Izoard, Lautaret, Galibier

Three names that loom large in the collective imagination of the Tour de France.

These twists and turns below the peaks are a must for every cyclist.

At Lautaret, the green of the pastures contrasts with the glaciers, at Galibier the view stretches further than far, towards Savoie, Queyras and Ecrins, and at Izoard we go from luminous melezin to lunar desert.

randonnée vélo la grave
©T. Blais

A few ideas cycling routes

col de l'echelle - Blais T. © T . Blais

The Portes pass

hamlets of La Grave

A small, winding road with tight hairpins leads to the hamlets of La Grave, where the Meije, Râteau and glaciers seem to be right there in front of our wheels.

  • 9 km, + 380 m
  • Average gradient: 7.5%,
  • Departure: La Grave or Villar d'Arène

Col du Lautaret

2057 m

This relatively gentle climb is a feast for the eyes: from the Montagne des Agneaux to the Grand Pic de la Meije, the giants of the Ecrins National Park and their glaciers follow us all the way. At the pass, a cool drink to contemplate?

  • 21.5 km, + 585 m
  • Slope: 3.5 to 7%.
  • Departure: La Grave or Villar d'Arène
col du galibier en vélo © T. Blais
Col du Galibier AgenceKros Remi Fabregue

The Galibier pass

2642 m

An obligatory climb in every cyclist's dance card. The route first climbs to the Col du Lautaret, with the Meije massif as its companion, then steadily sloping switchbacks cross the ridges that separate us from Savoie. The terrace of the beautiful Refuge du Galibier offers respite before or after the three 10% bends leading to the summit.

  • 9 km, + 1170 m
  • Average gradient: 6.9% between Le Lautaret and Le Galibier.
  • Departure: La Grave or Villar d'Arène

The big loop

de la Marmotte

The long loop of the La Marmotte cycle race takes you from the Oisans to the Maurienne, crossing the Glandon, Galibier and Lautaret passes. You're back in the sunshine of the Briançonnais.

  • 177 km, + 5016 m
  • Departure: La Grave or Villar d'Arène
Col du Galibier_HD ©AgenceKros Remi Fabregue AgenceKros Remi Fabregue

All cycling itineraries in the high valleys - La Grave, Clarée, Izoard

Vous recherchez des informations pratiques pour l’ascension des grands cols du Briançonnais ?

Col de l'Izoard, Col du Galibier, Col du Lautaret, Col de l'Échelle - all mythical names for cycling around Briançon-Serre-Chevalier. Would you like to climb them? In challenge mode, in the footsteps of Tour de France champions, or for pleasure, on an electric bike?

Find out more about the routes and information before setting off to climb these passes.

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    Operations PASSES RESERVED FOR CYCLISTS

    The major Alpine passes open to traffic between late April and late May or mid-June, depending on altitude and spring weather. This is the time to get out the bikes and try to climb the mythical cols of the Tour de France.

    During the summer season, you can take advantage of the Cols réservés operation to climb the Hautes-Alpes passes in complete safety, in the company of other cyclists, because for one morning the road will be closed to motorized traffic.

    Retrouvez toutes les dates des cols réservés dans les Hautes Vallées – La Grave, la Clarée, l’Izoard ci-dessous.

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      Focus on The Grands Cols tour

      Col Izoard cyclisme - Alpes Photographies - Que faire en Izoard

      What is the Grands Cols tour?

      Une semaine pour découvrir les grands cols du Briançonnais et du Queyras : les plus beaux cols des Hautes-Alpes. Chaque jour un nouveau col à découvrir en toute sécurité avec la route fermée à la circulation automobile. Col du Galibier, col du Granon, col de l’Izoard, col Agnel ou encore le col de l’Échelle.

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