the best knows of these, and also the highest point on the Grande Corniche between Nice and Monaco. The pass can also serve as shoulder point to countless higher climbs.
From East. Given the maze of
roads in this area, there are practically close to
infinitely many ways to approach this point from
the Nice area. But the most straight forward way
is to follow signs for Menton and Monaco in Nice,
that lead to the Grande Corniche. A fairly wide
road leads to the Col de Quatre
Chemins. The steepest uphill option from
there continues to the Col d'Eze. From the Col de Quatre
Chemins there also an unpaved path, that
forks off the Chemin strategique (approach to the
col de Quatre Chemin). This path is bordered by a
low wall, giving it the feel of a long balcony. It
goes around the other side of the "Plateau de
Justice" than the paved road does. While the paved
route looks out over the sea, the unpaved path has
panoramic views of the mountains, as well as the
housing projects of of La Condamine below. Even on
a Saturday morning in May I was the only person
using this path. The Cote d'Azur does not have to
be crowded, just the immediate coast. The paved road on the other hand
soon climbs out of the the forest and gives a
constant view of the sea and the bay
Eze-bord-de-Mer with its yachts and castle like
estates. The pass is between two rounded hills,
Papates to the north and Mont Bastide on the sea
side. Immediately before reaching the pass, a
short foot trail branches to the south, to the top
of Mount Bastide. It provides views similar to
those, that can be had from the road, except for
one major difference during late April/ early May:
The vistas of the shore are foregrounded by a riot
of colorful wild flowers. A few pictures from the
footpath are included in the picture page. Col
d'Eze is located at the junction D46-D2564. D2546
climbs above the pass. It is still possible to
follow D2546 through La Turbie and descend from
there. That options reaches a point that is just a
few feet higher. Alternatively one can climb to
higher passes including Col de Guerre, Col de la Madone
and many others.
From West. (described
downwards). To make the Col d'Eze the highest
point on the profile, you have to stay right and
change to D46. In spite of the 500 meters of
elevation, you are only 1.7km from the sea as the
crow flies. So far I have not cycled this
approach. The temptation to keep on climbing from
here has always been to great. But I have heard
glowing descriptions of the views of Monaco from
this approach. The profiled approach descends into
Cap d'Ail, still west of Monaco. Dayride with this point
as highest summit:
PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED Col d'Eze: 177 bd observotoire, Nice > col de Quatre Chemins(shp) > unpaved route to col d'Eze > col de Quatre Chemins(shp) > down chemin de Vingrainette(?) > Nice > roll around Nice > sp: 18.8miles with 1870ft of climbing in 2:21 hours (VDO MC1.0 m4.12.5.12). Notes: After the small excursion to the col d'Eze the day was devoted of finding supplies in Nice and lugging them back to 177 bd observoitoire. The first pass with different start
and end points on this Extended Tour is: Col de Vence back to
Cycling Passes in Europe  |
Approaches
|
|
advertisement |
|
|
advertisement |