Rallye des Cols — Col du Galibier to Col de l’Iseran via Haute-Maurienne
Two of the Alps' highest cols in one run.
This isn’t a designated trail with a name on a sign — it’s a logical overland link that experienced Alpine drivers piece together through the Haute-Maurienne valley in Savoie. You climb the Col du Galibier from Valloire on the north face, summiting at 2,642m on broken tarmac with sheer drop-offs on the western shoulder, then descend to Valloire and push east via the D902 through Bonneval-sur-Arc before grinding up the Col de l’Iseran, Europe’s highest paved mountain pass at 2,770m. Between the two cols, the valley floor corridor provides genuine backcountry gravel connecting the hamlets — it’s quiet, it’s high, and the granite walls on both sides are enormous. Snow patches at the Iseran summit persist well into July and the road authority gates the pass with little warning when storms roll in off the Mont Blanc massif.
A stock AWD handles the sealed tarmac sections in good summer conditions, but gravel connectors through the Maurienne require higher clearance. Ground clearance of 200mm minimum is wise; overlanders with rooftop tents should watch height on a few rock-cut sections approaching the Galibier tunnel. No permits are needed but Vignette-style tolls do not apply here — the roads are free. Fuel in Modane or Lanslebourg before heading up; nothing at elevation. The area falls inside the Vanoise National Park buffer zone, so dispersed camping is restricted — stick to designated sites at Lanslebourg or Bonneval. August weekends bring cyclists in numbers; respect the road width and take your time.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9088 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock AWD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Modane, Savoie, France |
| Land manager | Direction Départementale des Territoires de Savoie |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Defender 90 or 4Runner handle this route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock AWD high-clearance vehicle gets you through — no lift required. The gravel sections are rough but not technical; your bigger concerns are narrow ledges and exposure, not axle articulation.
When does the Galibier actually open after winter, and is snow a real risk in July?
Col du Galibier typically opens late May to early June, but snow can linger on the upper sections well into July. Stick to July–September for the full route; even then, check local road conditions before you roll — late-season storms above 2,700m are not rare.
Do I need any permits or pay fees to drive these cols?
No permits or tolls are required to drive Col du Galibier or Col de l'Iseran — both are public French departmental roads. The land manager is the Direction Départementale des Territoires de Savoie, but there's no registration or access fee for vehicles.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect?
The approach to Col de l'Iseran from the Haute-Maurienne side throws the tightest ledge roads with sheer drop exposure — oncoming traffic on a single-track shelf road is the real stress test, not the surface itself. Commit to your line, use pull-outs, and don't rush it.
Where can I fill up on gas and water along this 68-mile route?
Fuel up in Modane or Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis before heading out — there are no gas stations on the high route itself. Water sources exist near valley villages like Bonneval-sur-Arc, but carry at least 10 liters; cell service is spotty throughout and you don't want to problem-solve a dry tank at 2,700m.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.