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Briançon climbs

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The road at Col d’Izoard surrounded by high Alpine slopes
Col d’Izoard, shared by the Briançon and Queyras approaches.

Start with Briançon for Izoard and Lautaret, then compare Granon and the passes farther south in the Queyras. Six profiles separate the northern and southern Izoard approaches from Agnel and Vars, helping you choose an area before choosing accommodation.

Compare the climbs

6 selected routes, from 11.3 km to 26.2 km, with 799 m to 1,368 m of elevation gain.

Scenery and traffic highlights are based on published ratings.

Climb and approachDistanceElevation gainAverage gradient
Col d'Izoard from Briançon19.2 km1,173 m6.0%
Col d'Izoard from Château-Ville-Vieille14.1 km1,034 m7.1%
Col du Granon11.3 km1,034 m9.2%
Col du Lautaret from Briançon26.2 km799 m3.0%
Col Agnel from Château-Ville-Vieille20.6 km1,368 m6.6%
Col de Vars from Guillestre18.8 km1,114 m5.7%

Briançon and the Guisane valley

Izoard and Lautaret use their Briançon approaches. Granon is a separate summit-road climb above the Guisane valley, rather than a continuation of Izoard. Compare its steeper profile with the longer Lautaret road, and include the valley connection to its actual start.

The southern side needs its own plan

Izoard from Château-Ville-Vieille climbs through the Queyras side, including the Casse Déserte. Agnel also starts in Château-Ville-Vieille; Vars starts in Guillestre. They do not all begin beside a Briançon hotel. Crossing Izoard to reach another climb and returning adds substantial riding beyond the selected profile.

Average gradient describes the recorded route as a whole. Open a climb to see its elevation profile and how the gradient changes along the road.

Further reading

Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome climbing Alpe d’Huez at the 2018 Tour de France

Tour de France climbs

11 climbs · Alpine and Pyrenean classics, Ventoux and two contrasting Vosges climbs.

The Col des Aravis road below limestone mountain walls

Aravis climbs

5 climbs · Compare Aravis, Colombière and Croix Fry, with a separate Reposoir-side Romme ascent.