Col du Galibier
From Valloire · 18.1 km · 6.9 % average
Photo: Photo: Agence Rol (via Gallica / BnF) · Public domain
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- Start
- Valloire
- Summit
- 2,642 m
- Distance
- 18.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,245 m
- Average gradient
- 6.9 %
- Maximum gradient
- Not reliably sourced
- Difficulty
- Extreme (FIETS 10.2)
The climb at a glance
Schematic A straight line at the average gradient – the real road is steeper in places and easier in others.
- From Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, including the Col du Télégraphe: 34.8 km, 2,120 m at 6.1 % (Wikipedia).
In the footsteps of the pros
- Tour de France: first used in 1911; Emile Georget was first over the summit (Wikipedia).
- 2011: first-ever summit finish, won by Andy Schleck after a 60 km solo breakaway (Wikipedia).
How long might it take?
| Sustained power | ≈ Time |
|---|---|
| 2.5 W/kg | 1 h 44 |
| 3.5 W/kg | 1 h 16 |
| 4.5 W/kg | 1 h 01 |
Estimate Physics model at constant power on a constant 6.9 % gradient: rider 75 kg, bike and kit 9 kg, rolling resistance 0.005, CdA 0.4 m², air density 1.1 kg/m³, 3 % drivetrain loss; W/kg relative to rider weight; no wind, no stops. Real times vary – this is not a standard.
Best season
High-mountain road: typically a summer and early-autumn climb – check pass opening before you travel.
Weather & altitude
Summit at 2,642 m: expect it to be much colder than in the valley – roughly 6–7 °C per 1,000 m in typical conditions.
Surface & traffic
[PLACEHOLDER] Road surface, traffic and tunnels – to verify
Water & food
[PLACEHOLDER] Fountains, cafés and the last shop before the top – to verify
Descent
[PLACEHOLDER] Descent notes – surface, hairpins, cold. Always pack a layer.
Nearby climbs
- Alpe d'Huez ≈ 27 km away (straight line)
- Col de la Madeleine ≈ 41 km away (straight line)
- Mont Ventoux ≈ 133 km away (straight line)
Sources & verification
Data Figures copied from the sources listed, retrieved 14 Nov 2026. Published numbers differ with the exact start and finish – we show one sourced version. Exact start point and date of on-the-road verification: [PLACEHOLDER] to record.