Cycling · the legendary climbs
The Climbs

The great Oisans climbs, within riding distance.

We don't hand out GPX tracks here — climbers have their own. Just the numbers and the character of each climb.

I

Alpe du Grand Serre · Col de la Morte

The doorstep climb

The closest one. Steady, shaded and quiet once the resort sleeps — with a due-south view of the Taillefer at the top.

12.7 km7.2 % avg+1,000 m1,368 m
Start: Séchilienne
II

Col d'Ornon

Warm-up

The gateway between the Oisans and the Valbonnais. Uneven but free-running — the ideal warm-up, with a fountain at the top.

10.5 km6.5 % avg+660 m1,367 m
Start: La Paute (Bourg-d'Oisans)
III

L'Alpe d'Huez

Beyond category

The legend. 21 numbered hairpins, brutal from the start (12%), relentless all the way to the resort.

13.8 km8.1 % avg+1,120 m1,850 m21 hairpins
Start: Bourg-d'Oisans
IV

Croix de Fer & Glandon

Beyond category

Long, uneven, sublime. Up to the emerald lake of Grand'Maison, then the high pastures. The Glandon (1,924 m) lies 3 km away.

30 km~5 % avg+1,500 m2,067 m
Start: Bourg-d'Oisans
V

Les Deux Alpes

Cat. 1

Via the quiet Les Travers road (Bons). The finale faces the Roche de la Muzelle and the glaciers.

12 km7.3 % avg+900 m1,652 m
Start: Bourg-d'Oisans
The big loop

La Boucle des Cols links the Croix de Fer and the Glandon — 150 km, 3,820 m of climbing. It's also the course of the Marmotte.

Safety & season

Avoid the Rampe de Laffrey (N85) — go via Séchilienne instead. The passes are open roughly May to October. Every Tuesday in summer, the Oisans Col Series closes one climb to cars.