In a Top-20 of highest climbs in Europe, only one can be the most legendary. It's not hard to find a winner: the Col du Galibier. The climb was included in the Tour no less than 60 times and even the Giro passed by once. If the Galibier is not on your palmares yet, you know what do to.

View to the south side, direction Col du Lautaret 

Col du Galibier

Country:	France
Height:	2642 meters

Location

The Col du Galibier connect the departments of Savoie and Hautes-Alpes. You can climb it from three sides, always from another col. 

Les Trois Vallées is the largest ski area in the world. It's the Savoie's largest tourist attraction. The area is developing as a cycling area as wel. In 2019, a new col has opened, the Col de la Loze. It's only accessible for cyclists. Next to the Galibier, the Savoie hosts many famous cols such as the Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col de la Madeleine, Col de l'Iseran and the Cormet de Roselend.

In the Hautes-Alpes, one can find the Parc national des Écrins. After the Mont Blanc mountain range, this is the highest mountain range in France. Likewise, this department has many famous climbs like the Col d'Izoard, Col Agnel, Col du Lautaret and the Col de Vars.

The north side

The most famous and by far the most beautiful side starts from Saint-Michel de Maurienne over the Col du Télégraphe. The Télégraphe is a nice and gradual 12 km climb. It's tempting to go all out here, which would be quite stupid. The descent is way too short to recover. In Valloire the actual Galibier climb starts. The area is rough and the view is marvellous. The last 8 km from Plan Lachat are hard. The altitude and distance will make you feel your legs. Gradient barely drop under 10%. Marmotte contenders suffer to the max here. 

The south east side

This col can be reached from Briançon, over the Col du Lautaret. It's far less interesting than the north side. The Col du Lauratet is never steep. Long, straight sections make it mentally tough. In fact, only the last 9 kilometres from the Lauraret are really beautiful. This part is steeper, too. Just under the summit you'll run into a monument for Henri Desgrange, founder of the Tour de France.

The south west side

The south west side (from Le Clapier) also follows the Col du Lautaret. From Bourg d'Oisans and Alpe d'Huez this route is easy to find. You're in for a 43 km (!) long climb. In La Marmotte, this is the final descent before the last climb, Alpe d'Huez. The climb can be crowed with cars and you will have to cross multiple tunnels. In some places, the views are stunning. From La Grava, La Meije beautifully stands out above all other mountain tops. Like the other side, the nicest part starts after the Lautaret. The Galibier is a real must do, if you're able to pick a side it should be the north side.

Cycling history

A more famous climb than the Galibier barely exists. The Tour dropped by 60 times! Even the Giro planned a finish (2013). And obviously everyone knows it's the killer climb in La Marmotte.

Many legends and stories has originated here. Supposedly, Bahamontes would have stopped to eat an ice cream after finishing the climb first. The true story is quite different, but let's forget that. Joop Zoetemelk secured his Tour victory after a dizzying descent. In 1996, the passage of the Galibier was canceled due to heavy snow. And hellish scenes in 1998 when Pantani struck in beast weather and left Jan Ullrich shivering. It yielded breathtaking television:

Gran fondos

• Marmotte Granfondo Alpes
• Galibier Challenge
• Le Defi du Galibier

Passing by of La Marmotte 2012

Profiles

Col du Galibier north

Col du Galibier south-east

Col du Galibier south-west

Routes and loops

You can climb the Galibier from three sides, but what's nicer than to ride the the legendary Marmotton (the small Marmotte). This route follows the Glandon or Croix de Fer, followed by the Télépgraphe/Galibier combination. We prefer the Croix de Fer option, because it saves a few boring sections through the Maurienne valley. Le Bourg d'Oisans is the most well-known place to start, but every other spot will work equally well. Riding the loop the other way around is also a good option. Maarten Alfrink from La Douce Montagne rode here between the snowwalls, read his story.

Click in the images to download the routes.

The highest climbs in Europe, the list

Pictures

North side, last kilometre before the hardest part

North side, Plan Lachat

North side, the last 8 steep kilometres

North side, view to the last kilometres

North side, 2 kilometres before the col

North side, view from the col

Snow walls, end of May

South side, view to the monument of Henri Desgranges (Michiel van Lonkhuizen - CyclingCols)

South side, tunnel entry and last kilometre (Michiel van Lonkhuizen - CyclingCols)

The last hairpins from the south (Michiel van Lonkhuizen - CyclingCols)

The col