{"id":8004,"date":"2026-04-06T17:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsacienne-cyclo.org\/?p=8004"},"modified":"2026-04-08T12:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T10:00:30","slug":"le-col-du-haag-une-montee-exigeante","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsacienne-cyclo.org\/en\/le-col-du-haag-une-montee-exigeante\/","title":{"rendered":"The Col du Haag, a demanding climb"},"content":{"rendered":"

If this is your first time cycling in the Vosges, don't be mistaken. The soft rounded tops of the mountains are deceptive. On the last Sunday in June, participants in L\u2019Alsacienne<\/a> will discover this as they climb the mountain greenway that leads to the Col du Haag. The climb lasts for 11.2 km.<\/p>\n

The foot of the pass: the heart of the matter<\/h2>\n

The very first kilometre sets the tone. There is no gradual warm-up<\/strong>. The road rises sharply with a gradient of over 10%<\/strong> and even a section at 19%! Riding out of the saddle (read our article)<\/a><\/em> is often not a choice by a necessity to climb the first slopes just after the Saint-Amarin feed zone. In any case, standing on the pedals will enable you to avoid excessive strain on your quadriceps right away, as reaching the top of the Col du Haag, still out of view, has to be earned<\/strong>. It will be a long climb.<\/p>\n

There is a slightly less steep section after the last houses in the village of Saint-Amarin. The road surface is good and you may find the coolness refreshing as you enter the forest. But a word of advice, even if still have energy in your legs: take advantage of this let-up to get your breath back and pedal smoothly. If you are over-optimistic, the next part of the climb will be punishing.<\/p>\n

\"Sch\u00e9ma<\/a><\/p>\n

The right pace: listen to your body<\/h2>\n

After a climb of 2.5 kilometers you will reach the first hairpin bend. You must now :<\/p>\n