Col des Chevrères

Overview

Col des Chevrères is a Category 2 climb in France, running 8.3 km from a valley floor at 400 m to a summit at 932 m. That gives a net elevation gain of 532 m across the climb, with an average gradient that reads a moderate 6.42%. On paper, those numbers suggest a steady tempo effort well within reach of most trained riders.

The paper lies. The climb's total ascent is 783 m — 251 m more than the net gain of 532 m. That gap means the road does not climb continuously. It rises, gives back, and rises again, and every metre of that 251 m surplus is climbing you pay for twice: once to gain it, once more after you've descended and have to reclaim it. The undulation makes the effort spikier and more expensive than the average gradient implies.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 6.42% average is a blend, not a description. With a maximum pitch of 24.79%, this climb hides its teeth. The steep ramps are offset by the flatter and downhill sections that create the 251 m undulation surplus, so the average understates both the hard parts and the recovery.

• Flatter and false-flat sections, plus short descents, where you can recover but lose nothing to gravity if you keep spinning
• Repeated short climbs stacked back to back, each one resetting your legs after a brief respite
• A single savage ramp near 24.79% — the moment that dictates your gearing and where an over-geared rider grinds to a near-stop

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, even-speed pacing will destroy you: holding a constant km/h forces enormous power surges on the steep ramps. Pace to even effort instead. Anchor your target to a sustainable power output you can hold for the full 8.3 km, let your speed rise on the flatter sections and drop on the ramps, and resist the urge to chase a number on the descents — soft-pedal and recover there. If you don't know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. The 24.79% pitch will briefly force you above threshold no matter how disciplined you are; budget for that spike rather than pretending it won't happen.

Gearing

The 24.79% maximum gradient governs your setup, not the 6.42% average. Come with a compact (34-tooth inner) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — 34×32 or 34×34 at minimum. On a ramp that steep, a bailout gear is not a luxury; it's the difference between spinning and stalling. Check your actual chainring and cassette before the ride, not at the base of the wall.

Summary

• Length: 8.3 km
• Average gradient: 6.42%
• Maximum gradient: 24.79%
• Net elevation gain: 532 m
• Total ascent: 783 m
• Category: 2

Col des Chevrères is harder than its average suggests. Respect the undulation, gear for the steepest ramp, and pace to effort — do that, and a Category 2 climb stays a Category 2 climb.