Head to head
The two great Tour de France passes. Which drives better?
Our pick is the Col d'Izoard.
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Verdicts weigh road quality, scenery, traffic and how likely you are to actually enjoy the drive on the day. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 25 June 2026
The numbers
| Measure | Col du Galibier | Col d'Izoard |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers Atlas rating | 9.6 | 9.5 |
| Driving score | 9.5 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 |
| Scenery score | 9.7 / 10 | 9.6 / 10 |
| Length | 18.1 km | 33 km |
| Where | Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, France | Hautes-Alpes, France |
| Season | Closed roughly October to May with snow at the summit | Closed roughly November to April |
Verdict
The Izoard's Casse Deserte is one of the strangest and best pieces of road in the Alps, and the traffic thins out far more than on the Galibier.
The Galibier is higher, more famous and connects better into the Grandes Alpes route. On a long tour it is the more natural choice.
The roads
Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, France
The spine of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a relentless climb to one of driving's holiest summits.
11.2 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · 34 min
Hautes-Alpes, France
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
20.5 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · 1 hr 2 min
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