4.9
(15)
1,761
riders
The 3 Cols Loop
07:45
128km
3,410m
Road cycling
The Col d'Allos from Barcelonnette - Pelat Massif is a difficult 79.8-mile road cycling route with 11202 feet of elevation gain.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions. Check ahead to confirm restricted segments are open to the public.
After 60.8 km for 6.84 km
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
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27.0 km
Col d'Allos
Highlight • Mountain Pass
Translated by Google •
Tip by
58.6 km
Champs Pass
Highlight • Viewpoint
Translated by Google •
Tip by
97.3 km
Cayolle Pass
Highlight • Mountain Pass
Translated by Google •
Tip by
128 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
121 km
6.23 km
1.31 km
151 m
103 m
Surfaces
128 km
254 m
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Elevation
Highest point (2,320 m)
Lowest point (1,040 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Friday 8 May
18°C
1°C
12 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park to start the Col d'Allos cycling route from Barcelonnette?
The route starts directly from Barcelonnette. You can find parking within the town itself to begin your ride up the Col d'Allos.
What are the road conditions and terrain like on the Col d'Allos from Barcelonnette?
The road surface is generally well-paved, but some sections, particularly on the descent back towards Barcelonnette, can be quite narrow, 'bumpy,' or 'embossed.' The initial kilometers from Barcelonnette are wider and straighter, but as you ascend, the road narrows significantly with dramatic twists and turns. The descent is considered technical due to tight bends and deep ravines.
How challenging is the Col d'Allos from Barcelonnette for road cycling?
This is considered a hard road ride, requiring very good fitness. It's known as one of the most demanding climbs, with an average gradient of 6.2% to 8.04% over 16.9 to 21.5 kilometers, and sections reaching 9%. The sustained nature of the climb, combined with a technical descent, makes it a significant test of endurance.
What kind of scenery and viewpoints can I expect along the route?
You'll experience remarkable and superb high mountain landscapes. The route offers breathtaking panoramic views, winding through alpine pastures and forests. As you climb, you'll overlook the impressive Gorges du Bachelard, with a vertiginous ravine on one side. The pass itself is revealed at the last moment in a bend, offering views of the road already conquered. Being in the Mercantour National Park, the area is rich in biodiversity.
Are there any notable landmarks or highlights on the Col d'Allos route?
Yes, the route features several notable points. You'll pass over the famous Col d'Allos itself. You'll also find the Champs Pass, which offers a great viewpoint, and the Cayolle Pass is often part of popular multi-col loops in the area.
What is the best time of year to cycle the Col d'Allos from Barcelonnette?
The best time to cycle is typically during the summer months when the pass is clear of snow. In July and August, the Col d'Allos is often closed to motorized vehicles on Friday mornings (8 a.m. to 11 a.m.), providing a unique and safer cycling experience.
Are there specific times when the Col d'Allos is closed to motorized traffic?
Yes, as a special initiative for cyclists, the Col d'Allos is often closed to motorized vehicles on Friday mornings from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. during July and August. This offers a unique opportunity to experience the climb with significantly reduced traffic.
Does this route connect with other cycling trails or loops?
Yes, the Col d'Allos is a popular component of multi-col cycling routes. It's frequently combined with the Col de la Cayolle and Col des Champs in a '3 Cols' loop starting from Barcelonnette. The route also overlaps with sections of official trails like 'Le Grand Tour Alpi Marittime-Mercantour Guillaumes * Barcelonnette' and 'Route des Grandes Alpes à vélo, étape 11, Barcelonnette / Valberg'.
Are there any permits or fees required to cycle in the Mercantour National Park?
While there are no specific permits or entrance fees required for cycling the Col d'Allos itself, as it's a public road, you are cycling within the Mercantour National Park. Please respect park regulations, which generally include staying on marked paths, not disturbing wildlife, and not leaving any trace.
Is the Col d'Allos from Barcelonnette route dog-friendly?
This is a challenging road cycling route, so bringing dogs along for the ride itself is not typical. If you are traveling with a dog and plan to be in the Mercantour National Park area, dogs are generally allowed on a leash in certain zones, but specific restrictions may apply, especially in core protected areas. Always check the latest park regulations if you plan to bring a pet.
What is the historical significance of the Col d'Allos in cycling?
The Col d'Allos has a rich history with the Tour de France, first appearing in 1911. It has been included 34 times, making it the 12th most visited col in TDF history. It's famously remembered for a legendary stage in 1975, where Bernard Thévenet described the descent into Barcelonnette as 'The most nightmarish moment of the 1975 Tour.'
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Trail Reviews
My two 16-year-old companions put it in a nutshell: "Best day ever". Finally arrived in the less touristy Mercantour, a round with 3 passes was on the program: Col de la Cayolle, Col des Champs, Col de Allos. The first two with very little traffic, all 3 terrific. Incredible prospects make you forget the effort. Col de la Cayolle (2,326 m | 30 km | 1190 m elevation gain | 4.0%) Col des Champs (2,087 m | 12.5 km | 827 m elevation gain | 6.6%) Col d'Allos (2,247 m | 24 km | 978 m altitude | 4.1%)
The nicest tour in France so far. I almost had Col da la Cayolle and Col des Champs to myself.
Wow, pretty nice here in the Ubaye Valley! A paradise for racing cyclists and for everyone who loves mountains! The descent from the Col des Champs was awesome. An incredibly beautiful panorama and hardly any traffic! 😍
This loop delivers on every level if you love your mountain cols. Scenery, hairpins, not too much traffic, marmottes and tonnes of character. You certainly don't need to add in the Pra Loup climb that's just where we were staying. And on a hot summers day look out for swimming spots on the descent from the Cayolle, it'll seriously revive those weary legs 😉
Actually everything is said in the headline. Three super nice passes beyond the 2000 mark! 1) The Col d'Allos is reserved for cyclists every Friday in July and August from 8-11, but if you start on Sundays at 7:30 a.m., the bit of traffic doesn't bother you. The pass becomes more and more beautiful at the top - a characteristic of many passes with long ascents. Allos itself is another ski resort that I don't like and from there the road is really wide: good for a descent. 2) You could almost miss the driveway to Col les Champs, it's so small. In the heat today, it was super pleasant that of the 800 meters in altitude, almost 700 meters were in the shade😅. At the top a wonderful view of mountains with different rocks and a great descent to St-Martin. There at the fountain there was a sign where you can find water (directly at the junction to the Col de la Cayolle on the French flag). 3) I urgently needed the filled water bottles, as it was over 30°C. For the first time I doused myself in water while riding to cool off! The first part of the pass is rather boring. But the final climb with beautiful curves and a small tunnel is a poem 👌. A little surprise at the top: It's relatively lonely here, although the Col de la Cayolle is part of the Tour des Grandes Alpes. But the crowd drives over the Cime de la Bonnette (I did last year too), which also has three *** in the Michelin Atlas and Col de la Cayolle only **. BUT: I personally think that's wrong, because the Col de la Cayolle is one of the few passes with a long climb that is beautiful from bottom to top and that's when you drive it from Barcelonette. I would still ride the lap like me because the Col d'Allos is really not attractive from the other side (my descent) and I was able to really enjoy the Col de la Cayolle on the descent.
I'm left breathless after this ride. Not because of being tired (it's quite the opposite, I feel energised and powerful!!), but because of awe and astonishment 🤩💯 I loved Col de la Cayolle two years ago and still do, but in combination with Col des Champs, one by another, I was confronted with a loading of beauty hard to bear 🥰💚💛🥰 Maybe that was the reason I extended the climb to the hotel for another 400 m, chasing the evening sun and views 💛 It seems that joy is a self-propelling mechanism. May it last long and when hard times come may the memory of it give strength to embrace and overcome the difficulties 🫶