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Col Du Telegraphe

Col Du Telegraphe.....another climb often visited by the Tour de France, having featured 19 times including the 2011 edition.  Mostly it is ridden by cyclists on the way to the Galibier, as it is the only road which approaches the north side of the Galibier.  

The climb starts in the town of St Michel de Maurienne, with an average gradient of 7.3% for just under 12 kilometres.  Most of the climb is wooded, and without the occasional road marker to tell you how far you have to go to the summit, it is diffiicult to gauge your progress.  The gradient of the climb is fairly consistent all the way up, although the very last section is a little steeper at 9 - 10%.  Once you have made it to the top, you’ll likely be continuing on towards the Col du Galibier.  

The picture above right shows the view towards the Col du Galibier after having completed the short descent down from the Telegraphe, and having passed through the ski village of Valloire.  The road follows the valley for a short while before the climbing starts again on the long ride up to the top of the Galibier.