Col du Glandon

Col du Glandon is a high mountain pass in the Dauphiné Alps of southeastern France, situated in the Rhône-Alpes region. It connects the Maurienne valley, near La Chambre, with the Romanche valley, serving as a key link between the departments of Savoie and Isère. The pass is renowned for its challenging ascent and is a celebrated climb in professional cycling, notably featured in the Tour de France.

Geography and location

The pass is located within the Belledonne massif, forming part of the mountainous spine separating the Arc and Romanche river valleys. It lies to the north of the nearby Col de la Croix de Fer, with which it is often paired in cycling routes. The summit area is characterized by alpine meadows and rocky outcrops, offering expansive views toward peaks like the Grande Casse and the Écrins National Park. The surrounding communes include Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines on the northern approach and Le Bourg-d'Oisans to the south, with the pass itself administered within the territory of Saint-Colomban-des-Villards.

History

Historically, the pass served as a pastoral and trade route for communities in the Maurienne and Oisans regions. Its development for modern vehicular traffic was part of broader efforts to improve alpine infrastructure in the early 20th century, paralleling projects like the construction of the Galibier pass road. The area witnessed military movements during conflicts such as the Savoyard conflicts and saw strategic importance during World War II, with the French Resistance active in the surrounding valleys. The formal paving and improvement of the road were completed in the decades following the war, facilitating its use for tourism and sport.

Cycling

Col du Glandon is a legendary climb in professional road cycling, frequently included in the Tour de France. It was first used by the race in 1947 and has since been a stage feature over a dozen times, often acting as a springboard for attacks in the Alps. The ascent is categorized as Hors Catégorie due to its length and gradient, testing champions from Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet to modern riders like Chris Froome and Tadej Pogačar. It regularly appears in other major events such as the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de l'Avenir, and is a staple challenge for amateur cyclists attempting famous routes like the Marmotte Granfondo Alps.

Road characteristics

The climb to the summit is notably long and demanding, with the classic approach from La Chambre spanning approximately 21.5 kilometers at an average gradient of 7.1%. The road, designated the D926, features numerous hairpin turns and sections exceeding 10% gradient, particularly on the northern side. The southern descent toward Le Bourg-d'Oisans is steep and technical, joining the road to the Col de la Croix de Fer near the Lac du Verney reservoir. The pass is generally open from late spring to early autumn, subject to closures due to snowfall from the French meteorological services.

In popular culture

The dramatic landscape of the pass has been featured in several cycling documentaries and films, including segments of the Wimbledon production The Greatest Climb. It appears in video games such as the Zwift virtual cycling platform and the Microsoft Studios title Forza Horizon 4 in its Fortune Island expansion. The climb is also referenced in literature on the Tour de France, notably in works by authors like William Fotheringham and in the photographic collections of Graham Watson.

Category:Mountains of Savoie Category:Mountains of Isère Category:Tour de France climbs Category:Alpine passes