Above Martigny, Col de la Forclaz climbs steep and steady toward the Trient valley, a traditional Swiss gateway to Chamonix and the Mont-Blanc massif.
A short but sustained ascent
From Martigny, it’s about 13 km for over 1,000 m of elevation gain, averaging 7.9%, with sections at 8.8%. The summit tops out at 1,527 m, with open views over the Rhône valley below.
A historic gateway to Chamonix
Col de la Forclaz links Martigny to Le Châtelard and the Trient valley, on one of the historic routes between Switzerland and French Haute-Savoie. This side was in fact used in the 2016 Tour de France, confirming the reputation of this demanding Alpine ascent despite its modest length.
How to approach the ride
The consistently sustained gradient leaves little respite: better to start with a compact crankset and a controlled rhythm from the very first hundred meters rather than aim for an uneven pace.
When to climb it
May to October, with the road staying rideable for much of the warm season without the altitude constraints of the major neighboring Alpine passes.
Good to know
The pass opens the way toward Le Châtelard and the French border in the direction of Chamonix — bring an ID document if the plan is to extend the ride onto the French side.