Sitting at the base of the Col du Galibier and used every year in the La Marmotte Sportive the Col du Télégraphe climbs up through a shaded wooded area from its base at 300 metres above sea level. Never steep and with a super smooth road service this is one of the nicest climbs in the area

Description

This is another climb rising up to about the same height as Alpe d’Huez, switching back through a wooded mountainside with spectacular views back over the Maurienne valley and beyond. This is the second climb used in La Marmotte cycling sportive in July and has been used regularly in the Tour de France.

With gradients reaching nearly 10% its not an easy climb but somehow the scenery takes your mind off that and the thought of what is coming up next! Once at the top we descend a little way to Valloire and the start of the mighty Col du Galibier.

Profile

[Average gradient: 7.3% – Maximum gradient : 9.8% – Distance 11.8km – Height gain 856m]