Ride the Haute Route: Iconic Climbs of the French Alps

Col du Télégraphe-Galibier: A Legendary Double Whammy

The Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier, in the southern region of the French Dauphiné Alps near Grenoble, are inseparable in cycling lore and feature in Stage 3 on the final climb of the day. They’re not just famous; they’re legendary, and combined, it’s a long day out on the bike but worth every pedal stroke of elevation gain! If there’s one climb that embodies the brutal intensity of the Tour de France, it’s this double-whammy ascent!

Above: The long snaking road up the Galibier.

• Elevation Gain (Télégraphe): 1,100 m
• Elevation Gain (Galibier): 1,200 m
• Average Gradient: 6.9% (Télégraphe), 6.9% (Galibier)
• Length: 12.1 km (Télégraphe), 17.7 km (Galibier)

Starting with Col du Télégraphe, you’ll immediately notice the steepness of the terrain as you climb up towards the towering Galibier at 2,642 m. This iconic pair has been part of many epic battles, including those involving legends like Fausto Coppi and Jacques Anquetil. Notably, the Galibier is one of the highest paved roads in the Alps and has historically marked the point where riders begin to nudge their limits. Read more about this double-barrel climb on the ROUVY blog.

Above: Conquer the Telegraphe Galibier on ROUVY and watch out for the Marmotte.

• Ride Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier

Col d'Izoard, France: The Iconic “Desert” Landscape

The Col d'Izoard is located in the Hautes Alpes department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and can be ridden from two sides: Briancon and Guillestre. While the northern approach from Briançon is lush and green, the southern and more famous side is well-known as the Casse Déserte or the "desert" in the Alps. This arid and unique area showcases an almost stark and lunar landscape and is featured in Stage 4. Due to its proximity to the Italian border, this climb has also been featured several times in the Giro d’Italia.

Above: The snaking ascent of the Col d’Izoard against the backdrop of the Casse Déserte.

• Elevation Gain: 1,030 m
• Average Gradient: 7.1%
• Length: 14.3 km

At an elevation of 2,360 m, the Col d'Izoard is a formidable test that witnessed many legendary battles in the 1950s and 1960s, including Eddy Merckx's famous 1969 victory and later Marco Pantani's daring attack in 2000.

The 7 km from the village in the Arvieux Valley of Brunissard before the summit is one of the most brutal sections in Grand Tour climbing. It rarely drops below 8%. It has been referred to as “the climb which slowly kills,” catching many riders who went out too fast.

Above: A view of the Casse Déserte near the Col d’Izoard summit.

• Ride the Col d'Izoard

Col Agnel, France: A Tough Test with Majestic Views

Rising to an impressive 2,744 m, Col Agnel is the third-highest paved pass in Europe and one of France’s most iconic climbs. Spanning 20.5 km on the French side, it features an average gradient of 6.5%, with sustained steep sections exceeding 10%, particularly near the summit. Starting in the picturesque village of Molines-en-Queyras, the climb winds through serene alpine meadows before ascending into a stark, rocky landscape. Stage 5 offers breathtaking panoramic views of both the French and Italian Alps.

• Elevation Gain: 1,377 m
• Average Gradient: 7.1%
• Length: 21 km

Above: Ride the Col Agnel on ROUVY.

• Ride the Col Agnel

Col Saint Martin / La Colmiane

The Col Saint Martin is one of the lesser-known climbs, but don’t let that fool you, as it is relatively short but steep and features on Stage 6.

• Elevation Gain: 1100 m
• Average Gradient: 8.5%
• Length: 16 km

Located in the Alpes-Maritimes region, the climb to Col Saint Martin, also known as La Colmiane, reaches 1,500 m in elevation. It is a favourite among cyclists for its manageable gradients, rugged cliffs at the edges of the road, and magnificent vistas. The climb spans approximately 16 km with an average gradient of 6.3%, offering a steady challenge suitable for riders of various abilities.

Starting in Saint-Martin-Vésubie, the route winds through charming alpine villages, pine forests, and open stretches with spectacular views of the Mediterranean coastline in the distance. While not as steep as some other Alpine climbs, it features a few demanding sections with gradients reaching 8-9%, especially near the top.

Above: Experience the rugged beauty of the Col Saint Martin / La Colmiane

• Ride the Col Saint Martin

Col d’Èze, France: The Mountain of the Riviera

Perched above the glamorous French Riviera, the Col d’Èze is a short but iconic climb offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the picturesque coastline. Known as "The Mountain of the Riviera," it has a relatively short climb on Stage 7.

Above: The Col d’Èze climb in Nice.

• Length: 7.8 km
• Elevation Gain: 400 m
• Average Gradient: 7.5%

The climb begins near Nice and winds through quaint villages and terraced hillsides. Though relatively short, its consistent gradients—peaking around 8-9% in some sections—demand a steady pace and solid effort. The well-paved road and gentle switchbacks make it a favourite among local cyclists and a regular feature of events like Paris-Nice.

At the summit, cyclists are rewarded with panoramic vistas of the Côte d'Azur, stretching from Monaco to Cannes. The descent is equally enjoyable, offering smooth roads and sweeping curves. Perfect for training or leisure, the climb is a must-ride for any cyclist visiting the French Riviera.

• Ride the Col d’Èze

Climbing tips

To improve your indoor climbing experience, consider these suggestions:

Pace yourself conservatively and slowly build up your effort, ideally towards the end. To spare your legs and reduce accumulated fatigue, try using easy gearing and a high cadence of 85-95 RPM. At the same time, watch your heart rate to ensure that it remains as low as possible until unleashing it 3-4 km before the summit!

Gearing in your trainer setup will also significantly affect the management of these climbs and all climbing routes on ROUVY. Gradients will feel realistic and, at times, quite challenging on your first attempts on ROUVY. ROUVY keeps things honest—just like in the real world! You should choose your setup carefully at the outset: Easy climbing gears are necessary!

I suggest a gravel, mountain, or road bike with a compact crank in front and a 32 or 34T as your largest gear at the rear. You can also go for an integrated all-in-one trainer bike, like the Wahoo Kickr Bike Shift, which I really enjoy, where you can pre-select any gear you want. If you find that the climb is still too difficult, you can do it in Just Ride Mode and reduce the reality level. Adjusting the reality level will flatten out the climb, and you will end up going faster as though you were on a flatter route, even though it will still be steep. However, remember that your ride will not count for the challenge due to this reduced reality level.

Prepare sufficient nutrition and fluid for the journey and do a good warm-up of about 25 minutes. Since no GPS map for directions is needed, grab a towel, switch on your fans, fire up ROUVY, jump on your trainer, and give it your all to reach the summit while absorbing the beauty and history that make these routes from the Haute Route so legendary.

The Haute Route Alps are calling! Are you ready to climb?