{"id":27053,"date":"2026-07-16T13:57:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T11:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=27053"},"modified":"2026-07-16T13:57:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T11:57:02","slug":"steepest-climbs-in-the-french-alps-by-bike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/frankrijk\/franse-alpen\/steilste-klimmen-franse-alpen-fietsen","title":{"rendered":"The steepest climbs in the French Alps, from Galibier to La Tougn\u00e8te"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Col de la Loze<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 7 most difficult climbs in the French Alps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We use the Profile Index of CyclingCols<\/a><\/strong> 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Col du Galibier <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

From Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne<\/strong> 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<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top of the Galibier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Galibier,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. La Tougn\u00e8te \u2013 Profile Index 1431<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is a beautiful project where money is being spent on reinventing mountain climbing. La Tougn\u00e8te, together with the Col de la Loze, is a project of Les Trois Vallees. It is ambitious! From Mo\u00fbtiers<\/strong> Building towards Les M\u00e9nuires you add up 2052 vertical meters with an average of 9.8%. The maximum? 27%<\/strong>. That\u2019s the highest peak elevation of all the Savoie climbs in the data. Moreover, you\u2019re 24.3 km above the 5%th. Outside the Tour circuit, this is one of the most brutal climbs in this selection. Additionally, it\u2019s car-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can read Ruth\u2019s blog about la Tougn\u00e8te below. She went on a hike there a few years ago. What a monster climb! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cycling in the Vall\u00e9e des Belleville: a paradise for adventurous cyclists\u00a0<\/a><\/blockquote>