Col des Pres
 This pass
is at the approximate center of four passes in the
southern end of the Bauge massif. ( in addition to
this one: Col du
Frene, Col
de Plainpalais and Col de Marocaz )
All of them make for great cycling on curvy
secondary roads with little traffic. Three of
these passes provide a relatively direct north -
south route, this one amongst them.
The name Pres means fields, and gives a good clue
what the top looks like. It is a straight,
shallow, green saddle ,slightly above treeline
between linear ridges. The pass has been part of a
Tour de France stage. The stage finished on the
nearby Semnoz summit. But for me the greatest
attraction were the scenes created by the play of
clearing clouds with the scenery.
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1.(640m,00.0km)START-END
EAST: Lescheraines
2.(900m,11.0km)Aillon-le-Jeune
3.(1134m,14.6km)TOP: Col Des Prés
4.(690m,20.8km)jct with D206, direct
approach from Chambery
5.(320m,30.5km)START-END WEST: jct
D1006-D21, south of La Ravoire and
Chambery
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 Approaches
From West. There are
several approach possibilities for the lower part,
one directly from Chanberry. I profiled a
different option, that I took. It turns out
of the valley south of Challe-les-Eaux and
climbs north between intermittent views on garden
furniture, set into the exquisite garden context
of a few luxury homes. Across the valley appears
an occasional view of a cliff in the Chartreuse
area.
Rather than staying right to Col de Marocaz,
the profile goes left and climbs into lofty
meadows, sprinkled with loosely spaced housing,
comprising spread out villages. Thoiry is the most
picturesque one of them. The pass climbs above
this village, and then traverses over to the next
high valley to the west. The road summits with a
long straight away, and two new peaks of the Bauge
Massif appear in view for the first time.
Generally I don't photograph advertising, like the
billboard for local cheese at the right. However,
now that I am back home, where making affordable
cheese amounts to making industrial sludge, and
advertising hits you over the head like a brick, I
remember this advertisement at the top of Col des
Pres with fondness.
From East. (described
downwards) The meadow gently heads for the forest,
and after a switchback a small village appears at
the base of the two peaks. This is Ailion Le
Jeune. The profile continues downhill to the
junction with the road to Col Plainpalais.
A Dayride with this point as intermediate
summit is on page Col Du Lindar
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