Col de la Forclaz
There are three passes with this name, that even I know,
which means there are most likely even more than that. This
particular one is memorable because of a very steep southern
approach, nice views of Lac D'Annecy on the northern
approach, and in my case a very rainy, cold day in July.
 |
1.(450m,km00.0)
START-END NORTH: south of Talloires, on shore of Lac
D'Annecy
2.(1157m,km09.7)TOP: Col de la Forclaz
3.(480m,17.6km)START-END SOUTH: jct D402-D1508 and
Piste Cyclabile along Lac d'Annecy, north of Giez
|
Approaches
From North. On the north end of Menthon
Saint Mentho, it's time to leave the narrow bike route around
Lac d'Annecy and follow the sign for Col de la Forclaz. A busy
road without shoulder climbs in straight ramps between luxury
homes, with brick walls as thick as Disneyland styrofoam castle
walls in the US.
A sign advises motorists to leave 1.5m between them and a
cyclist, and all the ones I met, did. Regularly occurring views
of the lake measure the progress upwards. The road retreats from
the lake for a while, only to return to it, with a view from
straight above. The top has many buildings and a tourist office,
restaurant, bar etc, that are suspicious of some major tourist
attraction nearby. But it just seems to be the junction with a
one way road up to Les Prets Ronds (1211m) and onwards to a
trail up Col de l'Aulp.
From South. (described downwards).
The road goes through the village Montmin, which to my eyes has
a Swiss appearance: elaborate houses with detail oriented wood
construction and a solid appearance - the opposite of a stage
set - something that is meant to remain after the movie is over.
From the profile it looks like the steep section is mostly on
the northern side. The steep grades may be less sustained on
this side. But I remember them more: the sign says 13%. But
there are no views of the lake. By now you are already south of
it in Montmin. At the bottom waits an immaculately paved "piste
cyclabile" in both directions. It looks that like it must
be an old railbed, because it is entirely separate from the
road.
Dayride with this point as highest summit:
Col de la Forclaz , additional out and back: Meythet
> Annecy > Annecy Le Viex > Veyrier du Lac <>
short out and back in direction Col de Bluffy >> Menthon
Saint Bernard > Montmin > Piste Ciclabile on east side of
lake north > Annecy > back to starting point in Meythet
with many miles of detours to take advantage of time when it was
not raining or only raining slightly: 46.4miles with 2950ft of
climbing in 4:25hrs (VDO MC1.0 m4:14.7.11)
Notes: A rainy and amazingly cold day in July, after 3 days
of rain.
the last day with different start and end points on this tour is
on page: D207 Aiguebelle -
St Pierre de Belleville(sh)

|