Another Tour Legend.... the Col d’Izoard has been included in the Tour de France
23 times. The climb which starts from within the fortified town of Briancon is not
too difficult - 2361m high, 20km long, but never too steep (a maximum of 9%), with
most of iit between 4 - 8%.
The climb heads out of the outskirts of Briancon, 7 - 8% for 2 kilometres or so before
it flattens out and even has a gentle downhill section as the road runs along the
valley. It then begins to go up again, but fairly gently - between 3 to 6% until
you reach the small town of Cervieres. This is the halfway point of the climb (10km),
but most of the ascent is still to come.
After the town, the road cuts to the right and begins to get steeper - nothing too
hard but consistently between 8 - 9%. Further up the valley the road enters the
trees and begins to switch back and forth for another 7 km before the trees disappear
and the summit comes into view.
If you are feeling hungry at the top there is not only a snack bar which serves food
and drinks but a sweets stall if you need a few non complex carbohydrates!
Briancon is a very picturesque town - very much worth a visit. The old town within
the fortiified walls has many cafes and restaurants set in steep narrow streets,
and there are great views of the surrounding mountains.
