← All climbs

Savoie / Hautes-Alpes

Col du Galibier

The roof of the Tour in most editions it appears. Henri Desgrange's monument sits near the summit, and above 2,400 m the thin air turns any attack into a survival test.

Summit

2,642 m

Length

18.1 km (from Valloire)

Average

6.9%

Maximum

12.1%

Category

Hors catégorie

First used

1911

Appearances

Over 60 crossings

2026 Tour: Crossed on the Alpine stages as the roof of the 113th edition.

Fastest ever

The benchmark

Marco Pantani's 1998 passage

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

History

Famous moments

  1. 1911

    Émile Georget is the only rider to ride the whole climb without walking.

  2. 2011

    Andy Schleck attacks 60 km out and wins at the summit — the highest ever Tour finish.

  3. 2024

    Pogačar takes the stage over the Galibier on the way to Valloire.

Ride it yourself

Notes for cyclists

  • Approach via the Télégraphe from Valloire for the full historical version.
  • The final 2 km after the tunnel are the steepest.
  • Descend carefully: the Lautaret side is fast and open.

Next

Another giant