650 kilometres lie between Nice on the Mediterranean and Montreux on Lake Geneva. Of this distance, the route from Enduro biker Jérôme Clementz 190 kilometres by mountain bike. On the descents of all seven passes, you rush down a total of 12660 metres into the valley. Despite using the shuttle and lifts, the Western Alps crossing also involves a total of 3320 metres of climbing. A video with all the pass descents can be found here:
These 7 Tour de France passes are included:
- Cold'Allos
- Col de Vars
- Col d'Izoard
- Col du Galibier
- Col de L'Iseran
- Little St Bernard
- Great St Bernard
The brief profiles of the seven Tour de France passes can be found on the following pages.
You can read the full report on Jérôme Clementz's crossing of the Western Alps with tour profiles of the seven passes in BIKE 5/2018 - on newsstands from 3 April.
1st Col d'Allos - 11 km, 1091 metres, 120 m elevation gain
The 2247 metre high pass in the Maritime Alps is the starting ramp for the Tribe 10000 enduro race and the transition to the Ubaye Valley. We took the trail towards Barcelonnette through the canyon. Unfortunately, the trail here is very dilapidated and you often have to push the bike. It's better to take the Tribe 10000 descent towards Foux d'Allos. This is much easier to ride.
difficult 5 out of 6 points
2nd Col de Vars - 14 km, 1226 metres, 400 m elevation gain
The downhill trail from the Col de Vars (2109 m) leads through magical landscapes and is extremely varied from the pass to Guillestre. Lonely and open at the top, with a view of a glacial valley. We even come across a herd of chamois. Then rocky steps increase the technical difficulty. At the end, the path bores its way through a narrow, somewhat rough river valley.
heavy
4 out of 5 points
3rd Col d'Izoard - 11.6 km, 900 metres, 315 m elevation gain
Road cyclists love the 2360 metre high Tour de France Pass. If only because of its southern side with the Casse Déserte. The trail through these gigantic scree slopes is a rodeo ride. The north side is completely different: here the trail winds its way through alpine meadows and after a 15-minute uphill section, it takes you to Briancon on a forest path with steps and roots. Exposed!
difficult 5 out of 6 points
4th Col du Galibier - 33.3 km 2880 tm 500 hm
The 2642 metre high Tour de France Pass marks the transition to the Savoy Alps. The start is bumpy, but eases up to Valloire. Here the lift takes you to the next trail entrance. At the top, the trail clings to the rock in a very exposed manner, but then curves around a few trees in a very flowing manner before it gets steeper in the forest. At the end, you roll out in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne.
heavy
4 out of 5 points
5th Col de L'Iseran - 4.8 km 715 tm
The 2764 metre high Col de l'Iseran is the highest pass in the Alps accessible by car. Its trail down to Val d'Isère is winding and rocky, but without any climbs. This leaves time for a second super trail: from the car park at the Grande Sassière with spectacular views on an exposed trail down to Tignes Villaret (7.55 km / 820 m / 166 m elevation gain).
heavy
4 out of 5 points
6th Little St. Bernard - 7.8 km 1061 m 65 m ascent
The trail does not start directly on the Kleiner St. Bernard, but on its secondary summit, which can be reached by lift. With a view of Mont Blanc and a gigantic glacier tongue, you head straight into an Enduro World Series descent: steep, steeper and blocked - you need very good riding technique. You can only switch to easier trails in the La Thuile bike park.
difficult 5 out of 6 points
7th Great St. Bernard - 25 km 1900 metres 430 m elevation gain
The grand finale between Italy and Switzerland: the trail entrance awaits on the Aosta Valley side. There you have to push your bike uphill for an hour. But then it's an open landscape with views of the Grandes
Jorasses. The path is rocky, but never too difficult. Watch out hikers! In Fouly, it's worth taking a break at the hut, then it's a nice cruise to Orsières.
heavy
4 out of 5 points
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 5/2018 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
