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Hautes-Alpes

Col d'Izoard

The Casse Déserte — a moonscape of shattered rock spires near the top — is the most photographed stretch of road in the Alps. Memorials to Coppi and Bobet sit beside it.

Summit

2,360 m

Length

14.1 km (from Guillestre side)

Average

7.3%

Maximum

10%

Category

Hors catégorie

First used

1922

Appearances

35+ crossings

Fastest ever

The benchmark

Warren Barguil's 2017 summit finish

Reference ascent — timings vary with the exact start point, weather and race situation.

History

Famous moments

  1. 1949

    Coppi and Bartali ride over together in the era-defining Italian duel.

  2. 1953

    Louison Bobet solos through the Casse Déserte to seal his first Tour.

  3. 2017

    Warren Barguil wins on Bastille Day weekend and takes polka dots.

Ride it yourself

Notes for cyclists

  • The Casse Déserte comes 3 km from the top — save something for the photos.
  • Briançon side is the historic descent into the finish town.

Next

Another giant