The Col de L'Iseran is an HC climb located in the French Alps. The Col de L'Iseran is the highest paved pass in the French Alps located in the Graian Alps in the Savoie department. The south side starts from Bonneval-Sur-Arc while the North side begins in ski resort of Val-d'Isère which is also close to the ski resort Tignes.
The climb has an average gradient of 7.5% for the 12km of distance. There are many sections which are 8% and 9% but there are also high gradient sections at 9.3%, 9.3% and 10.2%, in the second last kilometre. For a greater challenge start from further down beyond around Lanslebourg Mont Cenis or if you are really keen, even further down at Forneaux.
The Col de L'Iseran has been used 8 times in the Tour de France, first in 1938 then in 1939, 1949, 1959, 1963, 1992, 2007 and 2019.
The Col de L'Iseran was Souvenir Henri Degrange (Highest point) in the 2019 Tour de France. The Col de L'Iseran was supposed to be the penultimate climb on Stage 19 but the stage was neutralised at the summit of the Col de L'Iseran due to freak snow/hail storms in Val D'Isere. Egan Bernal attacked on the Col de L'Iseran and gained the time that ended up winning the Tour.
Country: FRANCE
Mountain range location: French Alpes
Distance: 12.9km
Elev Gain:950m
Avg Grade: 7.5%
Max Grade: 12.5%
Climb cat: HC
Min Elevation: 1820m
Max Elevation: 2770m
Suggested Airport: Turin
Suggested Train Station: Gare de Briancon
