Col du Galibier from the Col du Lautaret

Cycling the Col du Galibier from the Col du Lautaret

Since Col du Lautaret (2,058 m), all that remains is the final ramp you Col du Galibier : 8.4 km and 580 m of elevation gain at an average gradient of 6.9 %, all the way to the summit at 2,642 m. This is the shortest route to the top of the giant of the Alps — ideal if you’re already coming via the Romanche (Oisans) or the Guisane (Briançon) and want to add the Galibier to your day’s ride.

Difficulty

Short but challenging: the road climbs steeply as soon as you leave Lautaret and remains at around 7–8 %, with sections at 11 % in the final hairpins. Above all, it all comes down to this above 2,000 m the altitude weakens your legs and breath. Bring a cardi, it's often chilly at the top even in the middle of summer.

An iconic section

This final ramp is the shared passageway for all the slopes of the Galibier whether you come from Valloire, Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, Bourg-d'Oisans or Briançon, everyone meets here for the final eight kilometres, under the watchful gaze of the Henri Desgrange monument.