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Cycling up Col du Glandon
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Description
The Col du Glandon is undoubtedly one of the toughest passes in the Alps, and certainly one of the most beautiful: its average gradient of 7.2% and the Colomban-des-Villards plateau conceal the dreadful 3km finale at over 10% on the final ramps of the pass...
This very difficult 21km climb takes place between the Belledonne mountain range to the west and the peaks of the Sybelles ski area to the east. The climb is divided into several stages, with a steady first section followed by the St Colomban flat. The slope picks up again as you leave the village, and remains steep until you reach the terrible hairpins at the end, with a 3 km climb at an average gradient of 10%. It's at the pass that the view finally opens up for a short descent to the Olle valley, which flows towards the Grand Maison dam and the Oisans, or to the east, the ascent to the Col de la Croix de Fer, topped by the Etendard peak (3464 m) and its eternal snows.
This pass has been crossed 20 times by the Tour de France.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Date and time
- From 15/05/2026 to 31/10/2026
Additional information
Updated by
Agence alpine des territoires - 08/12/2025
www.agate-territoires.fr
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Topo guides and map references
Map references :
Vélo de Route" map of "La Maurienne, the world's largest cycling area" published by Maurienne Tourisme and available from all Maurienne Tourist Offices (subject to availability).
Open period
From 15/05 to 31/10 daily.
Depending on the weather.
Contact
Phone : 04 79 56 33 58
Email : office@tourisme-la-chambre.com
Website : http://www.maurienne-tourisme.com/velo
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
The climb starts in St Etienne de Cuines and follows the D927 to the summit. If the route to the Col de la Croix de Fer is the obvious choice, with only 3 additional kilometers to cover, there are many other possible itineraries on the Maurienne side or towards Oisans.
Animals
Yes
Data author
