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Two-sided climbs

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The mountain road at Col d’Izoard in the French Alps
Col d’Izoard. Compare the Briançon and Château-Ville-Vieille approaches to the same pass.

The same summit can be a very different ride from the other side. Compare eight approaches in four pairs: Stelvio from Prato and Bormio, Izoard from Briançon and Château-Ville-Vieille, Ventoux from Bédoin and Malaucène, and Furka from Realp and Gletsch.

Compare the climbs

8 selected routes, from 10.2 km to 24.6 km, with 667 m to 1,886 m of elevation gain.

Scenery and traffic highlights are based on published ratings.

Climb and approachDistanceElevation gainAverage gradient
Passo dello Stelvio from Prato allo Stelvio24.6 km1,886 m7.4%
Passo dello Stelvio from Bormio21.1 km1,553 m7.4%
Col d'Izoard from Briançon19.2 km1,173 m6.0%
Col d'Izoard from Château-Ville-Vieille14.1 km1,034 m7.1%
Mont Ventoux from Bedoin20.7 km1,592 m7.7%
Mont Ventoux from Malaucène20.9 km1,575 m7.5%
Furkapass from Realp12.2 km891 m7.3%
Furkapass from Gletsch10.2 km667 m6.5%

Compare in pairs

The table keeps the two approaches to each summit together. Read both profiles: their starts, total ascent and gradient distribution differ. Izoard’s Casse Déserte lies on the southern Château-Ville-Vieille side; it is not part of the Briançon ascent.

A pair is not a ready-made loop

Two summit approaches do not automatically make a practical day ride. A loop needs connecting valley roads, descent distance and enough time. The listed distances describe climbs only, not complete routes between Prato and Bormio, or between the two Ventoux villages.

Furka’s upper approaches

Here, Realp and Gletsch are the starts of the upper pass approaches. The longer Furka profile from Amsteg belongs to the 1,500 m+ collection; choosing that lower start changes the comparison substantially.

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

Mont Ventoux summit above its pale limestone slopes

Ventoux climbs

4 climbs · Two sides of Ventoux, the Nesque gorge and a climb from Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt.

The road at Col d’Izoard surrounded by high Alpine slopes

Briançon climbs

6 climbs · Both sides of Izoard, steep Granon and high passes above the Queyras.

The volcanic landscape of the Teide area on Tenerife

1,500 m+ climbs

4 climbs · At least 1,500 m of elevation gain in each selected profile.