From Saint-Martin-d'Entraunes the Col des Champs climbs the D2 for about 16 km on the eastern, Var-valley side of the pass, gaining roughly 1,050 m at an average near 6.5%. The lower half runs through forest on a series of switchbacks; a brief flatter section near the Val-Pelens area gives a breather before the road opens into alpine meadows for the demanding final ramp to the col. The pass links the valleys of the Var and the Verdon, sitting on the boundary between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes departments. It is commonly ridden as part of the Barcelonnette loop combining the Col de la Cayolle and the Col d'Allos.
Col des Champs
2087 m · France
Open late April–mid-November; closed in winterRoad D2
Open on the map →The side
| From | Length | Gain | Avg | Max | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Martin-d'Entraunes | 16.1 km | +1046 m | 6.5% | ≈11.9% | HC |
From Saint-Martin-d'Entraunes
Hors catégorie≈31 hairpin bendsfaces SE
0–4%4–7%7–10%10–12%12%+
The climb
Race history
1× Tour de France · 1975–1975