19
PDI
10.1 mi
DISTANCE
3,079 ft
GAINED
5.8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Switzerland
INTRO
Col de l'Iseran is the highest paved pass in the Alps, and the northern approach starts in one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, Val-d'Isère. From the center of town, the D902 climbs 16.2 km (10.1 mi) and 938 m (3079 ft) at an average of 5.8% to the col at 2764 m (9068 ft) - a long, steady, high-altitude ascent that never turns brutal but never really lets up either.
This is the more open, more alpine of the Iseran's two sides. The road leaves the chalets behind at Le Fornet, crosses the Isère at the Pont Saint-Charles around km 5, then swings into a pair of giant hairpins above the valley. From there it's a long traverse above the tree line, with ever-bigger views back down to Val-d'Isère, past a viewing table and a small pond about a kilometer below the top. The final kilometer is the steepest of the climb, and at this altitude it feels every bit of it.
The Iseran first appeared in the Tour de France in 1938, and Val-d'Isère has hosted the race itself - a stage finish in 1963, and in 2007 the stage to Briançon started in town and went straight up this side of the pass. The road is only open in summer and early autumn, and the weather at 2700 m (8860 ft) can change fast, so check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Col de l'Iseran from Val-d'Isère climbs 16.2 km (10.1 mi) from 1831 m (6008 ft) to 2759 m (9052 ft) at the top of our route, gaining 938 m (3079 ft) at an average grade of 5.8%.
The first 2 km through town and on toward Le Fornet are gentle (about 3-5%), and the grade eases again to about 3% around the Pont Saint-Charles near km 5 - the last real breather until km 10, where another flatter kilometer averages under 4%. Everything else sits between 6% and 7%, steady enough to settle into a rhythm.
The sting is at the very end: the steepest kilometer, averaging 8.6%, is the final push to the col, and the steepest short pitches reach about 9-10%. The steepest 2 km average 7.7%, the steepest 5 km 6.9%, and the steepest 10 km 6.3%. The bigger challenge is altitude - the whole climb is above 1800 m (5900 ft) and the last 5 km are above 2400 m (7870 ft), so pace yourself early.
Roadway: The D902 is paved the entire way and in good summer condition, climbing through a few long hairpins and then long, exposed traverses above the tree line. The pass is closed in winter: for 2026 it reopened on June 12, and the scheduled winter closure is the first Monday in November (November 2, 2026), but autumn snow can close it earlier at short notice - check the Savoie department's road information before setting out.
Traffic: The Iseran is part of the Route des Grandes Alpes, so expect steady summer traffic, especially motorcycles and sports cars, heaviest in July and August and lightest early in the morning. Each June, L'Iserane closes this side of the road to motor vehicles for a morning (until 12:30) so cyclists can ride from Val-d'Isère to the col and back in peace.
Parking: Val-d'Isère has several public car parks around the center, close to the start of the climb. If you'd rather skip the town section, the free Pont Saint-Charles car park sits right on the D902 at about km 5 of the climb (around 40 spaces, with toilets and picnic tables) - it's also a busy hiking trailhead, so in summer arrive before about 10 am.
Provisions: Val-d'Isère is a full resort town, so stock up on food and water there before you leave - there are no shops or fountains you can count on along the D902 between Le Fornet and the col.
Gear: The gradients are moderate, so standard compact gearing is fine for most riders, but the altitude is not - the top is close to 2800 m (9200 ft), and even on a warm July day in Val-d'Isère it can be cold, windy and wet at the col. Bring a windproof jacket, full-finger gloves and a warm layer for the long descent, and expect headwinds on the exposed upper section.
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.
Val-d'Isère is a true high-mountain ski town at the head of the Tarentaise valley, on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, France's oldest. It hosted the men's downhill at the 1992 Winter Olympics, and its linked ski area with Tignes is named Espace Killy after Jean-Claude Killy, the triple Olympic champion who grew up here. In summer the town is far quieter, with hiking right from the village.
The Pont Saint-Charles at km 5 is worth a stop: several hiking trails start from the car park, including routes into the Vanoise. If you're in the area in late June, L'Iserane is a relaxed, untimed ride from Val-d'Isère to the col and back on a road closed to cars and motorcycles.
For a much bigger day, start in the Isère valley and climb all the way - the full northern ascent from Bourg-Saint-Maurice is about 48 km (29.8 mi) and 1955 m (6414 ft) of gain. Our Montée de Tignes page covers the tunnels and the Lac du Chevril section below town, and our Bonneval-sur-Arc page covers the wilder southern side, its chapel at the col and the Iseran's Tour history.
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golmstead
We left early to beat the rain that was forecast, but could have left earlier. The climb is not so hard, except that the thinner oxygen made it necessary to slow down a bit. Can't really say what the view is, but the first 90% of the ride was really beautiful. At just under 8900ft at the summit, it's the highest elevation I've been on a bike.
