Col de l'Iseran, Mountain pass and viewpoint in Vanoise Mountains, France
Col de l'Iseran is a mountain pass in the Vanoise Mountains reaching 2,764 meters elevation and stands as the highest paved pass in the French Alps. The road winds through steep slopes and offers expansive views across the surrounding alpine landscape on clear days.
The pass was officially inaugurated in 1937 and created a vital transportation link between Val-d'Isère and Bonneval-sur-Arc. This route enabled the first year-round connection between these two previously isolated Alpine valleys.
The pass forms part of the Route des Grandes Alpes, which links Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea through a network of mountain roads. The connection allows people living in isolated Alpine valleys to reach distant regions more easily.
The pass is only passable from June through September, as winter snow closures make the road inaccessible during other months. Visitors should travel in the morning and watch weather conditions carefully, since conditions at this elevation can change quickly.
The approach from the north is notorious among cyclists as one of the longest and most demanding climbs in Europe. For serious cyclists, this route presents a true test of endurance with consistently steep sections.
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