Col del'Iseran.

Distance

48 km

Duration

1 day

Climb

1,450 m

Rating

4.9 / 5

1123 reviews

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Curated by Rider · Updated Jun 2026

Overview

Col de l'Iseran.

At 2,764 m, the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps — connecting Val d'Isère in Savoie with Bonneval-sur-Arc. The approach from Val d'Isère is used in the Tour de France. Above treeline for almost its entire length; permanent snowfields visible even in July. Open July to mid-October only.

Quick facts

SurfacePaved

Distance48 km

Days1

Total climb1,450 m

DifficultyChallenging

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Day-by-day

The route.

ROUTE

6 stops

Val d'IsèreStart · Fuel up in the resort before starting the climb — no fuel above. The resort is at 1,850 m already; the pass adds another 900 m. Leave early to catch the pass before afternoon cloud builds.

La Daille ViewpointScenic Point · Looking back at Val d'Isère from the first switchbacks above — the resort valley in its full glacial grandeur. The ascent road is already high above the treeline.

Pre-Summit SnowfieldsScenic Point · Permanent snowfields line the road even in the height of summer. The gradient increases sharply in the final 3 km before the summit. Road markings are sometimes repainted over the lingering snow.

Col de l'Iseran — SummitMountain Pass · 2,764 m — the highest paved pass in the Alps. A small chapel (Notre-Dame de l'Iseran, 1939) stands at the summit. The Bureau des Guides is open in summer. In Tour de France years, the crowds here rival any summit finish.

BessansScenic Point · The descent toward Bonneval follows the Arc river valley — one of the few remaining traditional Tarentaise communities, largely unchanged since the 18th century.

Bonneval-sur-ArcEnd · The highest permanently inhabited village in France at 1,800 m — no modern intrusions allowed by law; stone and lauze roofs only. A pristine medieval mountain village 30 minutes below the highest pass in the Alps.

Reviews

From riders.

1123 verified rides logged on this route.

4.9/ 5

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

1123 verified rides

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