Col du Galibier, Mountain pass in Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, France.
Col du Galibier is a mountain pass situated at 2,642 meters (8,668 feet) connecting Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Briançon through the southern French Alps. The road crosses the summit through a tunnel carved into the mountainside, with two distinct approach routes on either side.
Road construction began in 1879 to create a passage over the summit, transforming an isolated mountain barrier into a navigable route. The completion of the summit tunnel in 1891 allowed year-round access, though winter closures later became necessary for safety reasons.
The pass takes its name from the region's Alpine heritage, connecting communities that have lived on opposite sides of the mountain for centuries. Today, it remains a meeting point where travelers encounter the traditions of both Savoyard and Dauphiné cultures.
The road is typically passable from June through October, with closures from November to May due to heavy snow. Travelers should check current conditions before departing and be prepared for rapidly changing weather at this elevation.
The northern approach from Valloire presents a significantly longer and steeper climb compared to the southern side from Briançon. This dramatic difference in difficulty between the two routes makes the pass particularly challenging for cyclists attempting the northern ascent.
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