What are the cycling conditions like in Col de Carabès?

Seasonal Conditions for Cyclists ❄ Winter (Dec–Feb) Not officially listed as a high Alpine closure pass, but snow and ice are common at this altitude . Narrow road + shade + low sun → icy patches linger. Expect very limited rideability , especially mornings. Snow removal is not guaranteed on small regional passes (common in this elevation class). 👉 Realistic cycling status: often rideable only during mild winters or short warm spells. 🌱 Spring (Mar–May) Melt season: wet road surface, debris, gravel from winter plowing. Early spring mornings may still freeze at 1200 m. Weather changes quickly in mountain zones. 👉 Best window: late April → May , once night temps stay above freezing. ☀ Summer (Jun–Aug) Prime season for riding. Stable weather, dry tarmac, long daylight. Still cooler than valleys — mountain elevation keeps temps moderate. Popular for demanding road loops requiring strong fitness. 👉 Expect: Pleasant climbing temperatures Occasional thunderstorms (typical Alps pattern) 🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) September: excellent — dry air, stable weather, little traffic. October: colder mornings, leaves + moisture can reduce grip. November: risk of first snowfalls and sudden closures (even on mid-altitude passes). Wind & Exposure Terrain is relatively open near summit → wind exposure possible. Strong winds more common during seasonal transitions (spring/autumn). Road-Specific Hazards Narrow carriageway Steep ramps in sections Potential gravel or small rockfall (typical minor Alpine roads) Opening / Closing Pattern Unlike famous high passes, no fixed official closure season is published for this pass. But based on altitude (~1260 m) and regional Alpine norms: Period & Typical status Dec–Feb | Often snowy / risky Mar | Variable Apr–Nov | Usually open Late Nov | Possible snow closures What Cyclists Should Expect Overall Difficulty: moderate climb but requires fitness. Weather variability: medium — mountain microclimate. Traffic: low (secondary road). Scenery: highly rated panoramic views. 🧭 Short Summary Col de Carabès is generally rideable April–November, best June–September. Winter often brings snow and ice, but closures are informal rather than scheduled. Expect a quiet, scenic mid-altitude Alpine climb with occasional wind, debris after winter, and rapid weather changes typical of mountain terrain.

Back to Alpine Passes

Detailed cycling weather forecast for Col de Carabès. See wind direction, temperature and rain along the entire climb and descent.

✓ Open

Visit alpen-paesse.ch

Pass Information

1,261m

Elevation

Current status: closed

Opening Period: Ganzjährig offen

Current Conditions

D27 from Serres to La Piarre Col de Carabès, the road is closed for the winter from 21/11/25 until approximately 31/03/26

Wed

11 Mar

water_drop

Rain showers

06:56 — 18:37

8° / 1°

Precipitation 9 mm

Humidity 100 %

Seasonal Conditions for Cyclists

❄ Winter (Dec–Feb)

Not officially listed as a high Alpine closure pass, but snow and ice are common at this altitude.
Narrow road + shade + low sun → icy patches linger.
Expect very limited rideability, especially mornings.
Snow removal is not guaranteed on small regional passes (common in this elevation class).

👉 Realistic cycling status: often rideable only during mild winters or short warm spells.

🌱 Spring (Mar–May)

Melt season: wet road surface, debris, gravel from winter plowing.
Early spring mornings may still freeze at 1200 m.
Weather changes quickly in mountain zones.

👉 Best window: late April → May, once night temps stay above freezing.

☀ Summer (Jun–Aug)

Prime season for riding.
Stable weather, dry tarmac, long daylight.
Still cooler than valleys — mountain elevation keeps temps moderate.
Popular for demanding road loops requiring strong fitness.

👉 Expect:

Pleasant climbing temperatures
Occasional thunderstorms (typical Alps pattern)

🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov)

September: excellent — dry air, stable weather, little traffic.
October: colder mornings, leaves + moisture can reduce grip.
November: risk of first snowfalls and sudden closures (even on mid-altitude passes).

Wind & Exposure

Terrain is relatively open near summit → wind exposure possible.
Strong winds more common during seasonal transitions (spring/autumn).

Road-Specific Hazards

Narrow carriageway
Steep ramps in sections
Potential gravel or small rockfall (typical minor Alpine roads)

Opening / Closing Pattern

Unlike famous high passes, no fixed official closure season is published for this pass.
But based on altitude (~1260 m) and regional Alpine norms:

Period & Typical status
Dec–Feb | Often snowy / risky
Mar | Variable
Apr–Nov | Usually open
Late Nov | Possible snow closures

What Cyclists Should Expect Overall

Difficulty: moderate climb but requires fitness.
Weather variability: medium — mountain microclimate.
Traffic: low (secondary road).
Scenery: highly rated panoramic views.

🧭 Short Summary

Col de Carabès is generally rideable April–November, best June–September. Winter often brings snow and ice, but closures are informal rather than scheduled. Expect a quiet, scenic mid-altitude Alpine climb with occasional wind, debris after winter, and rapid weather changes typical of mountain terrain.

Check weather on own route

Location

Weather Forecast

Next 7 Days

Wed

11 Mar

water_drop

Rain showers

06:56 — 18:37

8° / 1°

Precipitation 9 mm

Humidity 100 %

Thu

12 Mar

water_drop

Rain showers

06:55 — 18:39

10° / 1°

Precipitation 1 mm

Humidity 96 %

Fri

13 Mar

cloud

Overcast

06:53 — 18:40

10° / 0°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 91 %

Sat

14 Mar

ac_unit

Snow

06:51 — 18:41

3° / -3°

Precipitation 14 mm

Humidity 99 %

Sun

15 Mar

ac_unit

Snow

06:49 — 18:42

5° / -3°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 83 %

Mon

16 Mar

cloud

Overcast

06:47 — 18:44

9° / 0°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 71 %

Tue

17 Mar

cloud

Overcast

06:45 — 18:45

13° / 1°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 88 %

Climate Overview

Month	Temp Day	Temp Night	Sunny Days	Sun Hours	Rain Days	Precipitation	Humidity	UV Index	Day Length
Jan	5°C	-3°C	15	5.3h	17	128 mm	75 %	2	9h 17m
Feb	8°C	-2°C	20	7.3h	9	33 mm	73 %	3	10h 28m
Mar	9°C	-1°C	25	8.7h	14	99 mm	70 %	4	11h 57m
Apr	13°C	3°C	27	10.0h	19	136 mm	68 %	5	13h 30m
May	16°C	5°C	31	12.8h	17	76 mm	65 %	6	14h 49m
Jun	24°C	12°C	30	13.9h	9	40 mm	67 %	7	15h 29m
Jul	22°C	11°C	31	13.6h	8	33 mm	66 %	8	15h 8m
Aug	24°C	12°C	28	12.0h	7	48 mm	68 %	7	13h 58m
Sep	17°C	8°C	27	10.3h	10	109 mm	70 %	5	12h 30m
Oct	13°C	4°C	23	8.6h	10	104 mm	72 %	4	10h 57m
Nov	7°C	0°C	18	6.3h	12	100 mm	76 %	2	9h 36m
Dec	7°C	-1°C	21	6.4h	9	46 mm	77 %	2	8h 53m