Cycling climbs: the best cols in Europe on one map

The Stelvio with its 48 hairpins, the 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez, the Tourmalet, the Mortirolo: for many cyclists, the great climbs are the reason to go on a cycling holiday. This page brings together the best cycling climbs in Europe. The map shows 153 cols in the Alps, the Dolomites, the Pyrenees, the Vosges, Provence, Italy and Spain, with length, elevation gain and gradient. Below, for each mountain range, you can read where to stay and which climbs you should not miss.

Here's how to use the card: Choose a starting point to see only the climbs in that region. Click on a col for the data of one climbing side. For the yellow points, we have a custom route with GPX.

EverythingBourg-d'OisansSamoënsBourg-Saint-MauriceLourdesLuchon & Saint-LaryAlta BadiaCortina d'AmpezzoBassano del GrappaLake GardaBormioLivignoVarese and Lake ComoCuneo & PineroloMartignyAndermattSt. MoritzInnsbruckZell am See & KaprunSienaAbruzzoCalpeGironaNice and the Côte d'AzurAnnecyBriançonBarcelonnetteMont VentouxVogezenMallorcaAsturiasFriuli

The highest, steepest and hardest climbs

Three top 10s from the same 153 climbs. Click a climb for the route or the destination where you ride it.

Cycling climbs by mountain range

French Alps: Alpe d’Huez, Galibier, Iseran and Joux Plane

Nowhere are so many famous Tourcols located so close together. From Bourg-d’Oisans You ride Alpe d’Huez, the Croix de Fer, the Glandon and the Galibier. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice you climb to the Col de l’Iseran, with 2,770 meters the highest paved pass in the Alps, and from Samoëns to the Joux Plane and the Colombière. Read also the steepest climbs of the French Alps and The car-free days of the Oisans Col Series. Everything about the region is on the page. French Alps.

Further south are the Col d’Izoard near Briançon and the Col de la Bonette near Barcelonnette, which goes around the Cime de la Bonette to a height of 2,802 metres. Around Annecy you can drive along the Semnoz (Crêt de Châtillon), the Forclaz de Montmin and the Aravis. Read Our Classic Ride over the Bonette.

Pyrenees: Tourmalet, Aubisque and Hautacam

The Pyrenees are more rugged and quieter than the Alps. From Lourdes or Argelès-Gazost you can cycle up the Tourmalet, the most frequently climbed col in Tour history, and the Aubisque, Soulor, Hautacam and Luz-Ardiden. From Luchon and Saint-Lary you can ride up the Peyresourde, the Aspin and the Col de Portet. See 5 mythical cols in the Pyrenees and the destination Pyrenees.

Dolomites: the passes around the Sella

In the Dolomites, everything revolves around the passes around the Sellamassive: Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo, together the most beautiful and spectacular of the Dolomites. Sella Ronda. From Cortina d’Ampezzo you drive up to the Giau, the Falzarego and to the Drei Zinnen (Rifugio Auronzo). More on the page Dolomites.

Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo

Bormio is the location of three of the most famous Giro climbs: the Stelvio (2,757 meters), the Gavia and the Mortirolo, with an average gradient of almost 11 percent, one of the steepest long climbs in Europe. Read Our Classic Ride over the Stelvio from Prato and the destination Bormio.

Switzerland: Furka, Grimsel and Susten

In Switzerland, the passes are long and wide, with large differences in altitude. From Andermatt Combine your Furka, Grimsel, Susten, Gotthard and Oberalp passes. In Valais You drive to the Grand Saint-Bernard and to Champex and Verbier. See also The most beautiful climbs of the Swiss Alps.

Austria: Grossglockner and Kühtai

The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse takes you via Hochtor to the Edelweiss peak at 2,571 meters, from Salzburgerland. Around Innsbruck Tyrol You drive to Kühtai and the Timmelsjoch (Passo del Rombo).

Mont Ventoux and Provence

The Kale Berg (1,909 meters) stands out in the landscape and has three climbing sides. The classic route from Bédoin is over 21 kilometers long, with the steepest part through the forest. You can read all about the three sides and where to stay here. Mont Ventoux and Provence & Mont Ventoux.

Vogezen: Grand Ballon and Planche des Belles Filles

Closer to home are the Vosges, with the Grand Ballon (1,424 meters) as the highest peak and the steep Planche des Belles Filles. Ideal for a long weekend; read our route to the Grand Ballon and the destination Vogezen.

Spain: Sa Calobra, Coll de Rates and the Angliru

In Spain you can also cycle in winter. In Mallorca, the trails are winding. Sa Calobra in a spiral to the sea; at the Costa Blanca In January, professional teams will ride the Coll de Rates and Xorret de Catí; around Girona The Rocacorba and the Mare de Déu del Mont. The heaviest of all is located in Asturias: the Angliru, with pieces of more than 20 percent. See also The best Vuelta climbs to ride yourself.

Italy: Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo and Friuli

Outside the Dolomites, Italy has much more to offer: the Colle delle Finestre and the Agnello in the Dolomites Piedmont, The Blockhaus and Campo Imperatore in the Abruzzo, and in Friuli The Zoncolan. Read our tips for the climbs in Friuli.

More about the great climbs

• 24 legendary climbs from the Tour de France
• The highest paved climbs in the world
• Car-free days in the Alps: all the dates in a row
• Bormio: the starting point for Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo
• Oisans: the base for Alpe d’Huez and more
• All the stories about the big cols

When can you ride the high mountain passes?

Most passes above 2,000 meters are open from June to September, some already in late May and often until mid-October. Snow can shift that every year, so check the region's website or the pass's website before you leave. In the summer, there are car-free days on many passes; you can find them here. our overview of car-free days. If you want to climb in the spring or winter, choose Mallorca, the Costa Blanca or Girona.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest climb in Europe you can ride?

The Col de l’Iseran (2,770 meters) is the highest paved pass in the Alps. The loop over the Cime de la Bonette goes up to 2,802 meters. Outside the Alps, you can reach the Pico del Veleta in the Sierra Nevada even higher, but the final stretch is closed off to traffic there.

What is the hardest cycling climb in Europe?

That depends on what you find difficult. In terms of steepness, the Angliru and the Zoncolan are considered the hardest, with sections above 20 percent. In terms of length and elevation meters, the Galibier, the Iseran and the Stelvio crown the list, with about 1,800 to 2,100 elevation meters in a single climb.

Which Tour de France climbs should you ride first?

Alpe d’Huez and the Tourmalet are the most famous and easy to climb if you have some climbing experience. If you want to climb several major cols in one week, choose a base as Bourg-d’Oisans, Bormio or Lourdes, where you climb a different climb every day.

How do you train for long climbs?

Ride long distances in the months before the race, with hills included, and practice climbing at a steady pace. A lighter gear (for example, a 34-tooth front sprocket with a 32 or 34 rear sprocket) makes long ascents much more enjoyable.