Road · Italy
Col de l'Iseran from Bonneval-sur-Arc
A mountainous 13 km road cycling route from Bonneval-sur-Arc, with 966 m of climbing over the Bonneval-sur-Arc climb. Most of it (12.7 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 12.5 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 13.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 966 m
- Riding time
- 57 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Bonneval-sur-Arc
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 966 m
- 13 km
Route description
- Bonneval-sur-Arc
- Bonneval-sur-Arc climb
Starting at Bonneval-sur-Arc at 1792 m, the route immediately begins climbing almost continuously for 13.3 km, gaining 964 m to reach the Col de l'Iseran summit at 2758 m. The average gradient is 7.3%, with a maximum of 10.8%, and 10.5 km are above 5% gradient, including 6.8 km above 8% and a short steep section at 10.8%.
The route is 99% paved, mainly on the D 902 main road for 12.7 km, all without a dedicated cycle lane and with a posted speed limit above 80 km/h for most of it. From 0.6 to 12.7 km there is a long stretch of 12.1 km with no café, shop or water. Early on the route passes through Tralenta and Pré Catin around 0.6 km. Near 10 km the road passes beneath peaks Ouille de la Jave (2867 m) and Pointe des Lessières (3043 m).
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Bonneval-sur-Arc climb (13.2 km at 7.3 %).
- Tops out at 2,758 m, 13.4 km in.
Highlights
- Col de l'Iseran summit at 2758 m
- Bonneval-sur-Arc start at 1792 m
- Ouille de la Jave peak near 10.2 km
- Pointe des Lessières peak near 11.5 km
Along the route
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneval-sur-Arc climb | 0.1 km | 13.3 km · 964 m · 7.3 % · max 10.8 % | 13.2 km · 964 m · 7.3 % | 2758 m |
Bonneval-sur-Arc climb · full ascent, starts at 0.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 95% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 12.5 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 95% main road · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 12.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 12.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- D 902 (13 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 99% climbing · 1% descending · 1% flat
- Steep sections
- 10.5 km over 5% · 6.8 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 16 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 4 water points, 1 petrol station and 5 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmLe pain boulanger · bakery · on the route
- 0 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 0.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 0.3 kmElan · petrol station · on the route
- 0.6 kmSherpa · convenience store · 140 m off route
- 13 kmToilets · 210 m off route
- 13.4 kmRestaurant du Col de l'Iseran · restaurant · 50 m off route
- 13.4 kmL'Échoppe de l'Iseran · convenience store · 50 m off route
Worth a stop
- 9.2 km — Pont de l'Ouliette (rest area)
- 13.4 km — Col de l'Iseran (viewpoint, 2764 m)
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Le pain boulanger (10 m), Le glacier des Evettes (190 m), Auberge d'Oul (10 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Restaurant du Col de l'Iseran (50 m), La Cascade (920 m)
- Shops
- L'Échoppe de l'Iseran (50 m)
Know before you go
- 12.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 12.5 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more
- 12.1 km with no café, shop or water from km 0.6
