One of the highest passes in the French Alps
Le Galibier pass is located at an altitude of 2645 m, straddling the departments of Hautes-Alpes and Savoie. At the summit, an orientation table (erected by the Écrins National Park in 1988) accompanies you to admire the breathtaking view of the Northern Alps (including Mont Blanc!) and the Southern Alps.
The road that goes up to the pass was only opened in 1976, before that it was a tunnel that linked Savoie and Briançonnais. Unlike its neighbor the Col du Lautaret, the Galibier pass is closed in winter and snow showers are possible even in summer! Snow removal of the passage only takes place in late spring.
Cycling at the Galibier Pass
Le Galibier pass is the pass most used by cyclists in the Tour de France: 59 times since the creation of this competition, much more than its neighbor the Lautaret pass, which has only been the subject of a stage 12 times. Moreover, at the southern entrance of the current tunnel under the pass is the Henri Desgrange monument, in homage to the creator of the Tour de France. The "Henri-Desgrange souvenir" is, for its part, a prize awarded to the first rider to cross the Col du Galibier during the Tour.
Other races also take advantage of the exceptional slopes of the Galibier pass, such as the Critérium du Dauphiné or the Giro d'Italia. Even motor vehicles can struggle on the final climbs, which is why a tunnel is always available a hundred meters below. However, this narrow tunnel is forbidden to cyclists and only allows alternating traffic, punctuated by traffic lights.
2 accesses to the Galibier pass
- by the southern slope, with a gradient of up to 11%, from the Lautaret pass which is 8,6 km away;
- by the northern slope, with a gradient of more than 9%, from Valloire which is 18,2 km away.
You can measure yourself against Galibier pass from Le Bourg d'Oisans, via the Col du Lautaret. This is a very challenging cycle route, with gradients of up to 14% in some places and almost 2 m of elevation gain. It is reserved for experienced and trained cyclists, especially since the effects of altitude can be felt above 000 m. You can also go up de La Grave at the Galibier pass, along a 40 km route with an altitude difference of 1400 m.
Cycling on the Galibier Pass
If you are not in good physical condition to compete with the climbers of the Tour de France, there is no question of depriving yourself of the landscapes around the pass! For example, you can discover the Galibier pass downhill ! This route is less technical, requires less endurance and still allows you to admire the Fauteuil glacier, the Homme glacier, the Doigt de Dieu, the Gaspard peak, etc.
Even better for the less sporty, it is possible to access the Galibier pass by electric bike. Departure takes place at La Grave or to Villar d'Arene. If you leave from La Grave, don't miss the market on Thursday mornings. If you leave from Villar d'Arène, take the opportunity to visit the grain mill and the bread oven! Of course, at the Lautaret pass, stop at the house of the Ecrins national park and Alpine Botanical Garden. Charging stations for electric bikes are available at the restaurants at the pass.
The Galibier Pass and the Route des Grandes Alpes
The Route des Grandes Alpes is a 720 km tourist route that passes through 17 Alpine passes. It is a route designed to be done by car and marked on the side of the roads by brown signs. The Galibier pass is located on this road, as well as other points of interest in Oisans. This is particularly the case of Valloire, which you can discover by motorbikeThis is also the case, of course, for the Col du Lautaret which is a popular passage for many hikes, including in winter.
For example, you can make a fun walk at the Lautaret pass, on snowshoes. Your children can join in this adventure, from 8 years old! By going back down to Villar d'Arène in winter, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the Nordic domain of the country of the Meije, which has 12 km of slopes, an ice rink, a solarium and offers snowshoe hiking, sledding, ski hockey, etc. When there is not enough snow to make the cross-country ski trails in the Nordic area passable, trails are marked out around the Col du Lautaret.