Climbs of the Alps: Col de la Bonette - Col de la Bonette: Steep finale on the ring road

Even if it is often claimed: The Col de la Bonette is not the highest Alpine pass. At 2,715 metres, it ranks fourth behind Iséran (2,764 m), the Stelvio Pass (2,757 m) and the Col d'Agnel (2,746 m). Even the Cime de la Bonette ring road, with its summit at 2,802 metres, is not the highest road in the Alps and certainly not in Europe, as signs at the side of the road claim. But even without a record, the climb is one of the most beautiful in the Alps. Far away from the ski resorts typical of France, you wind your way into the barren high mountains of the Maritime Alps, deeper and deeper into the Mercantour National Park.

While the southern ramp winds its way over an open mountain flank soon after the start, the northern ramp seems to have no way out time and again until several hairpin bends open up the way to the top. While climbing, there is time to enjoy the scenery, as both ramps climb steadily at an average of seven per cent. The difficulties of the Bonette are its length and the thin air at altitude. At over 2,500 metres, you pass ruined fortresses on the north side. The Restefond garrison and the secondary pass of the same name are the reason why the Bonette is often listed as "Restefond la Bonette". After the garrison, the view opens up to the Cime de la Bonette, in front of which a striking gap cuts through the ridge - the pass crossing. Once you have reached it, the toughest one hundred metres in altitude still lie ahead: with a gradient of eleven percent, the ring road demands your last reserves of strength. Only on the south side of the Cime, at the Napoleon memorial stone, is it done: you are 2,802 metres above sea level.

Despite its impressive height, the Bonette has not played a major role in the Tour de France route plan to date: it has only been crossed four times since 1962, most recently from the south in 2008. Other passes nearby The Larche (1,991 m), Lombarde (2,350 m), Cayolle (2,326 m) and Valberg (1,673 m) passes are within reach. However, there are only two possible round trips from Barcelonnette: 1. Larche - Lombarde - Bonette. 2. Bonette - Valberg - Cayolle. However, at 181 kilometres and 4,230 metres in altitude and 193 kilometres and 4,580 metres in altitude respectively, both are extremely long and difficult. Tip: Spend a few days in Barcelonnette. From there, you can climb the five passes in a star shape.

You can find the passport profile as a PDF download below.

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