COLLE DELLE SCALA
Cycling the Colle della Scala
Colle delle Scala (or as it’s known in France, Col de l’Échelle) is a little-know col between Italy and France. For a great day’s riding from the Genzianella, this should be on your list. This is a much better and quieter alternative to the Col de Montgenevre. The scenery and views from this climb are outstanding and from here you can cycle to the Col du Izoard, Col du Lautaret, Col du Galibier or Col du Granon or have a simple warm-up session to the village of Nevache or higher Nevache in the Vallée de la Clarée on the other side of the col.
COLLE DELLA SCALA DETAILS
Start: La Cascina Genzianella
Altitude: 1762m
Max: 8.5%
Average: 6%
KM: 26.7 (from Genzianella)
Brief: From the Genzianella take the back road (SS335) to Bardonecchia. Here you head for Melezet and the climbing starts towards Pian del Colle. A short flat section brings you in to France and then the real climbing starts 4.3 km on a gradient varying between 6 and 8.5% on average. A number of switchbacks past stunning scenery bring you a to high alpine meadow where, after 2 more kilometers, you reach the top of the climb.
Colle della Scala Cycling Videos
Col de l’Izoad, Col de l’Échelle e Monginevro
The Cycling Route: Bardonecchia to Briancon
Cycling App & Web Links for Colle della Scala
STRAVA
https://www.strava.com/segments/7879141
CLIMB FINDER
https://climbfinder.com/it/salite/col-de-l-echelle-bardonecchia
SPORT FOLKS
https://sportfolks.net/colle-della-scala-in-bici-la-salita-fra-italia-e-francia/
CYCLING CHALLENGE
https://www.cycling-challenge.com/passo-della-mulattiera-colle-della-scala/
Images: LightworksMedia