Where is Col du Glandon?
France, europe
46.4 km
1,930 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Col du Glandon! This beast of a mountain pass sits pretty high up in the French Alps, in the Savoie department, clocking in at a cool 1,930m (6,332ft). You'll find it in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
This is no Sunday drive, folks; it's known as one of the toughest climbs around. The road, D927, is paved and stretches for 46.4 km (28.83 miles) from Barrage du Verney to La Chambre. Cyclists, take note: this is the first climb and descent in La Marmotte sportive every July.
Heads up though, this beauty is usually closed from early November to mid-May thanks to the alpine weather. But when it's open, you're in for a treat! Expect varied slopes, some seriously steep sections hitting a maximum gradient of 15.5%, and incredible views from the summit. There's even a parking lot and a bar-restaurant up top! The last 7 kilometers are the toughest, and the last two kilometers are over 10 percent with stretches of 12 percent. Starting from Barrage du Verney, the elevation gain is 1.152 meters over 24.12 km. And if you're coming from La Chambre, prepare for a 1.472-meter climb over 21.3 km.
Built in 1898, Col du Glandon first appeared in the Tour de France in 1947 and has been a regular ever since. In summer, expect a decent amount of traffic, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 46.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,930 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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