France, Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, France
The spine of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a relentless climb to one of driving's holiest summits.
Length
18.1 km
In miles
11.2 mi
Driving time
34 min
Atlas rating
9.6 / 10
The run
Valloire to Col du Lautaret, following the D902. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Closed roughly October to May with snow at the summit
Nearby
3 km away
Col du Lautaret
A broad glacier flanked highway linking the Romanche and Guisane valleys beneath the Meije massif.
25 km away
Col de la Croix de Fer
Turquoise lakes and jagged aiguilles frame this classic crossing of the Grandes Alpes.
28 km away
Alpe d'Huez
Twenty one numbered switchbacks, each hairpin named for a Tour de France stage winner.
37 km away
Col d'Izoard
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
40 km away
Col de la Madeleine
A punishing Tour de France staple threading pine forest to a panorama of the Vanoise peaks.
52 km away
Colle delle Finestre
A gravel topped final stretch of tight hairpins made famous by the Giro d'Italia.
Longer journeys