Grenoble Cycling Pages - The Alpine Cols A-F

Grenoble Local Alps Index of Cols A-F

Alpe d'Huez (1830m)

The most famous climb in cycling. 21 hairpins take you from the valley floor up to the ski resort of Alpe d'Huez. It is also possible to continue from Alpe d'Huez over the Col de Sarennes and descend down to the Barrage du Chambon at the foot of the Deux Alpes.

See July 2002---July 2001---October 2000---July 2000---May 2000

South - Bourg d'Oisans (720m), 14km, D1130m

Click for the Alpe d'Huez Information Page

La Berarde (1711m)

The road is La Berarde is a one-way climb into the heart of the Ecrins massif. The small village is a popular destination with walkers, and cyclists should also not miss the climb if they are in the area for views of the high mountains and glaciers. The 27km climb is not difficult but the road does get a little narrow on occasions.

North - Bourg d'Oisans (720m), 27km, D1070m

Nearing the village of La Berarde with the backdrop of the permanently snow-capped peaks of the Ecrins massif.

On the road to La Berarde, where the road is just wide enough for one car.

The final kilometres before the village.

Chamrousse (1730m)

A long climb from the spa resort of Uriage. The view from top takes in the panorama of Grenoble with the Chartreuse and Vercors behind.

See August 2000

North - Uriage (410m), 20km, D1350m

South - Uriage (410m), 19km, D1325m

Click for the Chamrousse Information Page

Col de la Croix de Fer (2067m)

There is the option of adding the Col du Molard (1638m) to the climb when starting from St Jean de Mauriennce. The climb gives spectacular views of the Aiguiles des Arves to the south.

See also the Col du Glandon, as the western ascent uses the same road till the Col du Glandon turns off 2.5 kilometres from the top.

Lots of photos of this climb as it's one of my favourites.

See July 2002---June 2002---July 2001---July 2000

East - St Jean de Maurienne (546m), 30km, D1650m

West - Rochetaillee (711m), 32km, D1450m

Click for the Croix de Fer Information Page

Collet d'Allevard (1650m)

Situated at the northern end of the Belledonne range, a tough climb above the spa town of Allevard to the ski resort of the Collet d'Allevard. A climb with great mountain views of the Alps, Bauges and Chartreuse ranges.

See April 2002

West - Allevard (460m), 16km, D1200m

The view descending after the ski resort.

The view of the Bauges mountains, a kilometre from the top.

The end of the road and as far as you can cycle at 1650 metres.

Les Deux Alpes (1650m)

Only a few kilometres further from Bourg d'Oisans, the climb to Deux Alpes was made famous in 1998 when Jan Ullrich lost over eight minutes to Marco Pantani on the Tour de France stage.

See April 2002

East - Bourg d'Oisans (720m), 24km, D965m

The view of the Lac du Chambon from the foot of the climb. The Col du Lauteret winds its way along the left handside of the lake.

The same view but from earlier in the year.

On the climb to Deux Alpes.

The climb of Deux Alpes.

Nearing the village of Deux Alpes.

The view from the village.