Less well known than its neighbour the Joux Plane, the road up to the Col de Joux Verte climbs above Morzine on a steeper line up to the Super Morzine resort, in the Chablais massif.
A sustained climb from Morzine
From the centre of Morzine, it’s 11.6 km for 820 m of elevation gain, averaging a fairly consistent 7.1% throughout, with a few stretches around 10% through the switchbacks just before the resort.
A quieter alternative to the Joux Plane
Popularised by several appearances in the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Joux Verte remains far less busy with cyclotourists than the Col de Joux Plane, made famous by the Tour de France, even though its profile is on average slightly tougher.
Getting the ride right
Compact or triple gearing helps hold a sustainable rhythm on the steady gradient, with none of the sharp surges to manage that come with more uneven climbs.
When to go
May to October — outside this window the road is frequently closed or snow-covered given the resort’s altitude.
Good to know
Morzine, a resort busy in both summer and winter, offers a wide choice of accommodation and makes it easy to combine this climb with the Col de Joux Plane or the Col de la Colombière for a fuller day out in the Chablais.
