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Chamonix to Barrage d'Emosson, via Col des Montets

Intermediate ride with a few steep sections but worth it for the views

featured in Cycling Routes Updated

This ride is 62km there and back with a demanding climb from Finhaut up to the top of the Emosson dam (averaging 8.5% with a couple of sections over 10%).

Depending on your fitness it could be in excess of four hours so pack plenty to drink and some energy snacks.

The route is simple, up and over the Col des Montets, down to the Swiss border (I’ve never been stopped but I usually take my driver’s licence for ID – time will tell if this is good enough to avoid problems) then carry on for some 1,000m and turn left at the large brown sign for Barrage d’Emosson towards Finhaut. From here Emosson is clearly signed and is uphill all the way.

Average grade8.5%
Length62km
Height start1,055m
Height top1,968m
Elevation913m
Time4 hours
Route statistics

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