Col du Galibier from Valloire

Cycling the Col du Galibier from Valloire

Since Valloire, the northern slope of the Col du Galibier is the most borrowed by the Tour de France : 17.5 km and 1,238 m of elevation gain at an average gradient of 7.1 %, up to the summit at 2,642 m. The first few kilometres of rolling terrain follow the Valloirette valley up to Plan Lachat, where the road dips and takes on the sweeping final hairpins which become noticeably steeper.

Difficulty

Classified Unclassified, this slope combines a steep gradient (up to ~10 % at the top) and the’altitude (2,642 m). The climb gets tougher from Plan Lachat: save some energy for the final five kilometres, which are the most demanding, where the air thins. Best period: from June to October, when the pass is clear of snow.

Telegraph, Valloire, Galibier

Valloire is the tipping point of the legendary sequence Telegraph-Galibier the riders climbing from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne first cross the Télégraphe, descend to Valloire, and then set off again towards the Galibier. From the summit, the road plunges down to the Col du Lautaret and opens access to the’Oisans.