France’s mountainous terrain is full of legendary mountain passes and climbs, many of which became famous because the Tour de France peloton rode through them. Check out part 3.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast or an athlete looking for a mountain pass to conquer on roller skis, you’ll probably be interested in the second part of our list of France’s most legendary mountain passes.

If you plan to climb these passes on roller skis, make sure you have a way to get back down, as the descents may be too steep to tackle on roller skis.

Col de l’Izoard (2362m): The impressive rocky landscapes

Located in the Queyras Mountains, this mountain pass is well known to cyclists: it is frequently the site of a stage of the Tour de France, and sometimes even of the Giro d’Italia.

This pass can be climbed from two sides: from the town of Briançon, which is the easier route, and from Guillestre, the more difficult—and, above all, the most legendary—route.

From the town of Briançon, with its historic fortifications, the climb is longer but less steep: the 19.1 kilometers, with an average gradient of 6%, already offer you beautiful, wild, and rocky scenery. After 3 kilometers of climbing, you’ll descend slightly before encountering gradients between 5% and 8%. The final 5 kilometers are the most challenging: they include sections with an 8% gradient and one stretch at 9.2% before reaching the Napoléon refuge and covering the last kilometer on a gentler slope.

On the south side, via the village of Guillestre, the climb is shorter but more difficult. This climb is 15.9 km long with an average gradient of 6.9%. The first 6 kilometers of the climb are the easiest, leading up to the hamlet of Brunissard, where the slopes become very difficult. Between Brunissard and La Casse Déserte, some sections have gradients approaching 11%, all set in a beautiful coniferous forest. This is followed by a gentle descent before tackling the final kilometers, which are often exposed to the wind because the entire landscape is devoid of vegetation—nothing but rock.

Also Read: France’s must-see mountain passes – part 1

Col de la Croix de Fer (2067m): misleading figures

Located between the Romanche Valley and the Maurienne Valley, this long mountain pass involves a climb of 1,500 to 1,600 meters in elevation gain, depending on which side you take.

On the Romanche Valley side, the climb begins in the village of Allemond. On this side, the pass is 28.8 km long with an average gradient of 6.5%. This relatively low gradient is due to a few short descents along the way, but there is a section about 100 meters long with a 12% gradient on this pass. From the first to the tenth kilometer, the gradient gradually increases from 0.5% to 9.5%. You’ll then reach a slight flat section that’s two kilometers long before entering a very steep descent that lasts one kilometer. This is where you’ll encounter the climb with the steepest sections of the pass. You’ll then climb up to the Grand-Maison Dam before descending slightly to recover for the final 4 kilometers, which are slightly easier and offer breathtaking views of Grand-Maison Lake.

On the other side, from the Maurienne Valley, the climb begins in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. On this side, you’ll face a 29-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 6.5%. After completing the first 4 kilometers of the climb, you’ll get a brief chance to recover on a gentle 2.4-kilometer descent. Make the most of this breather, because the next 5 km have an average gradient of 9%! You’ll then encounter another short descent of just over a kilometer before resuming your climb to the village of Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves. As you leave the village, you’ll face a series of switchbacks over the final 7 kilometers—a steady, challenging climb, but with magnificent views.

Read More: France’s must-see mountain passes – part 2

Cime de la Bonnette (2802m): the highest mountain pass in France

It’s not the most challenging mountain pass we’ve featured so far, but it’s legendary because it’s the highest paved road in Europe. Located in the Mercantour mountain range, this climb is not actually a true pass: the road actually circles around the Cime de la Bonnette from the real pass, which is located 1 km below.

The north face is the most challenging: starting from the village of Jausiers in the Ubaye Valley, this climb is 23 km long, with an average gradient of 6.8%. The first two kilometers have a gradient of less than 6%, but between the 3rd and 14th kilometers, the gradient remains steady, ranging from 7% to 8%. Once you’ve climbed above 2,000 meters in elevation, a 1-kilometer stretch with an average gradient of over 9% will take you to the Col de la Bonnette. From that point on, keep your eyes peeled—the scenery is breathtaking. But don’t get too excited just yet, because the final kilometer to the summit of the Cime de la Bonnette features very steep gradients.

The south side is a little longer than the route from the other side. The climb begins in Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée, covering 24.5 km with an average gradient of 6.3%. The first four kilometers are fairly easy, but after that, it gets tougher. The uneven gradient forces you to change your pace frequently, whether you’re on a bike or roller skis. However, the magnificent scenery might make you forget just how challenging the climb is. On the other side, the final kilometers of the climb are the toughest: the road leading to the summit includes a section with a gradient of over 19%!

Now that we’ve introduced all these mountain passes, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to your next destination!

Also Read – CYCLING TRAINING: Climbing power repeats – forging the raw strength your skiing demands

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