Sun, 7 June 2026
Minimum altitude: 232 meters
Distance: 84.2 km
Slope Aspect: South-West
Vertical Climbed: 1,687 meters (5,535 feet)
Vertical Descended: 1,674 meters
Rating: 5
Today the road from Allevard to Super Collet was closed to motor traffic from 9 am to midday as part of the Closed Cols operation. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and ride there from Crolles. On paper, the outing looked like it would be around 80 km with 1600 metres of climbing. That seemed reasonable, as I had been doing similar efforts at the end of last season and had recently completed a two day cycle tour with stages of about 130 km per day.
I left Crolles at 8 am and took the new cycle path towards Goncelin. I am not a big fan of the direct climb to Allevard, so I made a small detour via La Cheylas before taking a quiet back road into town. I arrived in Allevard at about 9.15, just as plenty of cyclists were setting off. My bike computer showed 30 km already completed, with 13 km still to go to the summit.
I doubt the road would have been that busy out of season even if open, especially as it only climbs to a ski resort, but it was still a pleasure to ride without cars. The main nuisance on roads like this is usually motorbikes, of which there seem to be far too many these days. Most cyclists would probably agree with that, although perhaps not the motorcyclists themselves. Trucks connected with building works are the other thing you are happy not to meet on a climb.
The climb quickly settled into a steady rhythm. I was gaining around 700 vertical metres per hour and reckoned I would reach the ski resort at about 10.30. I was overtaking some riders and being overtaken by others, including one very long legged young woman and, later, a young man on a mountain bike.
The climb is mostly shaded, which was welcome, but it is also surprisingly steep. There are long sections around 9 to 10 percent and even a short wall at about 14 percent. Although the average gradient from Allevard is just under 8 percent, it felt harder than Alpe d’Huez. On the steeper ramps I noticed that I was struggling to keep a good pace, even with the chain on the easiest gear.
Alpes4Ever describes Super Collet d’Allevard as a little known, despite appearing in the Criterium du Dauphine, but serious climb in the Belledonne massif. From Allevard, the ascent gains 1077 metres over 15.6 km at an average of 7.5 percent, with 14 hairpins, mostly in shaded forest. The first 11.8 km to the Collet d’Allevard ski station offer almost no respite, averaging 8.5 percent, including a section of 1.5 km at 11.5 percent. After a gentler crossing of the station, there are still 3 km left at gradients between 5.5 and 7.5 percent to reach Super Collet at 1640 metres. Despite the name, Alpes4Ever points out that Super Collet is not actually a mountain pass.
When I reached the ski resort, I could really have done without the final climb to Super Collet, which adds another 200 vertical metres. I had ridden the climb back in 2014, but had not continued up this last section. However, food and refreshments were waiting higher up, so there was a good reason to continue. The gradient was slightly easier, around 7 percent, but by the time I pulled into the parking area my legs were feeling a bit wobbly. Skipping breakfast and hoping that a couple of Pom’Potes would be enough fuel had not been the best strategy.
After some cake and an energy drink offered by the Isère department, it was time for the long descent. With no cars on the road, it was much more relaxing, although it was still necessary to watch out for a few cyclists still climbing. The descent was cold at first, but soon became pleasant as the road dropped through the shaded forest. The surface was reasonable and visibility was good and at mid distance I overtook the long legged girl who seemed to be descending with her hands on the brakes.
Across the valley, the north facing bowls of the Sept Laux were still full of snow. Twenty years ago I had a wonderful ski descent there in fresh powder. Today, the slopes looked rather more cooked by the spring sun.
Once back in Allevard, the ride became much simpler. It was just a matter of pushing along the flat and taking the direct descent to Goncelin, before retracing the cycle path back to Crolles. In the end, the outing came to about 85 km with roughly 1650 metres of climbing. A solid morning ride, a hard climb, and a rare chance to enjoy the road to Super Collet without motor traffic.
11C at the Collet, 23C in the valley.
