The French Alps offer a cycling experience unlike any other, where the raw beauty of the landscape meets the sheer challenge of world-renowned climbs. Every ascent is a journey through breathtaking scenery and a test of physical endurance, inviting you to push your limits against the backdrop of nature's grandeur. From the legendary hairpins of Alpe d’Huez to the soaring heights of Mont Ventoux, many of the climbs in the French Alps have been etched into cycling history, made famous by iconic Tour de France stages and epic battles. So, if you love big mountain passes and views that go as far as the eye can see, then a trip to the French Alps in France is the perfect cycling holiday destination.
But with the French Alps covering approximately 40,000 square kilometres with over 100 climbs to choose from and spanning the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions of France, there are plenty of famed passes to climb. To help narrow down the ones not to be missed, Rouleur delves into the most celebrated climbs in the French Alps.
Alpe d’Huez
Distance: 13.9km
Average gradient: 8.1%
Maximum gradient: 13%
Total ascent: 1,118m
Image by Michael Blann
Cycling Alpe d'Huez is a pilgrimage for cyclists seeking both a physical challenge and a piece of cycling history in the French Alps. Starting from the town of Bourg d'Oisans, the ascent spans 13.9 kilometres with an average gradient of 8.1%, featuring 21 iconic hairpin bends that have become legendary in the world of cycling, in particular, the Tour de France. The climb begins gently along the valley floor and as you leave Bourg d'Oisans behind, the road quickly ramps up, with the first few kilometres featuring gradients that exceed 10%. Each hairpin bend is numbered, serving you both markers of progress and reminders of the daunting challenge ahead.
As you ascend further, the landscape transforms, with dense forests giving way to open, rocky terrain that offers sweeping views of the valley below and the surrounding peaks. The notorious bend known as 'Dutch Corner' comes into view, where passionate fans gather to cheer cyclists on during the Tour de France, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The final kilometres to the summit of Alpe d'Huez are the most gruelling, with steep gradients reaching up to 13%. But upon reaching the summit, marked by a monument honouring the past winners of the Tour de France stages, a breathtaking panoramic view of the Oisans Valley and the Ecrins National Park awaits.
Col du Galibier
Distance: 34.8km (from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and including Col du Télégraph)
Average gradient: 5.6%
Maximum gradient: 13.1%
Total ascent: 2,069m
Image by Michael Blann
Climbing the Col du Galibier is a must-do for any cyclist visiting the Alps. Standing at 2,642 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest paved passes in Europe and presents a formidable challenge with a length of 34.8km and an average gradient of 5.6%. The climb is essentially built of two ascents, beginning with the 12km Col du Télégraph before the road drops down into the Valloire and then rises again towards the Galibier summit.
The climbs combined will test even the fittest cyclists, but the stunning alpine scenery provides a welcome distraction. As you climb higher, you are treated to dramatic landscapes dominated by jagged peaks and sweeping lush valleys, or even walls of snow depending on the time of year you visit. Near the summit, the road narrows and the air thins, intensifying the effort. However, the breathtaking views from the peak, marked by a road sign on a hairpin bend, makes every leg-burning pedal stroke worth it. Plus, the descent offers an exhilarating reward for the hard effort of the long and enduring climb up.
The Col du Galibier gained fame when it was first featured in the 1911 Tour de France and has since become a legendary climb in the race. Today, it is a popular destination for amateur cyclists and tourists. Its challenging gradients and scenic views make it a bucket-list climb for cycling enthusiasts from around the world.
Col de la Madeleine
Distance: 19.6km (from La Chambre)
Average gradient: 7.7%
Maximum gradient: 13.4%
Total ascent: 1,520m
Image by Sébastien Pauset
The Col de la Madeleine is located in the Savoie department of France, connecting the valleys of Maurienne and Tarentaise. From La Chambre, the south side of the mountain, the climb is 19.6km in length, but if you fancy challenging yourself even more, from the north, the climb to the Col de la Madeleine’s summit is 26.4km. However, from Feissons-sur-Isère in the north, the average gradient is less at 6.2%, whereas, from the south, it is 7.8% – so it is a choice between distance or steepness. Either way, the views you get as you ascend through forests and meadows are simply outstanding and upon seeing the summit sign, 1,993 metres above sea level, an overwhelming sense of satisfaction having completed one of the Tour de France’s toughest climbs will flood through you. On a clear day, at the summit you will even be able to spot the snow-capped Mont Blanc – the highest mountain in the Alps.
Mont Ventoux
Distance: 20.8km (from Bédoin)
Average gradient: 7.7%
Maximum gradient: 13.3%
Total ascent: 1,594m
Image by Daniel Hughes
Cycling Mont Ventoux, or otherwise known as the Giant of Provence, is a legendary challenge that beckons cyclists from around the world with its blend of demanding gradients and unique scenery. Starting in the charming town of Bédoin, the route ascends nearly 21 kilometres with an average gradient of 7.7%, though some sections ramp up to 13.3%. As you climb, the landscape transitions from lush vineyards and orchards to dense oak and pine forests. At the halfway point, the route passes through the hamlet of Chalet Reynard, a popular rest stop where you can refuel with a quick coffee or snack. From there, the landscape changes dramatically. The trees thin out, giving way to the iconic, barren limestone moonscape that makes Mont Ventoux so distinctive. You can catch glimpses of wild lavender and thyme growing among the rocks, adding splashes of colour to the otherwise stark terrain.
As you approach the summit, the climb becomes more exposed, and the famous weather station looms into view. The final push is rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama, encompassing the Rhône Valley, the Alps, and on clear days, the Mediterranean Sea. A memorial to British cyclist Tom Simpson, who tragically died here in 1967, stands as a poignant reminder of the mountain's formidable challenge.
Col d’Izoard
Distance: 14.1km (from Château-Ville-Vieille)
Average gradient: 7,1%
Maximum gradient: 12.3%
Total ascent: 1,000m
Image by Michael Blann
Climbing Col d’Izoard from Château-Ville-Vieille is an extraordinary journey that combines historical charm with alpine majesty. Starting in the commune in the Hautes-Alpes department, the road continues through the town of Les Moulins, then Arvieux, La Chalp, and Brunissard.
As you ascend higher, the landscape changes, with the forests evolving to the rugged, high-altitude terrain that the Col d’Izoard is famous for. You will encounter the iconic Casse Déserte, a surreal, barren landscape dotted with jagged rock formations and sparse vegetation. This area is marked by a monument to cycling legends Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet, serving as a reminder of the climb's prestigious place in Tour de France history. Then, at the top, you are rewarded with views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, where riders will also find a stone refuge alongside a small museum dedicated to the history of the Col d’Izoard.
Col de la Croix de Fer
Distance: 28.1km (from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne)
Average gradient: 5.5%
Maximum gradient: 12.2%
Total ascent: 1,537m
Image by Dario Belingheri
The Col de la Croix de Fer is a pass which demands both stamina and determination. Starting from the charming town of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the climb journeys up to the summit with a series of gentle slopes and winding roads. The ski village of Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves – the highest village on the climb – provides a picturesque place to rest and refuel, with its red-hued chalets and local cafés. Beyond this point, the road steepens and the ascent becomes more challenging, with gradients reaching up to 12%.
Near the summit, you will pass a distinctive iron cross that gives this pass its name. Then, the final stretch to the top is a test of endurance after already climbing so far, but the views from the summit are nothing short of spectacular. Snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and distant mountain ranges unfold before your eyes, reminding you of nature’s grandeur and how cycling allows you to experience such incredible landscapes.
Col de la Colombière
Distance: 11.8km (from Le Grand Bornand)
Average gradient: 5.9%
Maximum gradient: 10.4%
Total ascent: 694m
Image by Daniel Hughes
Located in the Haute-Savoie region, the Col de la Colombière is a popular climb in the Alps having been made famous by the Tour de France when it first featured in 1960. The route from Le Grand-Bornand, a quaint village littered with traditional chalets and, in the summer months, blooms of colourful flower displays, stretches 11.8km. The climb starts gently with the road winding through the green landscape, dotted with grazing cattle whose bells add a melodic soundtrack. Halfway up, you will come across Chinaillon, a ski village where you will be able to take a moment to rest and refuel before continuing up to the summit.
After the village, the landscape becomes more rugged and the final kilometre really tests the legs with eye-watering gradients of almost 16% and several switchbacks. A small stone monument marks the summit, overlooking views of the Aravis mountains.
Col de Joux Plane
Distance: 11.5km (from Samoëns)
Average gradient: 8.7%
Maximum gradient: 15.5%
Total ascent: 997m
Image by Getty Images
Cycling the Col de Joux Plane from Samoëns, host to the 2023 L’Etape du Tour, begins in the scenic Giffre Valley, which is framed by the peaks of the mountains that you will soon be ascending. As you leave the postcard-worthy valley behind, the climb becomes more pronounced and the switchbacks wind their way up the mountainside. The scenery evolves as you climb higher, going from dense forest to expansive meadows with wildflowers scattered across the landscape in the summer months.
The last kilometres to the summit are the most demanding, with gradients reaching up to 11% in places. The road narrows as it ascends through rocky terrain, framed by rugged cliffs and offering stunning vistas at every turn. Reaching the summit of the Col de Joux Plane is a moment of triumph, marked by a signpost and a breathtaking viewpoint that overlooks the vast expanse of the Alps.
*Cover image by Getty Images
