French Alps, France · from Valloire
Col du Galibier
Tour de France 2026 · Stage 20 →The Galibier from Valloire climbs through open alpine terrain to one of the highest passes regularly used by the Tour de France. Most riders tackle it directly after the Col du Télégraphe, which makes the steep final kilometres above 2,400 metres especially demanding.
Summit elevation: 2642 m
Route sketch
Col du Galibier · from Valloire
Schematic road geometry from OpenStreetMap routing; use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
How fast would you climb Col du Galibier?
Enter your power and weight. A physics engine calculates your estimated time against the gradient profile.
Predict your
performance.
See how power and weight affect your time on a real climb.
*Demo simulation uses standard road bike physics (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004).
Col du Galibier and the Tour
The Tour first crossed the Galibier in 1911, when Emile Georget was the only rider to climb it without walking. A monument to Henri Desgrange, the Tour's founder, stands near the summit, and the highest point of each Tour route carries the Souvenir Henri Desgrange prize in his honour — very often contested here.
In 2011 the Galibier hosted the highest stage finish in Tour history at 2,645 m, won by Andy Schleck after a 60 km solo attack. In 2026 it is the roof of the Tour again: stage 20 crosses it at 2,631 m between the Télégraphe and the descent towards the Col de Sarenne and Alpe d'Huez.
Won the Galibier summit finish after attacking from roughly 60 km out on stage 18 of the 2011 Tour.
Riding it yourself
When to go
The pass usually opens in early June and closes with the first serious snowfall in October; check the col status in early season. Even in August the summit can be near freezing in bad weather — carry layers for the descent, whichever side you ride.
Base & logistics
Valloire (this side) and Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne below the Télégraphe are the usual bases; on the south side, Briançon. There is no water between Plan Lachat and the summit. The classic full ride is Télégraphe + Galibier in one effort: roughly 35 km of climbing from the Maurienne valley.
FAQ
How long is the Col du Galibier climb?
From Valloire, the climb is about 18.2 km with roughly 1227 m of elevation gain at 6.7% average gradient (based on the simplified profile used by this simulator; published figures vary slightly by source).
How long does it take to cycle up Col du Galibier?
It depends almost entirely on your power-to-weight ratio. Use the simulator on this page: enter your FTP and weight, and a physics model (air resistance, rolling resistance, gravity) estimates your time on the gradient profile.
How accurate is the time simulation?
The simulator uses a simplified segment profile and standard road bike assumptions (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004, 8 kg bike). It does not model wind, drafting, altitude, surface or pacing errors, so treat the result as a realistic estimate, not a guarantee.
How should I train for Col du Galibier?
Sustained climbs reward steady threshold and sweet spot work plus a power-to-weight improvement over weeks, not days. TrainCraft builds structured cycling training plans and adapts them when you miss sessions, using fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB).
More famous climbs
Preparing for this climb?
A climb like this is won weeks in advance. TrainCraft builds a structured plan around your FTP and available hours, and adapts it when you miss a workout.
Start Training FreeThe profile is simplified into 64 segments for simulation; real gradients vary metre by metre. Stats shown are derived from this simulated profile and closely match commonly published figures. Time estimates assume standard road bike physics and no wind.
Training for a climb like this?
TrainCraft builds structured training plans and adapts them when life gets in the way — real fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB), visual workout builder, Strava & Garmin sync. Free to start.