How to reach the tourist office?
From 20/04 to 15/12.
The pass is closed in winter and used for Nordic skiing etc. The road may be closed for road works at other times of the year: check with the Tourist Office for information.
In cycling circles, the Joux-Plane pass is reputed as being one of the six most challenging passes in the French mountains, along with the Galibier, Izoard, Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux and Tourmalet ascents.
This pass has often been a judge of peace for the riders of the Tour de France© and the Dauphiné Libéré©. Its ascent by bike from Samoëns, apart from the sporting performance which requires good training, is an opportunity to ride over a marvellous balcony overlooking the valley, then towards the Mont-Blanc massif in its most majestic profile... The road is closed to heavy goods vehicles and is not a major traffic artery, much to the delight of cycle tourists.
A few technical details:
The route presented here starts from Samoëns and follows the D354 road.
Departure altitude: 696 m
Arrival altitude at pass: 1684 m
Elevation gain: 990 m for a distance of 13.1 km, with an average gradient of 7.4%, but with passages of over 10%.
Difficulty: very difficult.
The safest way to a successful holiday in Samoëns. Located near the centre of the village, beside a vast free car park, the artificial winter ice rink, the Tourist Office is open to visitors all year round.
Free 40-space parking lot ideally located opposite the tourist office. It provides quick access to the various shops and to the bus station for those wishing to use public transport.
