What are the cycling conditions like in Col de Larche?

🚦 Opening / closure pattern Officially open all year in normal conditions. Temporary closures happen during heavy snowfalls or avalanche risk. It belongs to the category of lower-high Alpine passes (<2000 m), which are typically rideable April/May → October depending on snow. 👉 Meaning: it’s one of the rare Alpine border passes that stays open most of winter for traffic, but cycling usability ≠ official open status. 🌦️ Typical weather through the year (cyclist-focused) Winter (Nov–Mar) Usually too cold for enjoyable cycling at high altitude. Snow, ice patches, short daylight, and wind chill common. Even if road is open, it may be unsafe for bikes. Cyclist reality: only possible on unusually warm dry days. Spring (Apr–May) Highly variable: sun one day, cold rain or snow the next. Snowbanks may still line roads above ~2000 m. Cyclist reality: shoulder season; check forecast + road reports. Summer (Jun–Aug) Best conditions overall. Warm valleys but summit can be ~20 °C colder (≈6.5 °C drop per 1000 m). Afternoon thunderstorms possible. Cyclist reality: ideal riding months; bring layers for descent. Autumn (Sep–Oct) Still warm early autumn (≈21 °C Sept avg high regionally). Rain increases and first snow possible late season. Cyclist reality: excellent riding early autumn; late autumn risky. 🌬️ Additional hazards specific to this pass 16 sharp hairpins on route. French side cycling section is officially restricted due to rockfall risk. 📊 Seasonal rideability overview Season Rideability Main risks Winter | ❌ Usually poor | snow, ice, wind Spring | ⚠️ Variable | sudden storms, snow patches Summer | ✅ Best | thunderstorms Autumn | 👍 Early good | rain, early snow 🧭 Practical planning tips Temperature difference valley → summit can exceed 20 °C on hot days. Weather changes rapidly in high mountains. Even when open, conditions may become unsafe quickly. ✅ Short summary Col de Larche is technically open year-round, but for cyclists the reliable season is roughly May–September. Outside that window expect cold, snow risk, or sudden closures, even if the road isn’t officially closed.

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

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Pass Information

1,991m

Elevation

Current status: open

Opening Period: Ganzjährig offen

Wed

26 Aug

cloud

Overcast

N/A — N/A

19° / 12°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 88 %

🚦 Opening / closure pattern

Officially open all year in normal conditions.
Temporary closures happen during heavy snowfalls or avalanche risk.
It belongs to the category of lower-high Alpine passes (<2000 m), which are typically rideable April/May → October depending on snow.

👉 Meaning: it’s one of the rare Alpine border passes that stays open most of winter for traffic, but cycling usability ≠ official open status.

🌦️ Typical weather through the year (cyclist-focused)

Winter (Nov–Mar)

Usually too cold for enjoyable cycling at high altitude.
Snow, ice patches, short daylight, and wind chill common.
Even if road is open, it may be unsafe for bikes.

Cyclist reality: only possible on unusually warm dry days.

Spring (Apr–May)

Highly variable: sun one day, cold rain or snow the next.
Snowbanks may still line roads above ~2000 m.

Cyclist reality: shoulder season; check forecast + road reports.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Best conditions overall.
Warm valleys but summit can be ~20 °C colder (≈6.5 °C drop per 1000 m).
Afternoon thunderstorms possible.

Cyclist reality: ideal riding months; bring layers for descent.

Autumn (Sep–Oct)

Still warm early autumn (≈21 °C Sept avg high regionally).
Rain increases and first snow possible late season.

Cyclist reality: excellent riding early autumn; late autumn risky.

🌬️ Additional hazards specific to this pass

16 sharp hairpins on route.
French side cycling section is officially restricted due to rockfall risk.

📊 Seasonal rideability overview

🧭 Practical planning tips

Temperature difference valley → summit can exceed 20 °C on hot days.
Weather changes rapidly in high mountains.
Even when open, conditions may become unsafe quickly.

✅ Short summary

Col de Larche is technically open year-round, but for cyclists the reliable season is roughly May–September. Outside that window expect cold, snow risk, or sudden closures, even if the road isn’t officially closed.

Check weather on own route

Location

Weather Forecast

Next 7 Days

Wed

26 Aug

cloud

Overcast

N/A — N/A

19° / 12°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 88 %

Thu

27 Aug

dark_mode

Mainly clear

N/A — N/A

23° / 11°

Precipitation 1 mm

Humidity 88 %

Fri

28 Aug

water_drop

Light rain

N/A — N/A

15° / 9°

Precipitation 13 mm

Humidity 100 %

Sat

29 Aug

dark_mode

Clear sky

N/A — N/A

17° / 4°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 100 %

Sun

30 Aug

dark_mode

Clear sky

N/A — N/A

21° / 7°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 81 %

Mon

31 Aug

dark_mode

Clear sky

N/A — N/A

20° / 8°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 82 %

Tue

01 Sep

water_drop

Light rain

N/A — N/A

20° / 9°

Precipitation 3 mm

Humidity 95 %

Climate Overview

Month	Temp Day	Temp Night	Sunny Days	Sun Hours	Rain Days	Precipitation	Humidity	UV Index	Day Length
Jan	-1°C	-9°C	17	5.4h	20	122 mm	75 %	2	9h 17m
Feb	1°C	-8°C	21	7.6h	10	18 mm	73 %	3	10h 28m
Mar	1°C	-7°C	22	8.5h	17	117 mm	70 %	4	11h 57m
Apr	5°C	-3°C	23	9.4h	16	136 mm	68 %	5	13h 29m
May	12°C	1°C	30	12.5h	21	98 mm	65 %	6	14h 48m
Jun	20°C	9°C	30	14.0h	18	42 mm	67 %	7	15h 28m
Jul	19°C	7°C	31	14.0h	16	47 mm	66 %	8	15h 7m
Aug	20°C	9°C	28	12.0h	15	51 mm	68 %	7	13h 58m
Sep	15°C	4°C	29	10.7h	11	59 mm	70 %	5	12h 29m
Oct	11°C	1°C	27	8.9h	11	77 mm	72 %	4	10h 58m
Nov	4°C	-5°C	23	7.2h	11	95 mm	76 %	2	9h 36m
Dec	1°C	-7°C	17	5.3h	14	85 mm	77 %	2	8h 54m