Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France
Col de l'Iseran
D902La Daille to Bonneval-sur-Arc
The highest paved mountain pass in the Alps, at 2,764 m.
The D902 over the Col de l’Iseran links Val-d’Isère with Bonneval-sur-Arc across the highest paved pass in the Alps, climbing through bare, glacier-scoured high country to the cross at the summit. Open only in the warmer months; mind the altitude, the abrupt weather, and cyclists on the long climbs.
It climbs through bare scree into a thin, blue-edged sky, but the descent is the reward we come back for: long, rhythmic sweepers and glaciers glinting.
Why we picked it
Scenery
Best seasons
In these collections
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Where it runs18.2 mi · point to point
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Character
The highest road in France, by our count in the catalogue.
Corners
busiest around mile 10Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%1,785.3 – 2,757 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- Col de l’IseranViewpoint9.9 mi in
- Tête de l’ArollayViewpoint7.8 mi in
- Pierre Blanc dit Le PapeLandmark18 mi in
Hazards
- High altitude and thin air
- Sudden alpine weather
- Cyclists on the climbs
Sources
“Known as the King of the Alps and the holy grail for many motorcycle and bike tourers.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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