Croix de Pierre

Overview

Croix de Pierre is a category-2 climb that asks a steady, sustained effort rather than a single violent shock. Over 8.5 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 356 m to a summit of 829 m — a net gain of 473 m at an average gradient of 5.58%. That average sits squarely in the range where a climb is long enough to hurt but consistent enough to settle into a rhythm. The total ascent of 457 m confirms this is a climb that trends upward almost the whole way, with little in the way of false-flat relief to hide behind.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is 5.58%, but averages flatten the story. The maximum gradient hits 11.91%, more than double the mean, which tells you the road is not uniform. Expect the effort to breathe: stretches close to the average where you can hold tempo, punctuated by steeper ramps that spike well past 10% and force a response. The gap between the 457 m of total ascent and the 473 m net gain is small, so there is essentially no descending built in — every metre you climb, you keep. Ride the first two-thirds within yourself; the punchy sections are where the climb decides your day.

Pacing Notes

At 8.5 km and 5.58% average, Croix de Pierre is squarely a threshold effort for most riders — long enough that going into the red early on one of the 11.91% ramps will cost you far more time than it saves. Anchor your pacing to a percentage of your FTP and hold it steady, letting power drift up slightly on the steep pitches rather than surging. If you do not know your threshold number, run the FTP estimator first so your target on the day is grounded in real data rather than feel. The goal is to crest the 829 m summit having spent evenly, not to survive the middle and crawl the top.

Gearing

With ramps reaching 11.91%, you want a rear cassette that keeps your cadence up when the road bites. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 32-tooth sprocket — a 34×32 — is a sensible baseline for a fit rider on this category-2 gradient. If you climb at lower cadence, weigh more, or simply want insurance for the steep sections, step up to a 34×34. The extra range costs nothing on the shallower parts of the 5.58% average and saves your legs on the pitches that matter across all 8.5 km.

Summary

Croix de Pierre rewards riders who pace to the average and respect the spikes. It is a climb of rhythm broken by short, sharp demands — bring the gearing and the discipline to keep spinning, and the 473 m of climbing unfolds in your favour.

Length: 8.5 km
Average gradient: 5.58%
Max gradient: 11.91%
Start: 356 m
Summit: 829 m
Net gain: 473 m
Total ascent: 457 m
Category: 2