With its Tour de France giants, legendary resorts and secret balcony roads, Oisans boasts some of the finest mountain passes in the Alps — and therefore the world. It's impossible to choose the best among them, but here is our selection of climbs to do at least once in a cyclist's lifetime, between legend, raw beauty and thrills.
1. The Col du Galibier (2,642 m), the giant of the Alps
It's the pinnacle of pinnacles. One of the highest paved mountain passes in Europe, steeped in history since 1911 and watched over by the monument to Henri Desgrange. From Oisans, the long climb up the Romanche valley to the Lautaret, followed by the exposed final stretch, offers a grandiose mineral landscape. Crossing the Galibier, that is tampering with a legend.
2. L’Alpe d’Huez and its 21 hairpin bends
The most famous climb in world cycling. Every hairpin bend is named after a stage winner, the atmosphere there is electric in July, and Tadej Pogačar's record (35’27’ in 2026) is a reminder that the’Alpe d'Huez remains the ultimate test. A rite of passage, to be climbed at least once to understand the passion that surrounds it.
3. The Col de la Croix de Fer (2,067 m), the postcard view
Undoubtedly one of the most visually stunning mountain passes in the Alps: turquoise lakes, alpine pastures, dams and the famous forged iron cross at the summit. Neighbour to the Glandon and pillar of The Marmotte, the Col de la Croix de Fer is enjoyed as much for the effort as for the scenery.
4. The Col de Sarenne (1,999 m), the wild one
A stone's throw from L'Alpe d'Huez, but in a completely different world. A winding road, silence, marmots and a panoramic view of the Meije: the Col de Sarenne is the haven of those fleeing the crowds. Featured in the Tour in 2013, it embodies intimate and authentic Oisans.
5. Col du Sabot (2,100 m), the high-altitude secret
One of the highest paved mountain passes in Isère, and yet never climbed by the Tour de France. Long, steep and of a rare solitude above Vaujany, the Col du Sabot rewards curious climbers with alpine pasture landscapes and a view of the Grand-Maison dam. An unsung gem.
Special mentions
Hard to stop at five. The Lake Besson, which extends from Alpe d’Huez to a plateau of lakes at over 2,000 m, the spectacular tunnel-lined road from Villard-Notre-Dame, the long breakaway towards La Bérarde in the heart of the Écrins or the peaceful Col du Lautaret all deserve a place in this ranking.
How to climb them
Each of these mountain passes requires preparation suited to its difficulty. Before you set off, consult our guide which mountain pass to climb according to your level and check the correct period in when to climb the Oisans mountain passes. Each file details the profile, the map, the GPX track and the weather at the summit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most scenic mountain pass in the Oisans?
That's subjective, but the Cross of Iron and the Col de Sarenne are often cited for their landscapes, and the Galibier for its mythical dimension.
What is the highest mountain pass in the Oisans?
The Col du Galibier reaches a peak of 2,642 m; the Col du Sabot (2,100 m) is one of the highest road mountain passes in Isère.
Can these mountain passes be climbed in a week?
Yes, by setting up its base camp in Bourg-d'Oisans, we can chain these giants at a rate of one per day.
Discover all the mountain passes in the region, classified by sector, on the Oisans mountain passes page.