Climbs of the Alps: Col de l'Iseran - Col de l'Iseran: A gentle giant

The Col de l'Iseran (2,764 m), opened in 1936, connects the valleys of the Tarantaise, known for the largest ski resorts in the world, with the Maurienne. At 2,764 metres above sea level, the Iseran is the highest pass road in the Alps - even if there seems to be disagreement about the altitude: while the Michelin maps indicate an altitude of 2,764 metres, the sign at the top of the pass says 2,770 metres.

Despite its height, Iseran is not a brutal giant, but rather a gentle giant. No matter which side you approach it from: The gradients rarely exceed the eight per cent mark, and longer flat sections give climbers time to catch their breath. And some will need it: Stamina is required, especially on the almost 50-kilometre-long north side. After around 30 kilometres, from the village of Val d'Isère, the road winds its way through barren slopes, which are covered by ski pistes in winter. The once dreaded tunnels on the section along the Lac du Chevril reservoir were renovated and fitted with lights for the 2009 World Ski Championships. The southern ramp of the Iseran also requires a lot of stamina with more than 30 kilometres of ascent. However, it only gets really serious from the mountain village of Bonneval (1,835 m). The gradient picks up in a left-hand bend and levels out at an average of seven per cent. There are no lifts or ski slopes to disturb the high mountain landscape here, where glaciers descend from the three-thousand metre peaks.

At the top of the pass in a grey scree field, the brick pass sign stands next to the inn and a small church. However, the Iseran does not play a major role in the history of the Tour de France. The pass has only been on the route eight times, most recently in 2007. The 1996 crossing had to be cancelled due to heavy snowfall. In the middle of summer!

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Pass profile: France: Col de l'Iseran