Col de la Joux Verte

Col de la Joux Verte

The Col de la Joux Verte is often celebrated as the scenic gateway to the futuristic, car-free resort of Avoriaz. Geographically, this climb carves through the Chablais Massif, a rugged limestone range between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Rising to 1,760 meters, the route offers a masterclass in French road engineering. As you leave the valley floor, you are immediately greeted by a legendary series of tightly stacked hairpins—the very same ones where Bernard Hinault famously set a record time of 33 minutes during a 1979 Tour de France time trial. The wide, sweeping curves are a hallmark of the 1960s "snow-plan" era, designed to transform this once-isolated alpine pasture into a world-class destination. As you grind through the 14-kilometer climb, the dense pine forests—the namesake "Green Forest"—eventually give way to expansive, sun-drenched pastures. The history of this road is inextricably linked to the vision of Jean Vuarnet, the 1960 Olympic downhill champion, who helped develop the resort and the road to reach it. This second half of the ride transitions from technical switchbacks to longer curves that skirt dramatic limestone cliffs above the Vallée des Ardoisières, historically famous for its slate mines. While the average gradient sits at a manageable 6%, the steady vertical gain of 850 meters and the thin mountain air ensure a challenging finish. Reaching the summit rewards you with a vast panorama of the Savoie peaks, marking your arrival at a true monument of professional cycling and modern alpine history.