Cycling routes

Cycling from Lautaret to Izoard

Izoard, Lautaret, Galibier – three names that take pride of place in the collective imagination of Tour de France amateurs. These series of switchbacks under the summits are absolute musts on the bucket list of any cyclist aspiring to yellow. At the Lautaret, green stands out against the glaciers, at the Galibier the view stretches further that far, towards the Savoie, the Queyras and the Ecrins, and at the Izoard you will pass from the luminous larch forest to a lunar desert.

Route suggestions:

 

Col des Portes - hamlets of La Grave

A small, winding road with tight hairpin bends leads to the hamlets above La Grave. Up there, La Meije, the Râteau and the glaciers seem to be right in front of our wheels.

  • 9 km, + 380 m
  • Gradient: 7,5 %,
  • Start from: La Grave or Villar d’Arène

 

Col du Lautaret 2057 m

This relatively smooth and mellow climb has fantastic views: from the Agneaux Peaks to the Great Peak of La Meije, the giants of the Ecrins National Park and their glaciers follow us all along. And once we're at the pass, how about a cool drink while taking it all in?

  • 21,5 km, + 585 m
  • Gradient: from 3,5 to 7 %.
  • Start from: La Grave or Villar d’Arène

 

Col du Galibier 2642 m

This is a must for all serious cyclists. First, the road climbs to the Lautaret Pass with La Meije for company. Then a few regular switchback lead to the ridges that separate us from the Savoy region. The terrace of the Refuge du Galibier offers a welcome break before or after the last three turns with a 10% gradient.

  • 9 km, + 1170 m
  • Gradient: 6,9 % between the Lautaret and the Galibier.
  • Start from: La Grave or Villar d’Arène

 

The Marmot Route

The big loop of the Marmot cycling race takes you from Oisans to Maurienne, over the Col du Glandon, Col du Galibier and Col du Lautaret, and back to the sunny Southern Alps.

  • 177 km, + 5016 m
  • Start from: La Grave or Villar d’Arène

Cycling routes around the Col du Galibier and Col du Lautaret

9 fiches

Col Izoard - Cyclisme - © Alpes photographies

Du col du Lautaret au col de l'Izoard

Parking du col, Col du Lautaret

Du col du Lautaret au col de l'Izoard

The Col de l'Izoard is one of the Tour de France's most legendary passes. Climb it from another famous pass in the Alps: the Col du Lautaret!

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De Villar d'Arène à Alpe d'Huez - © J. Selberg

De Villar d'Arène à l'Alpe d'Huez

Parking sous l'église, Le Village

De Villar d'Arène à l'Alpe d'Huez

Follow in the footsteps of the Tour de France! This tour takes you up the legendary Alpe d'Huez climb, with its 21 switchbacks and 13.8 km of 7.9% climbing.

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La Grave La Meije - © J. Selberg

De La Grave au col de Sarenne par l'Alpe d'Huez

Parking du Téléphérique de La Grave, Le Village

De La Grave au col de Sarenne par l'Alpe d'Huez

This loop offers a real change of scenery, with the balconies of Auris-en-Oisans, a veritable belvedere overlooking the Romanche, then the mythical laces of Alpe d'Huez, before finishing…

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Cyclotourisme - Col de l'Echelle - © Vincent Trenson

De La Grave au col de l'Echelle

Parking du Téléphérique, Le Village

De La Grave au col de l'Echelle

This itinerary takes you through the beautiful Clarée valley before climbing the Col de l'Echelle. At the summit, push on to the end of the plateau to enjoy the view of Italy.

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De La Grave au Lac du Verney par les balcons de l'Oisans en vélo de route

Discover the balconies of the Oisans via the Lac du Verney by road bike. An emotional day combining sporting feats and high mountain scenery.

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Du col du Lautaret à la haute vallée de la Clarée

Starting from the Col du Lautaret, this route takes you through an exceptional natural setting: the upper Clarée valley.

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De La Grave au col du Galibier - Hautes Vallées - © S.Selberg

De La Grave au Col du Galibier

Parking du téléphérique, Le village

De La Grave au Col du Galibier

Conquer one of the Tour de France's most legendary passes: the Col du Galibier!

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De Villar d'Arène eux Deux Alpes - © J. Selberg

De Villar d'Arène aux Deux Alpes

Place de l'Eglise, Centre Village

De Villar d'Arène aux Deux Alpes

After a beautiful descent of the Romanche valley from Villar d'Arène to Lac du Chambon, set off to climb up to the resort of Les Deux Alpes.

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Via Chambon greenway

Cyclists will thrive in this secure space, far from the exhausts, along an emerald lake in the heart of Oisans.
The greenway called Via Chambon is open to walkers, cyclists,…

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Cycling routes to the Col d'Izoard

2 fiches

Ascension du col de l'Izoard

Set off from Cervières to tackle one of the Tour de France's legendary passes!

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Cyclisme Col de l'Izoard - © Alpes Photographies

La boucle de l'Izoard

Parking du Centre Montagne, Villar-Saint-Pancrace

La boucle de l'Izoard

This beautiful loop takes you in the footsteps of the Tour de France. You'll ride along small mountain roads to reach the highest point: the Col de l'Izoard.

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Mountain passes reserved for cyclists

The Alpine mountain passes open for the summer between late April and mid-June, depending on the altitude and the spring weather. Then it's time to get your bikes out. On certain dates during the cycling season, you can climb the most famous mountain passes without being disturbed by passing cars, during a morning the roads are closed to motorised traffic.

 


CYCLING EVENTS AND RACES IN THE HAUTES VALLÉES AND NEARBY

7 fiches

Marmotte Granfondo Alpes

Every cyclist has one day heard the name of this legendary cyclosportive resound. An unmissable international cycling event...

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Oisans Col Series

Oisans Col Series

, Le Bourg-d'Oisans

Oisans Col Series

Specific roads are reserved for cyclists (roads closed to motor vehicles) every Tuesday morning. It's a dream opportunity for cyclists of all abilities to enjoy the lovely Oisans roads…

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Passes reserved for cyclists 2024- Col du Granon

The climbs of the legendary passes and stations are reserved for all cyclists in the morning.

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Cols Réservés - Col de l'Izoard

Depuis Le Laus, la route du col de l'Izoard sera fermée à la circulation le temps de la matinée et réservée aux vélos.
Afin de reprendre des forces à l'arrivée, une petite collation avec…

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Passes reserved for cyclists 2024 - Col du Galibier

The climbs of the legendary passes and stations are reserved for all cyclists in the morning.

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Cols Réservés - Col de l'Échelle

Le temps d'une matinée, la route du Col de l'Échelle sera fermée à la circulation automobile de 9h à 12h sur ses deux versants pour permettre aux passionnés de vélo de profiter pleinement…

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Reserved passes - The Great Passes Tour

A whole week of passes reserved, not the least, and only for you! This summer, take on the most beautiful passes of the Hautes-Alpes by bike, in complete freedom and safety! And even…

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