Col de la Croix de Chaubouret

Overview

The Col de la Croix de Chaubouret is a Category 1 climb in France that earns its classification honestly. Over 7.6 km it rises 787 metres of total ascent, starting at 622 m and finishing at 1,205 m, with an average gradient of 7.64%. That average is already demanding, but the 18.55% maximum gradient is the number that shapes how you should approach the entire effort.

This is not a climb where you can afford to go out hard and hope to recover. The gradient variance between average and maximum is steep enough to create serious trouble for riders who treat the lower slopes casually.

Gradient Profile

At 7.64% average across 7.6 km, the Col de la Croix de Chaubouret sits in the bracket where sustained threshold power is required from the first kilometre. There is no genuine warm-up built into the road — the ascent begins at 622 m and climbs consistently.

The 18.55% maximum gradient indicates at least one ramp severe enough to force many riders out of the saddle regardless of gearing. A difference of nearly 11 percentage points between the average and the maximum signals that the climb is not uniform. Expect sections where the road steepens sharply before easing, which creates a natural rhythm problem: you risk either overcooking the steep ramps or losing time on easier gradients by riding too conservatively.

Key sections to anticipate

• Lower slopes: Likely where the road establishes its baseline gradient. Resist the urge to push above threshold here — 7.6 km is long enough that early overexertion compounds badly.
• Mid-climb steepening: The maximum gradient of 18.55% almost certainly appears in the middle or upper third of the climb, where fatigue is already accumulating. This is the section that breaks poorly paced efforts.
• Final kilometres: With 787 m of total ascent concentrated into 7.6 km, there is little flat or downhill recovery on the way to the summit. Expect the upper road to remain consistently steep into the finish.

Pacing Strategy

For a Category 1 climb of this length and average gradient, target a power output you can sustain for 25–35 minutes depending on your fitness level. Riding to a power ceiling — rather than feel — is especially important here because the gradient changes will create false sensations of effort that lead to spiking and fading.

Use the steeper ramps as controlled efforts rather than all-out accelerations. If you have a powermeter, allow brief spikes through the 18.55% sections but return to your target output as soon as the gradient relents. Riders without power data should aim to keep breathing controlled and cadence as consistent as the gradient allows. The FTP estimator can help you establish a reliable target before attempting this climb at race pace.

Gearing Notes

Do not underestimate the 18.55% maximum. On a road bike, a compact chainset (50/34) paired with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette is a sensible minimum for this climb if you plan to maintain any semblance of cadence on the steepest ramps. Riders running a standard 53/39 setup will need strong legs and a wide cassette to avoid grinding to a halt.

Aim for a climbing cadence in the 70–85 rpm range on the average gradient sections. On the steepest pitches, dropping to 60–65 rpm is acceptable if it keeps you seated and in control — standing repeatedly on a 7.6 km climb at this average gradient accelerates fatigue significantly.

Summary

The Col de la Croix de Chaubouret is a legitimate Category 1 test: long enough to punish poor pacing, steep enough at its maximum to demand respect, and with enough total ascent to leave a mark on the legs. Treat it as a sustained effort with a hard section buried inside it, not as a short sharp shock.