Col du Galibier from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne

Cycling up the Col du Galibier from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne

That is the northern slope comprehensive and historical since Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, we start with the Col du Télégraphe (1,566 m), a short descent to Valloire, then the whole climb up the Col du Galibier. In total, 34.1 km and 2,088 metres of elevation gain at an average gradient of 5.6% over 3T, up to the summit at 2,642 m. This is the signature climb of the Tour de France on the Maurienne side.

Difficulty

Classified Unclassified, this side features two mountain passes and a considerable elevation gain, with gradients of up to 10 % and an upper section above 2,000 m. The difficulty comes from the’sequence : the Télégraphe takes its toll on your legs, the descent to Valloire cools you down, then the Galibier really takes it out of you in the final kilometres. Pace yourself right from the start.

Telegraph + Galibier, a legendary pairing

The sequence Telegraph-Galibier is one of the most legendary of Tour de France. It is also one of the transit points of The Marmotte as it leaves the Maurienne. Once at the summit, the descent towards Lautaret opens up the route to Oisans, Bourg-d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez.