Cycling up the Iseran pass

The Col de l'Iseran bike climb is for all cycling and mountain sports enthusiasts looking for a challenge in a majestic setting. It's a climb that requires a certain amount of experience and a very high level of fitness, as it takes place at high altitude and can be quite demanding. Cyclists can tackle the pass on their own or in a group, and for the more ambitious, the climb can form part of a longer itinerary such as the Route des Grandes Alpes. Lovers of nature and magnificent scenery will also be delighted by the beauty of the region, with breathtaking views of the Val d'Isère and Vanoise glaciers.

You can choose to go up the south side or the north side.

Purists will do both.

From the north side

To tackle the ascent of the Col de l'Iseran from the north side by bike, it is advisable to divide it into three separate stages. Firstly, the first part up to the Lac du Chevril dam will be difficult and demanding. The second part can be stressful, with more or less well-lit avalanche tunnels all the way to Val-d'Isère. The final stage from Val-d'Isère to the summit is a grandiose finale that will see you take on the high mountains once again. It's important to note that the summit is often cool and windy.

If you choose to go up the whole of the Tarentaise valley, the north side can be very long, with almost 47km to cover from Bourg-Saint-Maurice. However, the road is quite busy with cars, buses and lorries, which can make the climb more difficult and less enjoyable. For this reason, many cyclists opt for the ascent from Val d'Isère, where the road is less congested and the climb more peaceful.

The climb from Val d'Isère is only 17km long, but it is the steepest on this pass.

From the south side

The ascent of the Col de l'Iseran from the south side is a real ordeal, with a 32km climb from Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis and a positive difference in altitude of more than 1,446 metres to reach the summit at an altitude of more than 2,564 metres. From Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis, the climb starts gently with 3 km of gravel at between 2 and 3%, but the gradient becomes very steep with 1,350 metres at 9/10%. You'll pass the Col de Madeleine, then descend to the Plateau de Bessans to reach Bonneval-sur-Arc, the starting point for the final part of the climb. The figures are impressive: 12.8 km to climb with 956 m of D+ at an average of 7.5%. There won't be many flat spots, so take the time to recover at the 2 flattest points. The final stretch is hard on the legs, with a long straight section of 1.950 km at an average gradient of almost 9%, then a final hairpin bend and 750 m at 7.5% to reach the Col de l'Iseran.

Accommodation providers who qualify as "accueil cyclo" are committed to offering specific services to cyclists (locked rooms, laundry facilities, adapted meals, small equipment, etc.). A "accueil cyclo" accommodation charter has been introduced in the Haute-Tarentaise.

After a day on the roads or trails, head for hotels, chalets or flats that have a secure bike room. You'll be able to relax in the knowledge that your equipment is safe.