Plateau de Solaison
Plateau de Solaison is a brutal summit finish from the Arve valley. At nine percent average for more than eleven kilometres, it belongs firmly in the hardest category.
- Length
- 11.3 km
- Elevation Gain
- 1,017 m
- Average Gradient
- 9.0%
- Difficulty
- Hors Catégorie
Community recommendation
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Plateau de Solaison is one of the most severe climbs in this Tour de France 2026 set. The numbers are blunt: 11.3 kilometres, 1,017 metres of elevation gain and a nine percent average. There is no need to exaggerate it.
From Brizon and the Arve valley, the climb is steep enough to make rhythm difficult and long enough to make poor pacing very expensive. It is exactly the type of summit finish that can expose riders, both in the race and on a cycling trip.
How to Ride It
- Use your easiest climbing gear early.
- Do not chase a fast first kilometre.
- Keep fuelling before the steepness makes eating awkward.
Where to Stay
The Arve valley is the practical base, with nearby Alpine towns giving access to Solaison and other Haute Savoie climbs.
Practical Tips
- Geneva is a useful international gateway.
- Check the weather before riding, especially on exposed upper roads.
- Treat this as a main objective, not a casual extra.
Climbs worth travelling for
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