Welcome to the guide to cycling mountain passes in Oisans. From Bourg-d’Oisans, Allemont, Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves… each climb with its actual profile (IGN altitude), its interactive map, its GPX track, the estimated time according to your level, the difficulty rating and the live weather at the summit.
The mountain passes map
Click on a mountain pass to open its profile.
Cycling mountain passes
Compare the collars at a glance
| Pass | Distance | Elevation gain | Tell me. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Col de la Croix de Fer | 26.6 km | +1,426 m | 4,6 % | Very difficult |
| Alpe d'Huez | 13.7 km | +1,107 m | 8 % | Extreme |
| Col du Glandon | 22.1 km | +1 482 m | 6,6 % | Extreme |
| Col du Galibier | 45.2 km | +2,076 m | 4,2 % | Extreme |
| Col de Sarenne | 12.3 km | +969 m | 7,7 % | Extreme |
| Col du Sabot | 16.9 km | +1,342 m | 7,9 % | Extreme |
| Col du Lautaret | 36.8 km | +1,494 m | 3,6 % | Difficult |
| Col d’Ornon | 13.6 km | +668 m | 4,7 % | Moderate |
| Les Deux Alpes | 9.5 km | +621 m | 6,5 % | Difficult |
| Villard-Notre-Dame | 9.8 km | +819 m | 8,3 % | Very difficult |
| Auris-en-Oisans | 14.9 km | +916 m | 6 % | Difficult |
| Oz-en-Oisans | 5.5 km | +598 m | 10,9 % | Very difficult |
| Villard-Reymond | 15.3 km | +960 m | 6,1 % | Very difficult |
| La Bérarde | 31 km | +1,063 m | 3,2 % | Moderate |
| Oulles | 10.1 km | +698 m | 6,8 % | Difficult |
| Besse-en-Oisans | 6.9 km | +534 m | 7,2 % | Difficult |
| Villard-Reculas | 12.2 km | +824 m | 6 % | Difficult |
| Lake Besson | 18.2 km | +1,368 m | 7,4 % | Extreme |
| Col de Solude | 13.8 km | +1,006 m | 7 % | Very difficult |
Which mountain pass for your level?
- Discovery a short slope like the Col de la Croix de Fer from Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves (6.4 km) to experience the high mountains without spending the whole day there.
- Confirmed : the’Alpe d'Huez with its 21 bends (13.7 km at 8 %), a must-tackle section right from the start.
- Strong La Croix de Fer from Allemont (26.6 km), long and irregular, or its slope Maurienne.
- Expert tackle multiple mountain passes in a single day, just like La Marmotte.
La Marmotte and the great mountain cyclosportives
Oisans is the birthplace of the legendary cyclosportive La Marmotte Granfondo Alpes : starting from Bourg-d’Oisans, it links the Col du Glandon / Croix de Fer, the Col du Télégraphe, the Col du Galibier, then the arrival at the summit of the’Alpe d'Huez — around 174 km and 5,000 m of elevation gain, one of the toughest amateur races in Europe. A simple out-and-return to the Croix de Fer + Glandon, or Alpe d’Huez in the morning and a mountain pass in the afternoon, already make for fine days.
Bourg-d’Oisans, the cycling base camp
At the foot of Alpe d'Huez and at the crossroads of the major mountain passes, Bourg-d'Oisans (Isère, about 50 km from Grenoble) is the ideal starting point. There are numerous road bike hire companies and cycle-friendly accommodation. From the village, Alpe d’Huez, the Croix de Fer, the Glandon and the Galibier are all accessible for a day ride.
When to climb the mountain passes of Oisans?
The best period runs from June to September. High-altitude mountain passes (Croix de Fer, Galibier) are only cleared of snow from late May/June and close with the first snowfall. The climb up to the Alpe d'Huez resort remains passable for longer. Mountain weather changes quickly: always check the conditions at the summit (shown live on each pass page) and take a windproof jacket for the descent.
Your 3D embossed collar 🏔Each mountain pass in a to-scale relief map, on an oak base — customisable with your name and your time.Explore 3D maps →
Frequently asked questions
What are the cycling mountain passes around Bourg-d’Oisans?
The great classics are’Alpe d'Huez, the Col de la Croix de Fer, the Col du Glandon and the Col du Galibier, all accessible as day trips from Bourg-d’Oisans. You can find the details of each one on this website.
What is the most difficult mountain pass in Oisans?
Among our passes, the’Alpe d'Huez has the highest difficulty rating (steep gradient at 8 %), whilst the Croix de Fer is longer but more uneven. Each page shows the FIETS rating to allow for an objective comparison.
Can you do Alpe d'Huez and the Croix de Fer back-to-back on the same day?
Yes, trained cyclists do this regularly starting from Bourg-d'Oisans. In fact, that is the spirit of La Marmotte, which tackles several mountain passes in the same day.
When is the best time to climb?
Of June to September, once the mountain passes have been cleared of snow. Check the weather at the summit (live on each pass page) before setting off.
Where can I hire a road bike in Bourg-d’Oisans?
Bourg-d'Oisans has several road and electric bike hire shops, as well as accommodation specially tailored for cyclists.