From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the road to La Toussuire climbs steadily up to this village resort perched above 1,700 m, offering one of the most complete ascents in the Maurienne valley.
A steady climb from the valley floor
It’s 18 km for 1,150 m of elevation gain, averaging 6.5%. The first third, up to the hamlet of Fontcouverte, is the toughest with sections at 8-9%, before the gradient settles into a more reasonable rhythm the rest of the way to the resort.
A classic Tour de France stage finish
La Toussuire has hosted several Tour de France stage finishes, its road well suited to selective finishes without being as extreme as its Maurienne neighbors like the Glandon or Croix de Fer.
How to approach the ride
It’s worth holding something back through the steeper first third, even at the cost of a little time: the steadier gradient over the second half lets you rebuild a sustained pace all the way to the top.
When to climb it
May to October, ideally June to September when the road is clear and the resort’s terraces are open for a summit break.
Good to know
The climb combines easily with a link to Col du Mollard or a descent toward Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves to extend the ride within the Maurienne.
