The steepest climbs in the French Alps, from Galibier to La Tougnète

Which climb in the French Alps is actually the hardest? That depends on the yardstick: average ascent, maximum vertical drop, total vertical meters or absolute altitude. Here, it’s the combination of steepness, length, vertical meters and absolute altitude that counts. An Alpine climb becomes truly difficult only when all four of these factors come together. This is a list of the hardest climbs in the French Alps.

The 7 most difficult climbs in the French Alps

We use the Profile Index of CyclingCols as a starting point. This index combines a number of factors into a single number per climb. The higher the number, the heavier the overall package. Handy!

1. Col du Galibier

From Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne It counts 18.2 km, 1239 altitude meters and an average of 7% on the northern side. Maximum over 1 km: 9.5%. The peak is at 2642 m and the total elevation gain from the valley is 2095 m. The last 8 km barely drop below 10%. This is a climb where length, altitude, steepness and Tour history all come together.

2. La Tougnète – Profile Index 1431

This is a beautiful project where money is being spent on reinventing mountain climbing. La Tougnète, together with the Col de la Loze, is a project of Les Trois Vallees. It is ambitious! From Moûtiers Building towards Les Ménuires you add up 2052 vertical meters with an average of 9.8%. The maximum? 27%. That’s the highest peak elevation of all the Savoie climbs in the data. Moreover, you’re 24.3 km above the 5%th. Outside the Tour circuit, this is one of the most brutal climbs in this selection. Additionally, it’s car-free.

You can read Ruth’s blog about la Tougnète below. She went on a hike there a few years ago. What a monster climb!

Cycling in the Vallée des Belleville: a paradise for adventurous cyclists 

3. Col de la Loze

In recent years, a lot of money has been invested in developing Les Trois Vallees. The Col de la Loze is the result of this investment. All the villages in this valley claim the col. It is just like the Tougnete, car-free.

The west side from Moûtiers via Méribel It has 28 km, 1834 altitude meters, an average of 6.5% and peaks up to 18%. The special cycling route above Méribel averages 9.3% km in 7.1 hours. The peak is at 2304 m. This climb is a gigantic problem for any amateur. Especially the last part with a kind of straight line to the top.

Read also the Experiences of Dennis.

4. Col de la Madeleine

From La Chambre You drive 19.3 km at an average of 7.9%, covering 1522 vertical meters. The variant from La Lechère has a final of 12 km at 7.4% with stretches of up to 10%. The peak at 1994 m makes the final extra difficult after a long descent.

5. Col de l’Iseran

You must have done this at least once. It is the longest climb in France and the highest paved mountain pass in Europe. Cime de la Bonette is higher, but that is not a mountain pass. For the experts. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice If you drive 46.8 km (!), you gain 2086 vertical meters and end up with 2770 m. The average increase is lower than in the top four, but the combination of length and height makes this a grueling workout of a size.

6. Col de la Croix de Fer

‘The Iron Cross’ is rightly an Alpine classic. The northeastern side from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne It offers a difference in altitude of up to 1,662 m, with 6.2 km above the 10%th. The west side from Rochetaillée extends over 32.1 km. The weight of this climb lies in the alternation: flat stretches that give you hope, followed by stretches that keep on teasing you.

7. Col du Glandon

The third most climbed col in France on CyclingCols (measured by unique cyclists). From Rochetaillée Is this a tough Alpine climb that stands in the shadow of its neighbor, Croix de Fer, but is also tough enough on its own.

The steepest Tour de France climbs in the Alps

For the most challenging Alpine climbs with Tour history, the order looks like this:

• Col du Galibier – 64 Tour passages. North side: 18.2 km, 7% average, 9.5% max.
• Col de la Loze – Tour debut in 2020, since then also in 2023 and 2025 included. West side: 28 km, 6.5% average, 18% max.
• Col de la Madeleine – First time in the tour in 1969, now 28 passes. La Chambre section: 19.3 km at 7.9%.
• Col de la Croix de Fer – 22 Tour passages. Northeast side with 6.2 km above 10%.
• Col de l’Iseran – 7 Tour passes (until 2019). Longest climb in France at 46.8 km.
• Col du Glandon – 15 Tour passages. Solid on his own merits, extra painful as a starter for the Croix de Fer.

And Alpe d’Huez then?

Alpe d'Huez It is iconic, the 21 turns are legendary, but on this scale it falls outside the top tier. With 14 km, 1018–1122 altitude meters and 7.7–8% average speed, it is a shorter, less steep climb than the group above. As Tour heritage, it remains exceptional, but on weight it does not reach this top.

The same applies to the Col du Télégraphe (12.1 km, 7% average, 10% max), which often serves as a warm-up for the Galibier and does not belong at the top of the list on this scale.

Which one suits you?

If you're looking for the toughest all-rounder, pick the Galibier. If you want a steep modern Tour climb, ride the Col de la Loze. If you're looking for a wildcard with absurd peak numbers outside the Tour circuit, look at La Tougnète.