Col du Galibier
About
Col du Galibier is a legendary mountain pass in the French Alps, perched at 2 642 m (8 668 ft) in the Dauphiné region near Grenoble. Its high, winding road connects Saint‑Michel‑de‑Maurienne in Savoie with Briançon in Hautes‑Alpes, and it is celebrated as the eighth highest paved road in the entire Alps. The pass has been a cornerstone of the Tour de France since 1911, offering riders a brutal yet breathtaking climb with a sustained average gradient of 6.9% from the south and 6.1% from the north. In winter the road is closed to traffic and the summit can be reached only by mountain bike or on foot, but during the summer months climbers and hikers flock to the summit for panoramic views of the Dauphiné Arch and the surrounding valleys.
Highlights
- Highest Paved Road in the Alps
- Historic Tour de France Climb
- Spectacular Alpine Views
Must-See Areas
Good to Know
Good for
Best time to visit
The best times to experience Col du Galibier are late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) when the weather is generally mild and the roads are clear, yet the scenery remains spectacular.
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 3 hours