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Col du Mollard
The Col du Mollard opens onto the hamlet of the same name above Albiez-Montrond, below the Aiguilles d'Arves. Forty-five hairpins, on a source nobody corroborates.
Arlyn Asch from San Diego · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
What is Col du Mollard
The Col du Mollard is given as 1,638 m by Maurienne Tourisme and 1,630 m by cols-cyclisme. It opens onto the hamlet of Le Mollard, the upper part of the village of Albiez-Montrond, below the Aiguilles d'Arves.
Its reputation rests on its 45 hairpins — a figure that comes from a single family of sources and that no independent page consulted recounts. The climb is about 12 km at 6 or 7% average, a range suggesting the sources aggregate two different sides.
A lake sits right beside the pass and the sources say you can swim in it. None mentions supervision, a season or water quality: this page records the lake, not a supervised swim.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Altitude
1,638 m (Maurienne Tourisme) · 1,630 m (cols-cyclisme). Two figures, unarbitrated.
Coordinates
Hairpins
45, from a single family of sources and uncorroborated
Climb
About 12 km, 6 to 7% average depending on the source
Situation
Gateway to the hamlet of Le Mollard, upper Albiez-Montrond, below the Aiguilles d'Arves
At the pass
A lake and a fountain. Sources mention swimming without any supervision, season or water quality.
Opening
Price
Free, open access
Tour de France
Crossings reported in 2006, 2012 and 2015 (secondary sources)
Parking
Dogs
Accessibility
Access
How to get there
By car
Via Albiez-Montrond from the Arc valley. No source consulted gives a road number or an opening period.
Open in MapsBy bike
About 12 km at 6 or 7% average with 45 hairpins. The gradient range suggests the sources aggregate several sides: climbs from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, via Albiez-Montrond, or via Albiez-le-Jeune and the Col de la Confrérie.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
No source consulted publishes an opening period. At 1,638 m the road is likely affected by snow, but nothing is documented: check before going up out of season.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Open (cleared road)
Winter infrastructure
Alpine skiing · Sledging
Snow panorama
Alpine panorama
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
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Become a partnerA nearby stay?
Gîte, B&B, campsite, rental in Albiez-Montrond.
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Gallery
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How high is the Col du Mollard?
Two figures: 1,638 m per Maurienne Tourisme, 1,630 m per cols-cyclisme. Eight metres apart, unarbitrated.
How many hairpins does the climb have?
The sources say 45 hairpins. The figure comes from one family of pages and has not been recounted by any independent source consulted.
Can you swim at the pass?
A lake sits beside the pass and the sources say you can swim in it, but none mentions supervision, a season or water-quality testing. Nothing supports advertising it as a managed swimming spot.
Is the pass road open all year?
No source consulted publishes an opening or closing period for the road.
Has the Tour de France crossed the Col du Mollard?
Crossings are reported in 2006, 2012 and 2015 by secondary sources, unconfirmed by any official source.
Sources
Sources & verification
- Maurienne Tourisme — col du Mollard
- Vélo Maurienne — col du Mollard par Albiez-Montrond
- Cycling French Alps — col du Mollard via Albiez-le-Jeune
- Cols-cyclisme — col du Mollard depuis Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
- Cirkwi — col du Mollard par Albiez-Montrond
- Club des Cent Cols — le col du Mollard
- La Toussuire — col du Mollard par Albiez-Montrond
- Alpes4ever — col du Mollard
- explore-maurienne.com
- data.geopf.fr
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
Nearby
Nearby
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