France Col du Glandon (West)
Col du Glandon (West) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

21.1
PDI
18 mi
DISTANCE
4,473 ft
GAINED
4.1 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Erwan Treguier, Brittany, France

INTRO

Col du Glandon from the west begins at the northern end of Lac du Verney in Le Verney, near Allemond, and follows the D526 north up the Eau d'Olle valley for 29.0 km (18.0 mi) to the col at 1924 m (6,312 ft). The profile is irregular - the road dips twice on the way up - so the climb averages a moderate 4.1% overall, even though its steepest kilometer reaches 10.5%.

The jewel of this climb is the earthen Grand'Maison dam and the bright blue reservoir behind it, which we ride beside from kilometer 16 to 19.5. Above the lake the forest gives way to open alpine meadows, the last kilometers ease off, and marmots are a common sight.

The Glandon links the Romanche and Maurienne valleys and is a Tour de France regular. It was part of stage 20 of the 2026 Tour (25 July), which crossed the Glandon on its way to Croix de Fer, and La Marmotte Granfondo Alpes climbs it from this western side as well. Croix de Fer sits a short distance further along the same road.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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The climb averages 4.1% over 29.0 km (18 mi), but that average hides an uneven profile. The road drops about 187 m (614 ft) in two descents along the way, so total climbing works out to roughly 1363 m (4,473 ft) - a lot more than the col's height above the start suggests.

The hardest part is the straight pitch through the Maupas gorge before the Grand'Maison dam, where the grade holds above 11%. Our data shows the steepest 500 meters averaging 11.7%, the steepest kilometer 10.5%, the steepest 2 km 9.4%, and the steepest 5 km 8.4%. Past the dam the road is in full sun and the final kilometers through the alpine meadows are far more moderate.
Roadway: The road is paved the entire way from Le Verney to the col. The Glandon typically opens in late May or early June and closes with the first heavy snow in November, so check the Isère and Savoie road-status pages before riding early or late in the season. Reviewers also warn that drivers on the descent cut across the centerline, so keep to your side and take the corners conservatively.

Traffic: Traffic is moderate near Allemond and Lac du Verney and builds in summer around the Grand'Maison dam, a popular scenic stop. Above the lake it thins out. On selected Tuesday mornings in summer the Oisans Col Series closes the road to motor vehicles from 9am to noon between the Rivier d'Allemond exit and the passes, and La Marmotte Granfondo Alpes brings a full day of closures and thousands of riders in late June or early July - confirm dates with the Oz and Vaujany tourist offices.

Parking: The climb starts at the northern end of Lac du Verney, where roadside pull-offs and parking near the Barrage du Verney are the usual spots for riders who drive in; the same start area serves Col du Sabot and Croix de Fer. Many riders instead ride out from Bourg-d'Oisans or from a hotel in Allemond.
Provisions: There is a boulangerie and several cafes in Allemond and a restaurant in Rivier d'Allemont, and riders report at least three water troughs on the west side of the road in Le Rivier d'Allemont, two of them just before the WWI memorial. Past the dam there is nothing until the Chalet du Col du Glandon just below the col, where we have stopped for lunch, and a small cafe at the Croix de Fer summit takes cash.

Gear: Above the lake you are in full sun for the rest of the climb, so bring sunscreen and plan on at least two bottles. A compact crankset helps on the 10-11% pitches in the Maupas gorge. Pack a windproof layer for the descent - the col sits at 1,924 m (6,312 ft) and temperatures drop quickly even on a hot valley day.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
In Allemond, the Auberge La Douce Montagne is certified Accueil Cyclo Oisans, with a bike garage, secure storage and an e-bike charging station, and it makes a good base for the Glandon and its neighbors. Our Col de la Croix de Fer (West) page covers the wider Allemont and Vaujany area; here, the thing worth knowing is what is at the top. At the col a monument honors Resistance fighters of 1944, and the Chalet du Col du Glandon serves meals just below it.

The Glandon from the west is the gentler of its two approaches - the climb from Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines in the Maurienne valley is rated hors categorie by the Tour. Check conditions at both the start and the col before you set out with our Weather tool.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Challenging
4/5
Road
4/5
Traffic
5/5
Scenery

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Aug 18, 2025
difficulty: Challenging
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 4
Aug 18, 2025
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 4
Started from Grenoble so Ill try to keep this to just the official segment and to what I would want to know if I wanted to do this climb. Went on a Monday after a three day weekend and got to Allemond around 8:00. Nothing to note before. Route took me up the east side of Lac du Verney. Settled in under the shade of the trees. At least three water troughs on the west side of the road in Le Rivier D'Allemont. Two just before the WWI memorial pictured. After that a steep descent then a steep climb until Lac d'Grand Maison then it lessens some but you’re in the full sun for the rest of the climb. Little shack at Col du Glandon has snacks and cold drinks. Continue to Col du Choix. Nothing but views there. A week in France and one IMPORTANT thing to note. Drivers DO NOT respect the centerline. Bomb the descents at your own risk
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Col du Glandon West  

Ride 29 kilometers gaining 1,363 meters at 4.1% average grade (5.4% climb only).

Col de la Croix de Fer from the east and west completely follows the same route as Col du Glandon but for the last 2.5 kilometers at 5.3% average grade.  Both are famed climbs which have been included in the Tour de France many times.

 Here are the basic statistics for the three Croix de Fer climbs, together with the overlap information for Col du Glandon:

  • Col du Glandon West (Le Verney):  29 kilometers gaining 1363 meters at 4.1% (5.6% climb only; all overlapping Croix de Fer West).
  • Col du Glandon East (Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines): 20.2 kilometers  gaining 1,461 meters at 7.3% (all overlapping Croix de fer North).

START

The approach to Col du Glandon from the west begins  by riding north on D526 at the 30 kilometer sign (start of the TdF climb) just after crossing the Romanche River and Route D44.  The jewel of this climb is the earthen dam, coupled with the beautiful blue waters of Lac de Grand Maison, the glacially formed lake we ride by from kilometers 22 to 26.

FIRST SEGMENT - START TO LAC DE GRAND MAISON (KM 22.2)

Pass Lac du Verney from kilometer 3.5 to 5.6

The actual ascent doesn’t commence until the seventh kilometer, with the initial seven kilometers having an average gradient of 1.1%. We start our route at at the 30 km marker because this point marks the commencement of the Tour de France route and its kilometer markers.

This route services both Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer (the Iron Cross).

Scenes along the first half of the climb.

We descent 700 meters and 4 hairpins at kilometer 14.8 (photo top left)

SEGMENT 2 - LAC DE GRAND MAISON

We reach Lac de Grand Maison at kilometer 22.2 and ride along its northern edge for the next 3.7 kilometers.  The first 2.2 kilometers are uphill, averaging 4% grade while the last 1.5 kilometers are at an average -3.6% grade.

This earthen dam is among our favorites, distinguished by its picturesque surroundings, prominent visibility upon approach, and the conspicuous series of five hairpin turns ascending its face

We can ride right up to the dam, although there is a gate blocking the road across it.  After observing several hikers walk across the dam, we did venture out onto it.

The Lac de Grand Maison is a man-made reservoir located in the Rhône-Alpes region of France, specifically in the Isère department. The lake was constructed between 1978 and 1985 and  is positioned in a mountainous area that is renowned for its picturesque surroundings. It was formed by the damming of the Eau d'Olle river and is primarily used for hydropower generation. Due to its elevated location, the lake is also a popular destination for hiking and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

The reservoir is at 1,698 meters elevation.

SEGMENT 3 - NORTHERN END OF LAC DE GRAND MAISON (KM 25.5)

TO COL DU GLANDON

We are bordered by gentle hillsides as we climb the remaining 3 kilometers at 7.3% average grade from the reservoir to Col du Glandon.

Turn left at the fork at kilometer 28.6 (right to Col de la Croix de Fer)

It is 100 meters from the final turn to Col du Glandon.  Stay straight instead of turning left to Col du Glandon and climb another 2.5 kilometers at 5.5% average grade to Col de la Croix de Fer.

As of 2023 there is a snack shack at the finish.

We strongly recommend that you continue the 2.6 km to from Col du Glandon to Col de la Croix de Fer if you choose to undertake either ot the Glandon climbs -- you will not regret it!

   

 TOUR DE FRANCE

As of 2023, Col du Glandon has been included in the Tour de France 14 times since it was first introduced in 1947, most recently in 2015.  After its inaugural year, Glandon was not included again until 1977, and has been included sparingly thereafter (averaging about once every four years, 12 times in the 46 years between 1977 and 2023).

Cycling Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer sign, PJAMM cycling, bicycle

Merckx realized his mortality on Glandon, Stage 18 1977 TdF.

The king of Col du Glandon is unquestionably Lucien Van Impe (winner 1976 Tour de France).  Van Impe participated in each TdF from 1969 to 1981 and Glandon was featured in three of those tours (1977, 1981, and 1983).  Van Impe was first across the col on each of those stages, on his way to winning the mountain classification each time.

Cycling Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer sign, PJAMM cycling, bicycle

Lucien Van Impe, the King of the Mountains, and Col du Glandon

Photo:  Philippe B.


Col du Glandon was the prologue to one of the most famous (or rather, infamous?) cycling moments of all time.  Col du Glandon was the middle climb of three on Stage 10 July 17, 2001 (Col dd Madeleine, Col du Glandon, Alpe d’Huez).  Lance Armstrong had dropped from 5:56 back after Stage 7 to 35:43 back after a disastrous Stage 8 which saw a freak breakaway won by Erik Dekker, Alto Gonzalez and Servais Knaven. Armstrong was 20:07 back after Stage 9 and his main rival that year, Jan Ullrich, was at 22:41 going into Stage 10.

Armstrong appeared weak on Col de Madeleine which led Ullrich and his Team Telekom to begin an insane sprint up Col du Glandon, leaving Armstrong barely(?) hanging on to the rear of this lead group.  However, just a couple kilometers up Alpe d’Huez and with 11 kilometers remaining, Armstrong surged to the front of the group past Ullrich and then, in a moment of Tour lore, looked back (“The Look”) at Ullrich, fixed his gaze on him momentarily, then put the hammer down and accelerated away from a broken Jan Ullrich to victory and his third Tour de France victory of 7.[1] 

The Look: Alpe d’Huez Stage 10 2001 Tour de France.

Photo from J Barber and F Ruggeri as published in Masculine Heart.

[1] We all know, but it is necessary to mention here, that Lance Armstrong’s seven tour victories were all stripped due to the use of PEDs.