Cycling at Planche des Belles Filles, Mountain cycling route in Vosges Mountains, France
Cycling at Planche des Belles Filles is a mountain route in the Vosges that spans roughly 6 kilometers with about 500 meters of climbing. The road grows progressively steeper and reaches gradients exceeding 25 percent as you approach the summit.
The route entered Tour de France history in 2012 when Chris Froome summited first, creating an immediate connection to professional cycling. Since then it has remained a regular feature of the race.
The name originates from a local legend about women who jumped from the mountainside in 1635 rather than be captured by foreign soldiers. This story remains woven into how people here understand their place.
Riders can begin from Plancher-les-Mines, where parking is available both at the base and near the summit ski station. Starting early helps you avoid crowds and the afternoon heat that builds on exposed sections.
An unpaved section beyond the ski station was added in 2020, extending the route past where most races used to finish. This rough extension now makes the final push significantly harder for many riders.
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