Golet de Doucy

Overview

The Golet de Doucy is a Category 1 climb in France, rising 934 metres over 8.9 kilometres from a start elevation of 580 metres to a summit at 1,334 metres. That works out to an average gradient of 8.46% — sustained, punishing, and with no meaningful flat section to recover on. The headline number, however, is the maximum gradient of 38.82%. That figure places at least one ramp on this climb among the steepest rideable pitches in European cycling.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With 934 metres of total ascent packed into under 9 kilometres, the Golet de Doucy offers no gentle introduction. The average of 8.46% tells you the climb is hard from bottom to top, but averages hide the true shape of the road.

• Lower slopes: Expect the climb to establish its intent early. An 8.46% mean over the full length means any section sitting below that figure is simply borrowing gradient from somewhere steeper ahead.
• Mid-section: This is where accumulated fatigue begins to compound. Riders who have pushed above threshold in the opening kilometres will feel the debt here.
• Upper slopes and the peak ramp: The 38.82% maximum gradient is an outlier by any measure — roughly double the average. This pitch will appear somewhere on the upper road and will demand either a near-standstill effort or, for riders without sufficiently low gearing, a dismount. At that gradient, forward momentum becomes the primary challenge, not just power output.

Pacing Notes

The combination of a high sustained average and an extreme peak gradient makes pacing strategy critical. Riders who treat the Golet de Doucy as a threshold effort from the base will almost certainly be forced into anaerobic territory before the summit.

Recommended approach:

• Ride the lower two-thirds at a controlled effort well below your FTP. On an 8.46% average climb with 8.9 km to cover, time-in-zone matters more than peak power.
• Use gradient cues — changes in road surface, hairpin angles, tree cover breaking — to anticipate steeper sections ahead.
• Before the maximum ramp, drop to your lowest gear early. Attempting a gear change on a 35%+ pitch under load risks a chain drop or complete loss of momentum.
• If your cassette tops out at 32 or 34 teeth paired with a compact chainset, the 38.82% section will still require extreme effort. A 36-tooth or larger rear sprocket is worth considering if you know this climb is on your route. Use the FTP Estimator to gauge what power-to-weight ratio you'll need to keep the pedals turning.

Gearing

Do not underestimate the 38.82% maximum. On a gradient that steep, a rider weighing 70 kg would need to generate enough force to move almost vertically upward. Most standard compact groupsets will leave you in the red. An ultra-compact or 1x setup with a wide-range cassette is the practical choice for anyone not racing at a high level.

Category Context

A Category 1 rating confirms this is one of the harder climbs in its region. At 934 metres of total ascent, it sits in the same tier as climbs that regularly feature in major stage races. Approach it with the same respect you'd give any long, steep Alpine ascent — because that is exactly what it is.