Climbing The French Alps' Most Scenic Route!

[@gcn]

Is this a climb you'd like to ride?

[@alinapopescu872]

No.

[@petergrn1903]

I rode it when i did the La Marmotte in 2015. Beautiful climb, but it’s not easy to overtake people cause of the narrow road.

[@FredrikGranlundkayaker]

I did it twice in 2015, before l'Étape du Tour.

[@stevenfreeman7798]

Would love to do that one even though nearly 65 lol!!

[@MacMasore]

It’s on my bucket list

[@ChrisGuarraia]

I’ve got to say, when the camera zoomed out in the opening sequence of this video, I got goosebumps. What a gorgeous climb. I’d suffer for that.

[@gcn]

It's incredible! The suffering would be worth it for the views at the top

[@royhamers]

Discovered this climb by chance in 1989 and it was a wonderful experience. We stayed in Saint Jean de Mauriene for a few nights and from there it is a few kilometers to the foot of this climb.

[@gmac8345]

It is an absolute beauty of a climb. One of my favourites and should feature on everyone's bucket list of Alp ascents.

[@gcn]

We agree with you there!

[@Penzger]

Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße!🇦🇹

[@AQUPAS]

My goodness look at that view, there's no place like France when it comes to cycling. Thanks for showing us this segment!

[@wigi1987]

Will add to the bucket list, most stunning climb I’ve done is Cormet de Roselend, breath taking

[@torymoody4078]

Im with Manon; not a fan of climbing, but NOW knowing the grades are around 8% and it's not as long as i thought it was i wouldn't mind giving it a go one day. I'd especially like to try it going down!

[@gcn]

We'd definitely recommend giving it ago! Going down is always good fun

[@markos1963]

Climbed it a couple of times. So so beautiful. A must ride for all cyclists.

[@vosch8229]

Looks beautiful, haven't heard of it. When I was driving to Alpe d'Huez, I went over the Col du Glandon and fell in love with this climb. I am glad that I could conquer it on my bike some years later.

[@gcn]

The Col di Glandon is a beautiful climb, having said that most climbs in the Apls are beautiful. ( some beautiful and brutal )

[@nstrug]

Love that the French put 17 hairpins on a 277m elevation climb. In the UK you would have one (if you were lucky) and it would be a 20% legsnapper. Rosedale Chimney Bank I'm looking at you...

[@danm5021]

It's a lovely climb. I raced some friends up it a couple of days after the 2015 etape as part of a 'recovery ride'... The col du chaussy (also part of that year's etape) is also a lovely climb esp toward the top so I would recommend keep going at the top of the lacets!

[@paxundpeace9970]

This style of climb is quite frequent on Mallorca. The Col de Soller for example not as steep but with 5 kilometers a bit longer.

[@chrismarshall2853]

Heading up there tomorrow, after Croix de Fer. Looks amazing! Thank you 🙏

[@jonglass458]

Loved this climb - it's spectacular, not too long, water trough in the village at the top and a nice swoopy descent back down too! Rode it last summer as a finisher at the end of a day when I'd crossed the Iseran starting in Bourg St Maurice and was so glad I added it in

[@lindralyndra]

It's so lovely to see videos about how beautiful places are to bike in. I always feel like such a rube for taking it slow and just admiring the scenery, but I feel like getting outside takes you closer to admiring good things about the world. My favourite views around home tend to involve dramatic clouds or stands of native trees - so gorgeous! I'd love to know what the GCN presenters find most beautiful when they ride. (I know the least beautiful for Si is cows, but beside that.)

[@Seppster58]

Watched this stage on the TDF and now with Hank and Manon doing this for a better peek at this was awesome. So many beautiful places in France. Love. the drone shots. And no traffic?? Wow. Nice.

[@bananasESCT]

Lots of traffic during summer unfortunately But worth checking if they close it for cyclists sometimes

[@cyclistshub]

I haven't done Alpe du Huez yet, but last year, I did Lacets de Montvernier instead, up to the top (Col du Chaussy), where you can see Galibier on the other side. 😍I then went on to the Col du Sapey. It was amazing! Sometimes, I have to come back here and ride the other side of the valley (Col de la Croix-de-Fer). I can fully recommend this climb. 👌😊

[@fastestmilkman3840]

Alpe du Huez is a "one and done" climb for me, too many cars especially in the summer when lots of building work happen at the top. Croix-de-Fer is my fav, absoultly beautiful from Barrage du Verney.

[@cyclistshub]

@@fastestmilkman3840 yeah, I think it's a bit overrated.

[@gcn]

There are so many amazing climbs to ride in the Alps, thanks for the recommendation. We will put that on our list for the next time we are out there

[@neilrobinson3109]

It’s prettier from a distance than actually riding it. Far and away the prettiest climb in the world, for me, is the Col Del Nivolet. Google images will prove my point!

[@kylemandy5477]

@@neilrobinson3109have to agree hands down with that!

[@tanjanitschke2974]

Thanks for this wonderful reminder! Been there a couple of years ago and was as stunned as you were.

[@jeremyb6980]

love that climb, did it before hitting the Telegraph a few years back, then on to the Galibier, Sestriere on route to Italy the next day. This is a stand out one in my memory.

[@petinka721]

Yes that climb will be on my bucket list now.

[@gcn]

[@stephanematter8148]

definitely we want to climb it ^^ Thanks GCN!

[@nicmorton280]

Great piece of cycling journalism, thanks so much to both of you for sharing the love of cycling.

[@gcn]

Thanks for watching

[@ewoutbijlsma5254]

hey, this kind of content is amazing! if this is what's to come now you've parted ways with discovery i'm all for it!

[@markandrews2222]

Great episode, folks. Before calling it the “world’s most beautiful climb”, though, I humbly suggest you try the “Going to the Sun” highway in Glacier National Park, Montana. Just be sure to do it during the 3-1/2 DAYS that pass for summer there. I’ve been lucky to hit it twice in good weather; a definite bucket list ride. Thanks again for the great video!

[@brianpmack]

I rode up and down the west side 3 days before you posted this comment and I completely agree. Stunningly beautiful. It was so pretty that I completely forgot to smash myself to bits and kept stopping to take amazing picture after amazing picture.

[@rowanridderhof2593]

Did this epic climb last year. Amazing to ride up. Every corner there is a view worth climbing for. The most fun and beautiful climb i did that week!

[@WowRixter]

Rode that twice in 2016, before and after 120km/3,000m of other climbs. What a gem.

[@jeremyedwards3612]

It looks better than it rides, but the last section up to the chaussy makes it worthwhile.

[@teryyy5052]

More interesting climbs, roads including famous climbs pretty please! Love these video segments ❤

[@acegard7801]

Well done to you both. Hat tip to Manon who says she isn't a climber.

[@gcn]

Thank you - I think we might have turned Manon into a mountain goat after this trip to the Alps!

[@Flo-sl2jc]

Climbed last year, as „warm up“ for Croix de Fer. And of course, we‘ve done it for the pictures. Was a very nice ride.

[@tarikberair9562]

Goosebumps watching you conquering this beautiful climb

[@BigWojS]

Beautiful. There's a small section of the Grand Colombier climb that matches it for aesthetics I think. But it's much smaller scale.

[@Brrunoc1]

Went there ten years ago to watch the TdF. Bottom of the climb is St Jean De Maurienne which has a rail station to Paris, and Turin, close to col De Telegraph, Croix de Fer and many more.

[@AlisonAdventuring]

That looks spectacular to visit and ride.. reminds me of Cheddar Gorge a bit?!?

[@eddjcaine]

Passed by this a few months ago and thought what a great ride it would be!

[@chrisdelaplante5515]

Very nice, i live in Réunion Island and here we have also big climb with very beautifull landscape and vue.

[@markmatossian6305]

It's a lovely short climb to ride, as a warm up by itself or paired with one of the many TdeF major climbs all around it. St. Jean de Marienne is across the river at the bottom and a good place to stay. It's often a stage start or finish town.

[@derickcastillo9083]

I enjoyed your video. What a beautiful climb. I would like to suggest that you put together a top 10 bucket list of climbs list for cyclists. Mauna Kea in Hawaii would be on my list. It is almost 70 kms long, sea level to 4195 meters and the last 20 km is between 9 and 12%. Being that it is in Hawaii, I bet it is quite beautiful. Right now I have trouble riding 70 km on flat roads.😃

[@rogerhart612]

Awesome ride. Thanks for sharing.

[@eleycki]

Love it! Great vid guys. This would make a good training video to play back on the turbo!

[@gcn]

Great idea

[@nickdorey940]

Rode up it in 2015 as part of our charity ride of all 21 stages of the 2015 TdF in 23 days. It was so hot - 40 degrees in the valleys, and after 170kms and over 3500m of climbing I was utterly cooked.

[@AEDumit]

Very good video. To my bucket list!

[@viliusp9955]

well hats off to both of you, who cal talk normally on a 8% average climb and enjoy the views. Especially for someone who call themselves "not a climber"!

[@flageolett]

This Climb is epic, but rather short. If you'd like to go for a real round, you could start in Aiton (Isere valley) warm up on the little roads to the foot of the lacets, climb on to the Col du Chaussy, descend and then do the Col de la Madelaine. Rolling out the valleys to Alberville and then Aiton ist a perfect cool down (137km, 2760m).

[@dalis994]

Ah, frech alpes, my love. As for the lacets, riding it was a bit disapointing, though it is very photogenic. You should do and show some local climbs with gorges. Like one in Vercors, Gorge du Nan - en epic climb with beatuful views. And if you go up to the top via adjacent climbs it's like 1500 elevation.

[@rbonn3880]

Stunning!

[@karlwright5784]

Loved this climb, done it on route to Telegraph

[@arthaud-l9r]

I live at 5 km from it and do it very often

[@PixelVibe42]

Have passed it, but was told by a cycling guide that it looks good from a distance but the views on it are not that great. But you get a good view of the quarry and cement works on the other side of the valley ... :)

[@njmoddjobs]

Epic rope bridge that would be something to go across. FYI right hand side of the view of the full climb. For the climb itself 👍

[@Oslolumi]

No spectators were allowed on the Lacets de Montvernier during the few Tour de France stages over this course. They were at the top or on the cliff besides the Lacets (Via ferrata), but not on the road itself. I climbed it in 2016, goose bumps all the way up.

[@ILYWAMBFH]

Like lots of others I rode it when the Marmotte had an altered route. It wasn't as hard or scary as it looks and not too long either. Beautiful all the same.

[@DavidGordonRamsay]

I'd definitely prefer to climb Lysevegen up from Lysebotn! Yeah its a bit longer but the views are magnificent. 27 hairpins, rising from the end of Lysefjord up to around 640 meters to a panaramoic restaurant/cafe, all well enjoying views of nature instead of a motorway!

[@TheBidois]

I think in Brazil has a more woder climb: the climb of Rio do Rastro, in Santa Catarina. I know it is not part of Tour de France, but it's one of the most wonderful views in Brazil.

[@krehme]

I would be happy to ride any climb in France. They all beat the little bumps around the area where I live.

[@andreaonyoutube9560]

Love the French Alps 🤍🤍🤍🤍

[@guntherkainersdorfer7839]

Its beautiful, but pretty short. I did it last year, going further up to Col de la Madeleine..great ride

[@AEDumit]

Check out an epic climb in southern Brazil. It is called Serra do Rio do Rastro. There is a bike climb challenge every year, bringing hundreds of cyclist. In 2024 it is going to be in November

[@lucferrari3109]

Galibier both sides and Iseran south side are spectacular

[@dopeone700]

Rode it July 13th 2022! First climb of the day, then off to The Telegraphe, then The Galibier!

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

I'm just warming up for a short race , st. Lary Soulan to Pla d'Adet. Only 900m over 12km so not really a proper climb. Gonna treat it like an FTP test. Starting at 7pm

[@melibaut]

Looks beautiful 😍

[@mrake1000]

Wow amazing.

[@CerveloS5rider]

Very similar to port de valdemosa in Mallorca

[@LivandTrekGoCycling]

Good video...great drone shots...especially at 2.45 🚴👍

[@gcn]

It looks incredible from above

[@mommamooney]

That climb looks spectacular, if not terrifying

[@richcrompton6891]

It’s at the top of my hairpin bucket list!

[@dtsybulskyi]

Well said - it might not be an "epic" climb, but a rewarding one indeed! One to include into the future french tour of one's own :-)

[@bodaciouscans]

Was in the Alps two weeks ago and did the Marmotte route to tick off some beautiful Alpine climbs in one go (had a short stay and it was my very first time in the Alps). I'm glad I skipped this one, I don't like climbs that end in a village. The view at the top is underwhelming, and there are plenty of hairpins elsewhere on more rewarding cols :)

[@renewillemsen6769]

been there ,done that ,got the pictures, but the ride is magnificent. Not as hard as the Alpe D'huez though.

[@adamgriss2025]

Why am I not surprised that Phil the Thrill Gaimon holds the KOM? I sure more than a few cookies were involved in that effort. 😂

[@samueltrump698]

Fortunate enough to get to ride this with Trek Travel last year. Anyone know where I can get a poster/photo with an image like that of the drone shot? Could not find anything on Gruber images..

[@holgerg3824]

I did it last week, and must say : No. It is boring, sometimes you can look into the valley with the highway. On the other side, you can only see the rocks. It was very hot at the rocks. Doing some quick tests might be ok. Col de Croix de fer is much more beautiful.

[@mateuszpolaszek2134]

Agrykola 😍

[@St.Petrock]

Looks awesome

[@davejenkins8013]

Rode it last year, very enjoyable 😊

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it as much as Hank & Manon

[@bikenbeers]

I'm going to be in Grenoble in September. I think this climb is not too far if I drive from Grenoble to the begining of the climb?

[@TheMachoGabacho]

How do I join the channel membership? I don’t see a link anywhere.

[@arqlav]

I would so Looooooove to be able to visit that place and ride there !... ... but mostly , i'd loooooooooove to ride it down !!! 😉😎

[@cb6866]

Thanks JLW , Manon , and crew . Great drone shots !!

[@gcn]

Thanks for watching

[@cb6866]

@@gcn old guy , big fan

[@alantait5968]

Yeh did it a few years ago sadly I probably went too hard should have slowed down to enjoy more.

[@MrEL28]

I presume there's a cafe or restaurant at the mountain top. Nothing beats having a cuppa after a nice ride.

[@gcn]

There is a restaurant but it wasn't open when we went 🥲 Manon

[@garethjones3806]

It’s a beautiful climb - strangely enough really not that hard - partly because you are just smiling all the way up.

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome :)

[@Alfadrottning86]

This one looks awesome .. but i still need to be convinced that climbing is something to yearn for .. not something to utterly despise. What i must say is .. the sheer fact that there are no cars makes that 10x nicer than the climb you did with the "citybike" .. which (to me) looked too dangerous, considering cars and busses passed very closely and at surprisingly high speed.

[@edgerat]

2 best presenters on one of the prettiest roads EVER

[@gcn]

[@FisyEditz]

They are really talented

[@Csapi007]

Not bad, check out Passo San Boldo next!

[@saurabhmash85]

Come and ride gata loops in ladakh India

[@stevelknievel4183]

The first time that the Tour went up that climb they didn't permit any spectators on the climb because of safety fears.

[@bertiesmith3021]

Have they had spectators on subsequent visits?

[@stevelknievel4183]

@@bertiesmith3021 I'm not sure. I didn't realise it had been a part of the tour more than once.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Next week: Manon and Hank descend all those hairpins. ❤

[@drsomm9017]

Lysebotn, Norway

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

I reckon Illi Gardner could beat the female kom time. I know that you have invited her on your show before so think that it would be great if both Illi and Andrew Feather could both try for the records on a future episode - if they are interested

[@Indy125]

didn't they prevent fans from being on the road when the TDF came through?

[@garethjones3806]

Yep. Just riders and team cars. Even the processional caravans wasn’t allowed up.

[@matthewthompson6402]

Off the back of watching this video I did this climb last week and found it a bit underwhelming if I'm honest. It looks great on screen but the views from the road as you ride up aren't as spectacular as from a drone filming from above. By comparison there are many more beautiful climbs in the region (Galibier / Croix de Fer / Glandon / Alpe D'Huez / Sarenne etc.) The Lacets de Monvernier mostly overlooks a motorway with a large cement works at the bottom.

[@KevinAxt-om5on]

Like to ride it? Sure. I've barely made it to Europe twice though so no looking too good.

[@MrMarkyone]

Done it 👍

[@lodevandemaele]

❤

[@BourNes3k]

5:00 check out that cute waterfall on the right side

[@aslam7952]

Ah, this is why trail running is such a big thing.