BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE
Very testing route, mainly due to the length of the climb leading to Cogne, which, although of an acceptable gradient, may seem interminable to the untrained cyclists.
Technical info
Starting off from Cogne, the entire first part of the route is on an uncomplicate descent with 7 tunnels, which are also included in the ascent.
Past Aymavilles, the route goes to Villeneuve – half way through – and takes in the short and sharp Bertola climb (2.5km / 9.4% average gradient) which will allow the legs to warm up after a descent that, traffic permitting, lasts over half an hour.
Back in Aymavilles, the route negotiates another climb. This is followed by a short descent, and another stretch rises at a 7% gradient leading to the almost 14-km false-flat at 2-3% that heads to Lillaz, the hamlet of Cogne hosting the Giro 2022 stage finish.
A short descent takes you to the start point at the car park in Cogne.
NOTES:
As the sr.47 is the only road connecting Cogne to the valley floor, it can be congested, especially in summer.
Cogne is home to an interesting Mining Museum relating to the magnetite mine closed in 1979. As a curiosity, the mine was connected to Aosta for the transport of the ore by a Cogne-Acquefredde (Pila/Gressan) railway where a cable car then transported the material to Aosta.
ROUTE CHANGE DURING YOUR RIDE:
If you feel like doing it, as an alternative or in addition to the passage to Lillaz, once you are back to Cogne, you can reach Valnontey with an easy climb similar to the one to Lillaz. Valnontey hosted the finish of the Gran Paradiso stage in 1985, when Andy Hampsten claimed the victory. Three years later he won the Giro.
Are you ready to ride
with Komoot?
