Col de l'Iseran
At 2,764 metres, one of the highest paved mountain passes in the Alps, a famous climb on the Tour de France, with glaciers and snowy peaks surrounding the summit.
The Col de l'Iseran sits on the D902 road about 16 km south of Val d'Isère, at an altitude of 2,764 metres. It connects the Tarentaise valley with the Maurienne valley at Bonneval-sur-Arc, and its summit is the highest point of the Route des Grandes Alpes. It is also a 'super climb' the Tour de France has crossed many times. The climb from the Val d'Isère side covers about 16 km and gains about 950 metres. Along the way you can see the Le Fornet valley, the Pissaillas glacier and the Vanoise peaks. At the summit are a chapel dating from 1939, a monument and a café. In summer, the road is closed to all but cyclists during certain morning slots each week (the Iseran Cyclo event). Note: opening dates depend on snow conditions. The summit may stay below 5°C even in midsummer, so bring warm clothing, and take care with speed on the descents.
Opening hours
Approx. late June–early Oct (depends on snow)
Nearby sights
- Le Fornet
- Solaise & Lac de l'Ouillette
- Bonneval-sur-Arc
- Gorges du Malpasset & Prariond
- Espace Killy (Val d'Isère–Tignes)
- Val d'Isère Village & Saint-Bernard Church
- L'Écot
- Lac de la Sassière