EffortSignal

Long & moderate climbs

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The eastern road climbing Col de la Schlucht in the Vosges
The eastern approach to Col de la Schlucht, selected here from Munster.

Find a longer ascent with a milder overall average. Schlucht from Munster, Markstein from Kruth, Lautaret from Briançon and Gorges de la Nesque from Villes-sur-Auzon each meet two catalogue criteria: at least 10 km in length and an average gradient no higher than 5%.

Compare the climbs

4 selected routes, from 14.2 km to 26.2 km, with 421 m to 799 m of elevation gain.

Scenery and traffic highlights are based on published ratings.

Climb and approachDistanceElevation gainAverage gradient
Col de la Schlucht from Munster17.3 km750 m4.3%
Le Markstein from Kruth14.2 km697 m4.9%
Col du Lautaret from Briançon26.2 km799 m3.0%
Gorges de la Nesque from Villes-sur-Auzon18.2 km421 m2.3%

A gentler mean still includes ramps

The threshold applies to the saved whole-profile average, not every section of road. These climbs can still include steeper ramps and changing gradients. Open each elevation profile before deciding whether its shape suits your ride.

Three areas, four approaches

Schlucht and Markstein are in the Vosges. Lautaret starts in Briançon in the Alps; Gorges de la Nesque starts in Villes-sur-Auzon in Provence. Choose an area first: the list compares ride character across destinations rather than providing one connected itinerary.

Length is only part of the day

The table excludes the journey to the start, descent and return. A low mean gradient does not establish low traffic, an easy descent or suitability for beginners. Published scenery and traffic highlights, when available, remain separate from these numerical selection criteria.

Average gradient describes the recorded route as a whole. Open a climb to see its elevation profile and how the gradient changes along the road.

Further reading

Mont Ventoux summit above its pale limestone slopes

Ventoux climbs

4 climbs · Two sides of Ventoux, the Nesque gorge and a climb from Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt.

The Grand Ballon road crossing the wooded Vosges ridge

Vosges climbs

5 climbs · Forest climbs, ridge roads and the steep finish at La Planche des Belles Filles.

The road at Col d’Izoard surrounded by high Alpine slopes

Briançon climbs

6 climbs · Both sides of Izoard, steep Granon and high passes above the Queyras.