This is the first climb and descent that is used in La Marmotte sportive every July and after the first 10 kms out of Bourg d’Oisans climbs steadily for 10 km to Rivier d’Allemont before losing most of the height that you have gained with a sharp steep switchback descent. The relief is short lived though as you start the epic climb (and the steepest part) up to the largest dam in Europe, La Grande Maison. Once at the top of the dam you can see the road climb up through the valley to the Col du Glandon. Depending on the tour that you are on we will take the massive 20 km decent down a narrow and twisty road to the base of the Col de la Madeleine or we will return the same way back to Bourg d’Oisans

The Col du Glandon was openend in 1898 and was firsts used in the Tour de France in 1947 since then it has been used multiple times

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From Bourg d’Oisans – south – [Average gradient: 4.8% – Maximum gradient : 11.2% – Distance 25.0km – Height gain 1152m]