Col de L'Iseran (Val d'Isère) - Cycling Inspiration & Education

Linking the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys in the Savoie department of the French Alps, climbing the Col de L'Iseran is a journey into the wonders of the Vanoise, the country's oldest national park. Although the purists may prefer to start from Bourg Saint Maurice, for the full 48km ascent, in doing so you have to contend with the first stretch of the D902 which is a busy road, heavy with traffic and tunnels. From the famous ski resort of Val d'Isère to the summit the road is much quieter and if you pick your moment then there's every chance you'll have it all to yourself.
Just one of a whole host of mythical climbs on the fabulous Route des Grandes Alpes stretching from Lake Geneva all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, it's not often that you really get a true sense that you're climbing all the way to the very top of the highest peaks around you, but that's exactly what makes the Iseran so special, and at 2,764 metres elevation it's the highest road pass in Europe and the true giant of the Alps.
Start: Val d'Isère
Length: 16 km
Summitt: 2,764m
Start Elevation: 1,854m
Elevation gain: 910m
Max gradient: 10%
Average gradient: 6%
Ridden in July
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Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.
Mike Cotty
The Col Collective
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[@ev3rlastingfaith]

There are so many good things about the Col Collective series, all of which together help make awesome videos. The videography is exceptional. Thank you for showing what is “out there”.

[@TheColCollective]

You're very welcome, thank you for watching! :-)

[@francoiscaccivio1103]

I realise i have a big chance to live in France . Every Summer i go now in french alps to climb those beautifuls roads and this year, it will be the iseran❤

[@TheColCollective]

Bon courage! 🙌🏼

[@niceone1456]

Thanks so much for the traffic tip! Definitely don't want to risk riding in a very busy road.

[@thomasjansen437]

I went a week ago, and started from bourg saint maurice. When you go on sunday there is no work traffic, and it was not busy at all

[@khalidfh]

With col Collective series, one starts watching with happiness looking for the great combination of beautiful scenery with sensational music and ends with sadness feeling that this clip finished at top mountain. This feeling, every cyclists come across every time hit the road toward any mountain. Thanks col collective.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Spine x-ray? What was that all about? How's the bathrooms?

[@FernandoLeme1979]

Man, I've been watching these videos for almost an hour now. You guys did an amazing job with everything from location, to editing, to soundtrack. Kudos!!!!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Dajjal, was cult trying to be clever

[@niceone1456]

This looks like a very doable climb for people like me who just started road cycling and not very fit, thanks for sharing!

[@TheVitorGarcia]

Truly inspirational. Thanks

[@elisevincett9503]

Thank you-!

[@TheColCollective]

You're welcome! 🙏🏻

[@Sailingbill1]

I did a week two years ago cycling near there. Pretty countryside and super nice and hospitable people. Climbs where challenging and in August, it was really warm.

[@huntingsynth]

Honestly the most stunning yet

[@leedorney]

Wonder if Mike rode it down or waited for the camera person to get that Sunset, either way 👌

[@PhilB303]

Wonderful Climb, done it from Tignes (the Dam) and the tunnels really are pretty terrifying. the part from Val d'isere is my favourite alpine climb. its truly epic.

[@biancarozannavisser-kaplan5410]

SPORTS TO THE TOP

[@SebastienRediconmediaDevaux]

Wow ...just wowwww

[@erikjoldersma9307]

Did that 48 km climb from Bourg Saint Maurice to Col de L’Iseran in 2019. #amazing

[@inferno4001]

In my top 5 still to do climbs in the Alps/Southern France! Great video as always. Truly inspiring!! Thanks 4 sharing this!

[@yannmatthews3321]

Stunning!

[@cycleroy]

Did this climb back in August. Amazing video, bravo Mike !

[@Mindblower008]

I really liked the other side !

[@ChamBatJazz]

Absolutely superb! Good video Mike ;)

[@samholder196]

This is such a great channel

[@danielt3214]

Thx for some awesome pictures 👍

[@robertmartin8007]

Great music as well

[@ryansharpe8368]

Wow mike that looks stunning

[@dar29670]

I do regret not tackling this climb a couple of years ago when staying in the Maurienne valley. We got as far up as Mont Cenis and ran out of legs by the end of a long week of Col Collecting!

[@boomshine7]

did it a few days before my first marmotte in 2009 as a 'warm up' :) started all the way down and didnt have much traffic, maybe a good day or early enough..... Anyway still one of my all time favourites

[@ricric9521]

Makes it look like he rode nearly the whole climb out of the saddle. Feel the burn!!

[@Esperluet]

Majestueux. 7:49 50km uphill from Bourg-Saint-Maurice !

[@vegantony3913]

Yep I'm inspired..

[@kellyoram6220]

I've been waiting for this one! Add it to my list!

[@weerawarakul1817]

sooooooooooo good, love it

[@delivrance3961]

beautiful! great job!

[@marcorossi1362]

You are arrived in sunset: beutiful

[@jamesbutler1949]

Riding my bike alone up there, I think i'd break through to the other side.

[@evictorr]

Can I suggest you do a video (if not done already) for Col de l'Iseran from Vallée de la Maurienne (start point Termignon)? This is also quite a nice climb (I did it a week ago).

[@mistersmith158]

superb guys

[@kawaspresso3228]

The other side from Modane is also great to climb ;)

[@chrisbolshaw6385]

As good as ever, loved it - spot on about starting from Val d’Isere. Thanks

[@michaelkennedy9064]

I love the col collective series and helped me plan out my cycle trip through the Dolomites, Switzerland and the French Alps. I rode the Col de L'Iseran from Bourg Saint Maurice and honestly I feel it's probably my least favourite climb. I'm glad I did it being the highest pass in Europe however if it was 50m lower I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I feel the Stelvio really should have this title. While I'm sure technically you can't include the Rifugio Compagnoni which takes it to 2850m I feel it should be included to make it the highest pass in Europe. It certainly has an epic feel to it which I just didn't get with this one. However I did also just come from riding the col de sanestch which is also a really nice climb.

[@batbawls]

Nice taste in music.

[@mdk9495]

Amazing scenery, awesome video Mike . . .

[@TheColCollective]

Thank you kindly, Mike

[@gr0bbelaar]

I was thinking yesterday that it's a shame that you haven't done the L'Iseran yet. And here we are! Not running out of cols any time soon I hope?

[@TheColCollective]

Ha, brilliant! Your wish is our command :-) MANY more climbs to come, fear not! Mike

[@Rvdecwthug]

@@TheColCollective Have you ever done The Rettenbachferner in Solden or the Grossglockner in Austria? It would be nice to see the Austrian Peaks and roads

[@TheColCollective]

Rvdecw Yep, we’ve done the amazing Großglockner, check it out on the channel. 👍🏻

[@jhongiraldosoto2680]

Venga para Colombia tenemos muchas opciones, la línea , letras

[@LarsRR]

Good information on starting from Val d‘Isère instead of going the full climb. How is the other side from Lanslebourg?

[@massivecompacthalo3330]

Another stunning video Mr Cotty. Assuming you're wearing the latest Mavic clothing, you really need to have a word in Mavic's ear. They need some fresh new designers cos their stuff is looking dated. Just my tuppence worth!

[@MikeCotty]

massivecompacthalo Actually I filmed this climb two years ago, hence why the kit may appear a touch dated. I soon realised after filming about a million climbs, it’s much quicker to ride them than to edit and produce each video. We’re getting there though!

[@massivecompacthalo3330]

Mike Cotty, thanks, don't rush the editing, they are super quality and a joy to watch!

[@David-ut5ib]

this year the tour de france come here omg

[@mathiasnoel5088]

Great video Mike ! Iseran is my favorite pass in France, can you tell us the playlist music for this video ?

[@marcosw6893]

I need to get out of my saddle more. Looks way cooler and more “pro”. 🚴🏼

[@marcorossi1362]

Avesome

[@petertaylor123]

Thanks Mike and team! Yet another masterpiece! But how? How have you made soooo many of these amazing videos and I have yet to see a SINGLE car/van/lorry sharing your road. Its obviously not luck/timing. Do you have a rolling road block?

[@MikeCotty]

p tay Super happy you’re enjoying the videos. So here’s our secret......patience. We can literally take hours to film one climb. I may put a “behind the ride, making of The Col Collective” video together one day. I think many will be surprised at just how much time goes into every video. More to come. Mike

[@petertaylor123]

Ahhhh, i was only teasing about a road block. I just find it incredible that you manage to do it! As a side note, i think a 'Behind the Col' episode would be interesting.

[@marcorossi1362]

Have you seen nibali yesterday at Milano San Remo?

[@bowlegbiker1720]

Are you planning on doing Mt. Lemmon in Arizona?

[@lemontagnard9310]

The highter alping pass

[@Esperluet]

The highest paved road in the Alps is the cime de la Bonnette-Restefond (2860m)

[@lemontagnard9310]

RL@VD, she is not paved

[@alluvialfan294]

Incredible Mike! What time of year was this shot please?

[@MikeCotty]

Alluvial Fan We rode this in July.

[@davidchadderton5904]

Need more low gears on that racer bike. Campagnolo Champ Triple would solve it. Like mine.

[@itsallspent]

Do any of the cols date to Roman times or before?

[@johanlopik]

about 50%

[@jellemertens2951]

Hi! I have some questions for my first time riding a col. I've ridden some 5km climbs but never a proper col. End June I'm going to the south of France for 3 weeks to train (region st tropez). With the car it's a 2h30 drive to col de la bonette but also a 2u30 drive to the mont ventoux. Which climb do you recommend in terms of scenery, roads, hardness, traffic, epicness... ? I'm have currently a 36x28 on my bike, is it necessary to put a 34 on? (I'm a sprinter (79kg)) Do you recommend taking extra clothes for the decent end June/begin July? Love the videos, it gives me inspiration to cycle even more!

[@Esperluet]

The shortest the better. don't know your physical condition, but if for tourism only, 36/28 could be enough if not afraid strengh pedaling from time to time, otherwise you should mount 34/32 to be safe (especially for Ventoux climb). Extra cloths necessary and/or newspaper sheets.

[@jellemertens2951]

Thanks man. I ride for top 10 in Belgian races , so the condition is pretty good. I was just a bit afraid of the gear choice. I'll be riding just for the enjoyment, not to set a good time. Looking forward to riding for the first times in the high mountains. I'll take long sleeve windjacket to the top, I'll think that will suffice.

[@Esperluet]

Windjacket is the best joice. If you sweat a lot, you really should also consider the newspaper sheets. Enjoy !

[@jellemertens2951]

RL@VD yeah I'm a big sweater

[@tracynaido7975]

! Val d Isère italie

[@rolandlundall133]

Hi Mike.Can you please tell me what your weight is because he look like a light weight cyclist.You look like you may be the same height as me as I am 185.I am preparing for a fantastic summer next year with the Col Collective to do some tours and also to ride by myself in the mountians.I cycle 30 km to work everyday and I am losing even my weight to really enjoy myself next year.What weight do you think I should be at under 75kg or is that ok.

[@itsallspent]

At 7:56 . . Is that Mont Blanc?

[@Esperluet]

Can't be.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

If anybody dont know what dajjaal system tried to do, ask them to explain this video most of it is self explanatory

[@brianwheeldon4643]

Climbing the wrong side mate. Climb from Bonneval sur Arc and preferably in the snow. Speaking of which you've completely missed the opportunity of crossing the snow bridge and riding to the top between walls of snow 3 metres high both sides of the road. Certain lack of appreciation in this video for the silent awe and majesty of the mountains

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

They both from the underworld? 😂

[@danielarodriguezvargas8429]

Este video tiene un gran error...el Col, la subida en sí tiene 47 eternos kilómetros, si lo contabilizamos desde Bourg Saint Maurice, que es donde verdaderamente es EL COMIENZO DE LA SUBIDA..."robarse" esos 30 kms adicionales y hacer solo el recorrido desde el Valle de Isere no tiene gran mérito!

[@frankfrohmann1504]

Bonette is the highest pass. Full stop.

[@MikeCotty]

Frank Frohmann The pass over the Bonette is 2,715m, they built the loop around the top to nudge the road up to 2,802m but that’s not the pass. In any event they are both super high and absolutely brilliant. Ride safe. Mike

[@frankfrohmann1504]

I know the Bonette, I rode it 18 times. I don´t care about technical details of a road. It culminates at 2.802 m. That´s sufficient to be the highest.

[@TheHaining]

La Bonette is not a pass - it's a ridiculous 1-km loop around a rocky outcrop designed to raise the height of the so-called Col de la Bonette.

[@Esperluet]

Highest road vs highest pass :o)

[@peny79133]

미세먼지 없는 나라... 한국은 중국때문에 맨날 피해본다.