French Alps, France · from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne
Col du Télégraphe
Tour de France 2026 · Stage 20 →The Télégraphe climbs out of the Maurienne valley in near-constant 7-7.5% switchbacks under welcome tree cover. On its own it is a satisfying hour of climbing; in racing it is almost never alone — it is the first half of the Télégraphe-Galibier double.
Summit elevation: 1566 m
Route overview
Col du Télégraphe · from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 11 detected hairpins marked (filled markers are tighter than 15 m radius). Use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
Measured road detail
Taken from the Col du Télégraphe track used by the 3D flyover: from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne · 605 road points
- Measured length
- 11.96 km
- Measured ascent
- 849 m
- Elevation range
- 718 → 1566 m
- Hairpins detected
- 11
- Tightest hairpin
- 10.5 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Col du Télégraphe
- 1.7 km · 832 mLeft · 12.9 m
- 7.0 km · 1237 mRight · 10.5 m
- 7.3 km · 1258 mLeft · 14.2 m
- 7.7 km · 1292 mRight · 12.3 m
- 8.0 km · 1302 mLeft · 12.7 m
- 8.5 km · 1333 mRight · 10.5 m
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Col du Télégraphe?
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 Télégraphe and the Tour
Crossed by the Tour since 1911, virtually always in combination with the Galibier. The old telegraph fort above the pass gave the climb its name.
Every legendary Galibier stage — from Georget in 1911 to the modern era — has first had to deal with the Télégraphe. In 2026 it again sets up the Galibier on stage 20 to Alpe d'Huez.
Richard Carapaz won the queen stage over the Croix de Fer, Télégraphe, Galibier and Col de Sarenne, sealing the mountains classification.
First rider recorded over the Télégraphe in the Tour, on the race's first Galibier year.
Riding it yourself
When to go
Open May to November thanks to its modest 1,566 m summit. The forest keeps it cool in summer, making it one of the more pleasant big climbs on hot days.
Base & logistics
Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne sits at the foot; Valloire, 5 km of gentle descent beyond the summit, is the last town before the Galibier. If you plan the full double, refill bottles in Valloire — there is nothing after Plan Lachat.
FAQ
How long is the Col du Télégraphe climb?
From Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, the climb is about 12.3 km with roughly 829 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 Télégraphe?
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.
Can I see Col du Télégraphe in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 605 routed points covering from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Col du Télégraphe have?
11 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 10.5 m radius. They are marked on the 2D sketch and ridden in order in the 3D flyover.
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 Télégraphe?
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 44 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.