Je draait de laatste haarspeldbochten van de Stelvio op en het enige wat je hoort is je eigen ademhaling en het tikken van de ketting en het schakelen. Geen motoren, geen campers, geen getoeter. In 2026 kun je dat bijna elke week ergens in de Alpen meemaken. Wat heet! Autovrije cols in de Alpen, Pyreneeën, Dolomieten en meer vind je in dit artikel, zodat jij jouw ideale zomer kunt plannen. Wat ooit begon als een paar losse lokale initiatieven is uitgegroeid tot een kalender van autovrije cols, verspreid over Italy, France and Switzerland. So cyclists can turn holidays into altimeters this year.
Dolomites - Sella Ronda without exhaust fumes
The Sellaronda Bike Day is the first introduction to car-free climbing for many cyclists. The 55-kilometre loop around the Sella massif takes in four well-known passes: Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo. Together account for some 1,700 altimeters. The Sellaronda is a true classic.
There will be two editions in 2026: Saturday 6 June and Saturday 12 September. De wegen gaan om 8:30 uur dicht en blijven tot 15:30 uur afgesloten voor gemotoriseerd verkeer. Geen inschrijving nodig, geen startgeld. De sfeer: een lange sliert klimmers tussen de bergwanden, koffiestops bij de rifugio’s, en op de Pordoi het monument voor Fausto Coppi. Vroeg starten en tegen de klok in rijden is de aanbevolen richting. Na 11 uur is het druk bij de koffiestops.
Basecamp: Corvara at Alta Badia. Fietsvriendelijke hotels, goede stalling, en je staat binnen een paar minuten aan de voet van de eerste klim.
Stelvio - the tough stuff
For heavier routes, there is Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina. This programme, now in its ninth edition, regularly closes the Central Alps' toughest passes between May and September. And we are talking about the Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo and the Cancano Lakes.
The big day is 29 August: then all three sides of the Stelvio close. From Bormio, from Trafoi and via the Swiss Umbrail Pass. That's the 24th edition of the Cima Coppi Climb. Sixteen hours of cycling alone on 48 hairpin turns and almost 1,800 altimeters.
| Pass | Data 2026 | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Passo dello Stelvio | 29 Aug / 19 Sept | 8:00-16:00 |
| Passo Gavia | 5 June / 30 Aug | 9:00-13:00 |
| Passo del Mortirolo | 9 June / 28 Aug | 9:00-13:00 |
| Cancano Lakes | 8 June / 11 July / 27 Aug | 9:00-13:00 |
| Passo San Marco | 30 May | 9:00-13:00 |
The Mortirolo on a car-free morning is already tough (average 10.5%). The Gavia on the same day makes the ride even harder. Compact gear (34×32 or larger) is common here.
Basecamp: Bormio. Centrally located for Stelvio, Gavia AND Mortirolo. Bike-friendly hotels with stabling and work stands, and thermal baths for recovery afterwards.
Col Series Oisans -French Alps - a different legend every Tuesday
In the Oisans, the home of Alpe d'Huez, turns the Oisans Col Series for years on Tuesday mornings in July and August. A different col each week, free, no registration, with ravitaillation at the summit.
Schedules include: Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Glandon, Col de Sarenne and finally Alpe d'Huez itself, with 21 corners. The latter is traditionally run on a Wednesday.
In the Hautes-Alpes one organises the Tournée des Grands Cols: five days in a row a different col. Galibier (2.642m), Izoard, Col Agnel, Col du Granon and Col de l'Échelle. Closures usually between 9:00 and 12:00. In Haute-Savoie is the Col de Joux Plane Car-free on 20 July.
As a result, you can ride several car-free cols in the Oisans region in one week.
Basecamp: Bourg d'Oisans. At the foot of Alpe d'Huez, with many bakeries and facilities for cyclists.
Switzerland - extra quiet
Switzerland does things differently. Fewer large-scale events, more structurally car-free roads. One of the key initiatives is the Ride the Alps. This initiative's climbs are mainly in the Valais-Wallis region. Expect a car-free Sanetsch pass, as a classic.
The Grosse Scheidegg near Grindelwald is closed to car traffic all year round (postbuses only). Ten kilometres of climbing at an average of 9.1% in the shadow of the Eiger. There is otherwise hardly any traffic.
The Tremola to the San Gottardo runs through 38 hairpin bends over historic cobblestones. Part of the Ride the Alps-programme. Many cyclists opt for sturdy tyres here.
In addition, on Saturday 8 August at Düdingen in the canton of Fribourg, a 49- or 59-kilometre circuit over 12 smaller passes.
How do you piece together your summer?
You can combine. One week Bormio around the Stelvio and Gavia days at the end of August, moving on to the Dolomites for the Sellaronda on 12 September. Or start in early June with Sellaronda on 6 June, then the Gavia on the 5th and Mortirolo on the 9th. Cancellations occur in extreme circumstances, which may require a buffer day.
On the morning of the event, local sites provide the latest information: bormio.eu for Italy, bike-oisans.com for France.
What are we still missing?
Do you know of any other car-free cols or local bike days you are allowed to cycle over? Especially from Germany and Austria, we'd love to hear more. Let us know and we'll start testing.
FAQ - Car-free cols Alps 2026
When will the Stelvio be car-free in 2026?
The Stelvio will be car-free on 29 August and 19 September 2026.
Should you sign up for car-free cols?
No, most car-free col days are free and open without registration.
What is the most famous car-free col?
The Sellaronda Bike Day and Enjoy Stelvio are the best-known car-free climbing days in Europe. As is the Oisans Col Series.
