One of the most impressive climbs in all of the French Alps. High peaks, glaciers and over two kilometres of vertical climbing from the northern side.

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

North - St Michel de Maurienne (712m), 35km, D2100m

South - Col du Lauteret (2058m), 8.5km, D585m

Click for the Col du Galibier Information Page

Tough from the north and undulating from the south. From the top of the climb, the Col de la Madeleine can be seen to the north and you can only imagine what the Tour de France riders must think when they know they have to descend to the valley and climb to 2000 metres again.

See also the Col de la Croix de Fer, as the southern ascent uses the same road till the last 300 metres.

See July 2001

North - La Chambre (448m), 22km, D1475m

South -Rochetaillee (711m), 30km, D1350m

Click for the Col du Glandon Information Page

North - Aiguebelle (320m), 17km, D950m

South - Presle (550m), 15km, D633m

A climb that is never too steep but the length can more than make up for this. The views of the glaciers on the Ecrins Massif are among the most spectacular in the Alps.

West - Bourg d'Oisans (719m), 40km, D1339m

South - Briancon (1315m), 29km, D750m

Click for the Col du Lautaret Information Page

A steep climb situated only a few kilometres from Grenoble. With the unpredictable road surface and steep gradient, the summer heat can make this a hard climb. There is the option to turn onto the climb of Chamrousse at the top to carry on climbing to 1750m.

See July 2000

South - Near Vizille (360m), 10.5km, D900m

The Col d'Ornon is often used in the Tour de France to warm the cyclists legs up before the climb to Alpe d'Huez.

See October 2000

North - Bourg d'Oisans (720m), 14km, D650m

South - Pont du Pretre (700m), 22km, D740m

The climb to Le Pleynet takes you from Allevard into the Belledonne range where the road ends at the ski resort. The climb has spectacular mountain views and the road is quiet.

See April 2002

North - Allevard (460m), 23km, D1000m

The Col du Telegraphe is the warm up before the Col du Galibier. A lovely wooded climb that is never too steep, with impressive views over the town of St Michel de Maurienne in the valley below.

Just remember when you start in the town that you have to climb to the same height as the Telegraphe on the mountain top above you.

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

North - St Michel de Maurienne (712m), 12km, D850m

South - Valloire (1400m), 5km, D150m