Cyclingtrippers
Télégraphe and Galibier Day
French Alps

Télégraphe and Galibier Day

A classic high mountain ride linking Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier. This is one of the great Alpine sequences, and it deserves a full day’s respect.

Distance
70 to 105 km
Elevation Gain
2,100 to 3,000 m
Ride Time
5 to 8 hours
Difficulty
Hors Catégorie
Surface
Road
Start
Saint Michel de Maurienne or Valloire
Best Season
June to September

Télégraphe and Galibier belong together. From Saint Michel de Maurienne, the Télégraphe is already a real climb. After the short reset towards Valloire, Galibier takes the day into high Alpine territory.

This route is not about clever complexity. It is about scale. The first climb softens the legs, the second gives the ride its altitude and drama. If you want a route that feels like the Tour de France without needing to explain why, this is one of the clearest options in the Alps.

How to Build This Ride

  • Start in Saint Michel de Maurienne for the full classic sequence.
  • Climb Col du Télégraphe.
  • Use Valloire as a reset point.
  • Climb Col du Galibier from Valloire.
  • Decide whether to descend the same way or build a larger loop.

Villages & Coffee Stops

  • Saint Michel de Maurienne is the classic start. Valloire is the key stop between the climbs. Do not skip the chance to refill there, because Galibier becomes a very different climb if you start it underfed.

Make it shorter

Start in Valloire and ride Galibier only. You miss the full sequence, but it makes the day much more manageable.

Make it harder

Start lower in the valley and add extra kilometres before Télégraphe, or continue beyond Galibier if conditions and legs allow it.

Local Notes

Galibier weather can change quickly. Bring warm clothing even if the valley feels hot. The descent is long, exposed and not the place to discover that you packed too lightly.

This is a flexible ride idea, not a turn-by-turn route. Use the climbs, villages and notes above to build your own GPX in Komoot, Strava, Ride with GPS or another planner before you ride.

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