A former trade route between Nice and Piedmont, Col de Braus is known for the dozens of tightly stacked hairpins that climb its eastern side from Sospel, a classic training climb for Nice-based riders.
A cascade of hairpins on the eastern side
From Sospel, it’s 10.3 km for 700 m of elevation gain, averaging 6.8%. The road climbs through a tight sequence of switchbacks, each corner offering a new angle on the Bévéra valley below.
A Mediterranean climate all the way to the top
Unlike the big alpine passes, Col de Braus tops out at just 1,002 m amid scrubland and pines, allowing rides from early spring onward, even when the high-mountain passes nearby are still closed.
Getting the ride right
The chain of hairpins demands repeated accelerations out of each turn, more taxing than the average gradient suggests. Careful hydration still helps, as sun exposure is significant on this south-east-facing slope.
When to go
April to November — the pass’s modest altitude allows a much longer season than the neighbouring alpine climbs. In summer, an early start helps avoid the heat.
Good to know
Sospel, the starting town, is also a classic gateway to Col de Turini, letting well-trained riders combine both climbs in the same outing.
