From Villard-Saint-Pancrace to Col du Galibier

Culminating at an altitude of 2642m, the Col du Galibier connects St Michel de Maurienne and Briançon via the Col du Télégraphe (north) and the col du Lautaret (south). Halfway through, Valloire is an unmissable stop-off!It seems that it has been used for years since prehistory, then by the army and travellers. The Galibier road was built from 1879 and was completed by the opening of the tunnel in 1891. Prior to 1976, the tunnel was the only crossing point at an altitude of 2556m. Because of its poor condition, the tunnel was closed in 1976 and reopened in the summer of 2002. The first Tour de France passed through the Galibier on 10 July 1911. From this date the pass has become one of the most iconic stages, highlighted by the biggest names. From the top, a beautiful view awaits the visitor ; within a short walking distance, from a viewpoint, you can admire and identify the surrounding peaks: Meije, Grand Galibier and even Mont Blanc! During summer, numerous cyclists test themselves on the gradient. The first snowfall arrives at the end of autumn, and the area becomes quiet again with the road being closed from late October to late May. The Galibier pass climb from Valloire: Departure: 1430m - Arrival: 2642m Length: 17 km - Elevation: 1212 m Average %: 7.2% - maximum %: 12%

The Lautaret pass is the crossing point between the Romanche Valley and the Guisane Valley. It is also one of the lowest points on the ridge line separating the Northern Alps and the Southern Alps.The relatively gentle slopes leading up to this mountain pass were shaped by a glacier running into the two valleys on either side. Because of its accessibility,, the Lautaret Pass has long been an important transport route between Grenoble and Briançon, as well as a route over the Alps to Italy. The road over the Galibier Pass starts out at the Lautaret Pass. The source of Guisane River is just above the pass. The Nature Reserve of Combeynot, with an area of ​​685 hectares, covers the entire NW face of the Combeynot peaks, visible from the Lautaret Pass.