Col du Galibier 2,642m France ★★★★
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Ridden...
2011, 2015
Description...
Ridden twice by Passport Tours and both times from Col du Lautret to Valloires on the D902.
Another truly awesome Route Des Grandes Alpes pass in the same mould as Cols d’Izoard and de l’Iseran. Very fast sweepers at the valley floor, then onto fast contour risers interspersed with tight-ish hairpins but all enabling good speed both up from Briançon and down to Valloires. Not especially wide and no space for central white lines. Like Col de L'Iseran, right at the top, the road tightens and on Galibiere the road is narrow and perched right on the side of the mountain, no space at all for error, no fence and a sheer drop all around. Not good for meeting large vehicles coming the other way! Very barren and rocky, stunning scenery. A new sign in 2015 (identical design to Col de l’Iseran and Cormet de Roseland) at the top, very impressive and even more stunning views.
Heading down the other side towards Valloires, (5 degrees C and very misty in 2015!), initially the road is very narrow, gravely and with tight blind corners just like the ascent from Lautaret. Shortly after setting off from the summit the road is set out down the side of the valley and looks just like a go kart race track snaking down the mountain, resplendent with think white hazard lines at both edges of the road. The road is tight with s bends that don’t open out until further down the valley and in 2015 not especially well surfaced. Faster, straighter, better surfaced and longer contour risers further down. A tight technical pass.
2011, 2015
Description...
Ridden twice by Passport Tours and both times from Col du Lautret to Valloires on the D902.
Another truly awesome Route Des Grandes Alpes pass in the same mould as Cols d’Izoard and de l’Iseran. Very fast sweepers at the valley floor, then onto fast contour risers interspersed with tight-ish hairpins but all enabling good speed both up from Briançon and down to Valloires. Not especially wide and no space for central white lines. Like Col de L'Iseran, right at the top, the road tightens and on Galibiere the road is narrow and perched right on the side of the mountain, no space at all for error, no fence and a sheer drop all around. Not good for meeting large vehicles coming the other way! Very barren and rocky, stunning scenery. A new sign in 2015 (identical design to Col de l’Iseran and Cormet de Roseland) at the top, very impressive and even more stunning views.
Heading down the other side towards Valloires, (5 degrees C and very misty in 2015!), initially the road is very narrow, gravely and with tight blind corners just like the ascent from Lautaret. Shortly after setting off from the summit the road is set out down the side of the valley and looks just like a go kart race track snaking down the mountain, resplendent with think white hazard lines at both edges of the road. The road is tight with s bends that don’t open out until further down the valley and in 2015 not especially well surfaced. Faster, straighter, better surfaced and longer contour risers further down. A tight technical pass.
