Col des Veys

Overview

Col des Veys is a hors catégorie climb that pulls no punches. Across just 8.7 km it averages 11.94 percent, hauling you from a start at 1552 m to a summit of 2594 m. That is a net elevation gain of 1042 m packed into a single relentless ascent. There are no rolling valleys or false flats to hide behind here — this is a sustained, high-altitude effort that earns its HC rating on gradient alone. If you are chasing a climb that tests your ceiling rather than your patience, the Veys delivers.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Col des Veys is its consistency at a savage level. An 11.94 percent average over 8.7 km means there is very little recovery built into the profile. On most climbs the average is softened by shallow sections and steepened by a few ramps; here the average itself sits close to what many riders would call a wall. Expect the road to stay firmly in double digits for long stretches, so the number on your computer will rarely drop into a range that feels comfortable. With 1042 m of net gain and 989 m of total ascent, almost every metre of forward progress is also a metre gained upward — there is no wasted, flat kilometre. Treat the whole 8.7 km as one continuous block of climbing rather than a sequence of distinct segments.

Pacing Notes

At 11.94 percent for 8.7 km, pacing is everything. A climb this steep punishes anyone who starts hot, because once you go over threshold on a wall like this there is no flat to recover on. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a wattage you can genuinely sustain for the full duration — err conservative in the opening kilometres, since the gradient will not relent to give you back time later. If you are not sure of your current number, run it through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. Remember too that the summit sits at 2594 m, where thinner air will quietly trim your sustainable power, so bank a little headroom rather than riding your sea-level ceiling.

Gearing

Do not underestimate what 11.94 percent demands from your drivetrain. On a climb this steep, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible starting point. A 34×32 will get many strong riders up the Veys, but for most people, and especially for anyone riding it fresh off a long day, a 34×34 is the smarter, knee-saving choice. The extra range keeps your cadence up and your effort controlled rather than grinding at low revs for 8.7 straight kilometres. If your bike accepts even more range, take it — you will never regret easier gearing on an HC wall like this.

Summary

Col des Veys is a short, ferociously steep hors catégorie test: 8.7 km that never lets up, topping out at high altitude after more than a kilometre of climbing. Bring low gearing, a disciplined pacing plan, and respect for the average gradient.

Length: 8.7 km
Average gradient: 11.94%
Max gradient: n/a
Start: 1552 m
Summit: 2594 m
Net gain: 1042 m
Total ascent: 989 m
Category: HC