CyclistClassic climb: Col du Galibier, a different take on a Tour de France legendThere are only a handful of cycling destinations where youre likely to find yourself pedalling past five metre walls of snow in mid-July. The Col du Galibier is one of them. Topping out at 2,642m, this Tour de France mainstay is one of the loftiest points the race ever reaches, and one of the highest paved roads in all of Europe.Surrounded by soaring snow-capped peaks, the Galibiers butter-smooth tarmac has served as the stage for some of professional cyclings most high-octane racing action. The cols first inclusion was in 1911, when only three riders made it to the summit without walking. Since then it has featured a further 64 times, making it the fifth most visited climb in Tour de France history. Related Posts Gravel Big Ride: Ghost of the Galibier Classic climb: Col du Galibier, a Tour de France classic with a grandeur to suit its status Classic climb: Alpe dHuez, the most famous climb in pro cycling? In the 1998 edition, Italian powerhouse Marco Pantani battled through biblical weather to catch stage leader Jan Ullrich from three minutes back, dropping him on the north face of the mountain. By the time he crossed the line, he had taken back 11 minutes from Ullrich on a solo onslaught that won him the stage and ultimately the Tour.Heading out of Brianon towards an immediate 7% kicker.Joe McGorty / CyclistMore recently, 2024 Tour victor Tadej Pogaar sealed his first stage win of this years race on the Galibier, approaching the climb from Brianon and attacking 900m from the summit to leave a burnt-out Jonas Vingegaard fighting for breath on the final few ramps. As if that wasnt enough, he rode the final 8.6km section from the Col de Lautaret in a time of 20min 48sec, smashing Nairo Quintanas five-year-old record by more than a minute and a half in the process. Its this approach to the Galibier that we are focussing on here.Once past Le Montier-les-Bains you will notice a lot less traffic.Joe McGorty / CyclistPass notesThe route from the south isnt the most popular of the three up to the Galibiers summit that honour goes to the classic north side via Col du Tlgraphe but it still has a lot to offer. Its by far the most accessible way to approach the Galibier, with views to rival any other Alpine ascent.Looking down at Jardin du Lautaret, the point at which the main road joins the Galibier.Joe McGorty / CyclistFrom Brianon, the climb follows the main road up to the Col du Lautaret before branching off right and snaking up the Galibiers south side. The climb is approximately 35km in total with an average gradient of 4%. It may not sound like a lot, but thats because the bulk of the elevation is condensed into the final quarter.Straight out of Brianon the ride starts with a 7% kicker. Its followed by 15 fast kilometres along the D1091, the main road that connects Brianon with Bourg dOisans at the foot of Alpe dHuez. The gradient ramps up as you pass through Le Montier-les-Bains, culminating in a crescendo of 10% ramps and switchbacks for the final 8.5km.Joe McGorty / CyclistAnother option is to tackle the south side of the Galibier starting in Le Clapier. This is the longer and more arduous of the two south-side routes, and youll have to contend with a number of dimly lit and often wet-floored tunnels, complete with fast-moving traffic and narrow roads. Not exactly a winning recipe for a low-stress day in the saddle.Brianon, by contrast, is an excellent place to start a ride. Its a picturesque town with plenty of spots to grab a pastry and a coffee which is wise if you want to tackle the immediate hill out of town with all cylinders firing.Joe McGorty / CyclistStart high, ride higherIts ironic that you should have to climb out of Brianon given that its the highest town in the European Union. At 1,326m, it sits at the meeting point of the Durance and Guisanne rivers and has historically been an important hub for trade through the mountains.Riding up the Galibier just after the turn-off for the tunnel.Joe McGorty / CyclistPredictably, the roads can get busy, so in order to make the ride out of town as pleasant as possible, the best time to leave is as early as you can stomach. After tackling the ramp and negotiating a number of roundabouts, the long stretch of main road that follows is not terrible, but its not particularly riveting riding either. Its long, straight, almost flat, and it can get busy with fast-moving traffic. Thankfully its also rather wide, which takes the edge off a bit.The entrance to the tunnel, which was formerly the highest point of the road.Joe McGorty / CyclistThe road passes through a number of small ski towns, all part of the larger Serre Chevalier resort, which encompasses the villages of Chantemerle in Saint-Chaffrey, Villeneuve in La Salle-les-Alpes, Le Montier-les-Bains and Brianon itself. As you pass through them one by one, the cars and motorhomes get fewer and farther between, and the high mountains on the horizon begin to come into sharper focus, providing a timely reminder of what lies in wait.The view over the Galibier, with the tunnel entrance in the bottom right corner.Joe McGorty / CyclistLe Montier-les-Bains is the last stop before you reach the steeper final section, so its a good chance to refill empty bidons on a hot and thirsty day. This mountain commune has become a hotspot for mountaineers and climbers, acting as a gateway to the surrounding peaks and offering some of the best bouldering in the area. Its a fitting place for the routes first real climbing to begin.The big finishOut of Le Montier-les-Bains the road steepens. Trees, buildings and carefully stacked log piles are left behind to reveal a landscape of rolling green hills, jagged rock faces and sky-piercing peaks, thinly veiled by wisps of white cloud.One final push to the summit and the chance to breathe in the crisp mountain air.Joe McGorty / CyclistThis is your view for the next 10km. Its a steady ascent until the road curves round to the left, taking you through a tunnel and onto the final few bends up to the top of the Lautaret. Here youll find an assortment of cafes and restaurants offering standard Alpine grub with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.The route leaves the main road at the top of the Lautaret, peeling off to the right and almost immediately increasing in gradient from 4% to around 7%. The narrow tarmac strip hugs the mountainside, following each corner closely as it makes its way up towards the snow.Joe McGorty / CyclistUnfortunately, its not entirely traffic-free. Youll be sharing the road with a smattering of cars, motorhomes and unfeasibly large black motorcycles straddled by people youd probably be wise not to get into a bar brawl with. However, this can be avoided if you plan your trip to coincide with the Cols Rservs, which is an annual event that sees key mountain passes closed to all but cyclists on some mornings.From here, its a mixture of tight hairpin bends and slow sweeping curves as the road winds its way higher still, passing the famous Tunnel du Galibier, which until 1976 was the highest paved point and the only way to reach the other side of the mountain without using ice axes and crampons.Joe McGorty / CyclistOn the approach to the top, the gradient increases to 11% in places, with the switchbacks now coming in quick succession. Even during the summer, parts of the road are flanked by greying walls of melting snow, leaving some stretches of tarmac perpetually wet. It doesnt make for great traction in the corners as you rise out of the saddle to climb, but its a sure sign that the summit is within reach.A final push and you crest the top of the Galibier to be greeted by a sea of fellow puffed-out cyclists and annoyingly spritely leather-clad bikers. All thats left to do now is breathe in a lungful of that well-earned, albeit thin mountain air, and join the back of the queue for the obligatory summit-sign photo. This article originally appeared in issue 157 of Cyclist magazine. Click here to subscribe Related Posts Gravel Big Ride: Ghost of the Galibier Classic climb: Col du Galibier, a Tour de France classic with a grandeur to suit its status Classic climb: Alpe dHuez, the most famous climb in pro cycling? The post Classic climb: Col du Galibier, a different take on a Tour de France legend appeared first on Cyclist.