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The 20 highest road bike passes in France

Photo: Aurélien Antoine, Adobe Stock

France is a country known for its scenic diversity and mountains. The hilly landscape offers cyclists and cycling enthusiasts many opportunities to tackle challenging routes and enjoy breathtaking landscapes. Among the many offers, the road cycling passes in France are particularly impressive. Here I present the 20 highest road bike passes in France, including some passes that are part of the famous Tour de France, such as the Col de l'Iséran, Col d'Allos, Col du Galibier and others. But many other passes that are not part of the Tour de France are also presented here. Whether amateur or professional cyclists, these passes are a must for anyone who is looking for a challenge and the beauty

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updated on: November 20, 2023
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Road Cycling · France
Col de l'Iséran 2770 m - from Seez
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 44.6 km
Duration 4:25 h
Ascent 1,962 m
Descent 88 m

A road bike tour to the Col de l'Iséran pass is a dream for every road cyclist. With an altitude of 2770 metres, the Col de l'Iséran is the highest ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col Agnel 2744 m - from Ville-Vieille
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 20.6 km
Duration 2:20 h
Ascent 1,371 m
Descent 2 m

A road bike tour up the Col Agnel from Ville-Vieille is a real experience for every road cyclist. The Col Agnel is the third highest Alpine pass ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col de la Bonette 2715 m - from Isola
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 39.1 km
Duration 4:20 h
Ascent 1,855 m
Descent 2 m

A road bike tour up the Col de la Bonette in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region from Isola is a challenging adventure for any road cyclist.

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col du Galibier 2642 m - from Valloire
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 17.6 km
Duration 2:05 h
Ascent 1,218 m
Descent 0 m

If you are looking for a challenging road bike tour in the French Alps, you should consider the Col du Galibier.

1
from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col de la Moutière 2454 m - from St. Etienne
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 18.5 km
Duration 2:55 h
Ascent 1,316 m
Descent 3 m

The French Maritime Alps are a true paradise for racing cyclists and offer some of the most challenging routes in Europe. One of these challenging ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col de Granon 2404 m - from Saint-Chaffrey
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 11.3 km
Duration 1:55 h
Ascent 1,038 m
Descent 0 m

If you are planning a road bike tour and are looking for a challenging route, then you should definitely consider a ride to the Col de Granon pass ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Port d'Envalira 2408 m - from Ax-les-Thermes
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 35.2 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 1,693 m
Descent 6 m

A road bike tour to the Port d'Envalira pass is one of the most challenging road bike routes in the Pyrenees. At an altitude of 2408 metres, it is ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Plan du Lac 2369 m - from Termignon
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 14.3 km
Duration 2:15 h
Ascent 1,036 m
Descent 3 m

If you are looking for a challenging road bike tour through the French Alps, you should definitely climb the Plan du Lac pass.

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col d'Izoard 2360 m - from Briançon
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 19.2 km
Duration 2:20 h
Ascent 1,151 m
Descent 0 m

The Col d'Izoard is a legendary pass in the French Alps and a must for every passionate road cyclist.

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col de la Lombarde 2350 m - from Isola
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 20.5 km
Duration 3:05 h
Ascent 1,489 m
Descent 0 m

A racing cycle route that is very popular with cyclists and is considered one of the most demanding in Europe is the Col de la Lombarde pass.

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Col de la Cayolle 2326 m - from Barcelonette
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 29.3 km
Duration 3:10 h
Ascent 1,210 m
Descent 7 m

A road bike ride to the Col de la Cayolle pass at 2326 m from Barcelonette is an unforgettable experience for any cyclist.

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Col de la Loze 2304 m - from Brides-les-Baines and Méribel
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 21.5 km
Duration 3:20 h
Ascent 1,657 m
Descent 0 m

A road bike tour to the Col de la Loze at 2304 metres from the winter sports resort of Brides-les-Baines via Méribel is a challenging route in the ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Val Thorens 2300 m - from Moutiers
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 36.6 km
Duration 3:50 h
Ascent 1,949 m
Descent 127 m

One of the most impressive routes to conquer on a racing bike is the route from Moutiers to the Val Thorens ski resort in the Vanois massif in Savoie.

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · France
Barrage du Saut 2280 m - from Le Villaret Du Nial on Lac du Chevril
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 5.7 km
Duration 0:55 h
Ascent 467 m
Descent 0 m

One of the most spectacular routes you can take on a racing bike leads to the Ruisseau de la Sassière reservoir in the Grande Sassière National ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
Road Cycling · Pyrénées
Port de Boucharo 2270 m - from Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 31.6 km
Duration 3:50 h
Ascent 1,640 m
Descent 82 m

One of the most spectacular racing bike routes leads to Puerto de Bujaruelo / Port de Boucharo at 2270 m, which lies between the French department ...

from Paul Bieber,   Outdooractive Editors
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