Croix de Savoie

Overview

Croix de Savoie is a long, category-1 haul that rewards patience over aggression. Across 18 km the road climbs from a valley start at 404 m to a summit of 1267 m, a net gain of 863 m. On paper the 4.78% average gradient reads as gentle, and for long stretches it is — but the 840 m of total ascent tells you the road is not perfectly uniform, and the 11.91% maximum confirms there are moments where the climb bites hard. This is a rhythm climb: settle in, meter your effort, and let the distance do the work rather than trying to force it.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to hold in your head is the 4.78% average, but averages hide the story. With a net gain of 863 m over 18 km and a total ascent of 840 m, the profile is close to a continuous climb with only minor relief — the two figures being within roughly 23 m of one another means there is little in the way of descending false-flat to recover on. Expect long ramps around the average interrupted by steeper pitches that stab toward the 11.91% maximum. Those steep sections are where riders who started too hot come undone. The overall shape is a sustained effort, not a series of walls, so the key is recognising when the road tips up and resisting the urge to fight every ramp.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. Your FTP is the number to anchor to: hold a steady percentage of it and let the 18 km pass beneath you rather than surging on every rise. A good target for a climb of this length is a controlled tempo-to-threshold effort you can sustain the full way to 1267 m. Bank effort on the shallower sections around 4.78% so you have headroom when the gradient spikes toward 11.91%. If you do not yet know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your ride, then divide the climb mentally into thirds and check your effort at each.

Gearing

The 4.78% average is manageable on almost any gearing, but the 11.91% pitches and the sheer 18 km length are what dictate your setup. For most riders a compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible choice. A 34×32 will cover you if you have strong legs and want to stay seated through the steep ramps at a respectable cadence. If you prefer to spin, or you are tackling this at the end of a long day, a 34×34 gives you that extra margin to keep the pedals turning smoothly when the road hits its steepest. Given the sustained nature of the climb, err toward the easier ratio — you will thank yourself in the final kilometres.

Summary

Croix de Savoie is a long, steady category-1 climb best ridden with discipline: pace to your threshold, gear low enough to spin the steep pitches, and let the 18 km unfold. Respect the distance and the 863 m of gain, and the summit at 1267 m arrives sooner than the numbers suggest.

Length: 18 km
Average gradient: 4.78%
Max gradient: 11.91%
Start: 404 m
Summit: 1267 m
Net gain: 863 m
Total ascent: 840 m
Category: 1