Col de la Bonette
The Col de la Bonette is a mountain pass that is located in Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. This climb belongs to the Alps. Pass through Jausiers is ranked number 100 of the Alps. The climb is ranked number 47 in France and number 332 on the global rating. Beginning from Jausiers, the Col de la Bonette ascent is 24 kilometers long. Over this distance, you climb 1589 meters in height. The average percentage is 6.6 percent. The maximum slope is 9 percent.
The pass is in the French Alps close to the border with Italy and at an elevation of 2,715 meters is high. You can find it in the Mercantour National Park on the boundary of the departments of Alpes-Maritimes. Its road over the col is the seventh-highest paved road in the Alps.
The apex is surrounded by road from the Col de la Bonette, which reaches 2,802 meters, and is the second-highest paved through route in the Alps. It is also the highest point reached by the Tour de France.
Looking at the climbing conditions in the pass, you see that the road is in a very good condition, well asphalted and smooth. Besides, the weather condition is good during the summer season. You can even get food on the road.
The climb to this pass is rather a long climb than a difficult one. So, be prepared for wind as you go close to the top. The small road around the apex can be closed as late as mid-June. Great views all along the way.
Climbing the Col de la Bonette
Climbing from Jausiers, on a Raid Alpine trip, in perfect weather, warm at lower levels and not too cold higher. A really enjoyable steady climb; the lower part you can wonder where it would go as it headed up into a valley head guarded by rock parapets; but then the road will be swinging off and climbing tenaciously around to reach a high open valley. From here landscape opens out, sweeping views and sight of the Cime in distance.
Once in this higher valley, the road climbs steadily still, never too steep but also with little respite sections. Just keep the gear low at this height and enjoy it! The final loop is steep, and then a fantastic descent down through the old military fortifications and onto the much-photographed series of hairpins.
