The climb · France
About Grand Colombier
Grand Colombier starts aggressively, demanding attention from the first turn of the pedals. The road rises sharply, framed by forests and distant mountains that promise more than they reveal.
Hairpins twist relentlessly, forcing a careful balance between power and patience. There’s a drama to each bend, a sense of climbing both the road and your own limits.
Summiting is a reward, a moment of exhilaration mixed with relief. Grand Colombier is for riders who love a climb that tests legs, lungs, and resolve equally.
01 / The ascent
Elevation profile
02 / The crux
Where it gets difficult
Choose a distance to find the steepest continuous section of the climb.
Steepest 500 m average
14.4%
Where to find it
7.90–8.40 km from start
- Net height gained
- 72 m
- Section length
- 500 m
03 / The numbers
Climb statistics
- Distance
- 16.23 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,179 m
- Average gradient
- 8.4%
- Climb category
- HC
- Start elevation
- 319 m
- Summit elevation
- 1,488 m
04 / Your effort
How long would it take?
Enter the power you could hold for the whole climb. We calculate a moving time from the elevation profile and the forces you ride against.
Use your intended climbing effort, rather than FTP unless you can hold it for the predicted duration.
Bike + kit includes clothing, bottles and luggage.
Advanced settings
Defaults represent a road-bike scenario. Adjust these settings to match your tyres, drivetrain and riding position.
Modelled moving time
1 h 25 min
- Power throughout
- 225 W
- Average speed
- 11.5 km/h
Based on the 16.35 km elevation profile. Assumes steady power, with no stops, braking or drafting. Rounded to the nearest minute.
The science behind the calculation
For each part of the stored profile, we solve the steady-state cycling power equation for speed, then add distance ÷ speed across the climb. Gravity uses rider + equipment weight; available power is W/kg × rider weight. This uses the profile’s distance and elevation together, without mixing in another route’s metrics.
Power × efficiency = gravity + rolling resistance + air resistance + bearing losses
The resistance equations are adapted from Martin et al. (1998), Validation of a Mathematical Model for Road Cycling Power. Air density changes with profile altitude using NASA’s standard-atmosphere model. This calculator’s adaptation has not been independently validated.
It predicts travel at the power you enter, including on descents. It does not model acceleration, cornering, braking, traffic, wind, changing weather or fatigue. At altitude, choose power you can sustain there: thinner air reduces drag, but this model does not predict its effect on your ability to produce power. Profile quality and assumed equipment settings also affect the result.
05 / On the ground
Route map
Route overview
Grand Colombier
Culoz-Béon, Ain, France
- Route length
- 16.23 km
- Total ascent
- 1,179 m
- Average gradient
- 8.4%
06 / Take it home
The climb, as artwork
Turn the route into a personalised topographic print. Choose your colours and composition, then download your artwork.
07 / Keep exploring
Nearby climbs
Annecy-Semnoz
16.7 km · 7.7% · 1175 m gain
Annecy, Upper Savoy, France
27.5 km away · Explore climb →
Col de l'Épine
0.5 km · 16.7% · 120 m gain
Novalaise, RA, France
28.0 km away · Explore climb →
Montée du Plateau des Gilères
5.7 km · 11.3% · 808 m gain
Le Petit-Bornand-les-Glières, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
49.6 km away · Explore climb →
Col de la Croix Fry
3.9 km · 6.4% · 252 m gain
La Clusaz, Rhône-Alpes, France
50.7 km away · Explore climb →
Col du Barioz
7.7 km · 6.5% · 504 m gain
Saint Pierre D'Allevard, Rhône-Alpes, France
57.7 km away · Explore climb →