Col du Glandon - La Chambre

The col de Glandon is a straightforward col with a gradient that increases the nearer the summit with the last seven kilometres being the toughest on the whole climb. The last two kilometres are over ten percent with stretches of 12 percent. Note that the climb is normally closed from the beginning of November to mid May.

The Col du Glandon is situated in Rhone-Alpes and belongs to the Alps . Starting from La Chambre, the Col du Glandon ascent is 21.3 km long. Over this distance, you climb 1472 heightmeters. The average percentage thus is 6.9 %.

Are you planning to climb the Col du Glandon? Here, you find all the information to train to climb the Col du Glandon successfully.

Look for other sides to climb the Col du Glandon.

Since 2005, the Col du Glandon will be/was climbed in the following big tour stages:
Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré 2011 :  Pontcharra - La Toussuire on 12/06/2011

Story by Gavan from Dublin, Ireland, submitted on 12/03/2013

Did this as part of the Etape du Tour 2012. To me, it was the iconic climb of the day. Although we continued on to Croix the Fer the easy way, the Glandon was epic in so many ways - the beauty, the challenge. I think this climb was the deal breaker for those who either finished the Etape or not. Lots of bodies lay broken and spent along the way to the top. It is a tough climb, the last 2 km are insanely steep.

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Story by steven herrick from katoomba, Australia, submitted on 29/11/2012

I climbed it in June 2012 on a warm day. I certainly made use of the stream running beside the road to cool off on occasions. Some sections have much-needed tree-cover. The last few kilometres were fun with the surrounding snow-capped peaks looming, but it''s very much a test of the legs and willpower. Two young cyclists I passed were resting under a shady tree. They said, and I quote, ''this ride is too easy for us, that''s why we''re resting...'' Now that''s an excuse I''ll have to use one day. Glandon is a iconic climb worth attempting, but I''d rate it slightly less than Croix de Fer.

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Story by Danny Chang from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, submitted on 05/07/2012

Didnt know what to expect. Did this climb to familiarise the route which I would use for la marmotte descent. Knew it was a long climb with ONE real rest bit mid way up (10km). The Dutch guy who overtook me with some speed at KM6 paid dearly at the final 4km.Unless you have Armstrong''s resting heart rate and PAntani''s legs, I would pace this climb. Coming from Asia and first trip to Europe, i didnt know what to expect on final 2km....it was wicked. COmpacts recommended although I did it with 39X27

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Story by david price from Poole, United Kingdom, submitted on 09/08/2011

Great climb to test yourself on. The first half has a 10% section which lasts for a couple of miles; keep your rhythm and remember the top part is the hardest! You can take it steady in the middle section to recover, before your work begins in earnest. Did this as part of the Alpes Open Tour, stage 4; a French guy had been trying to drop me for a couple of miles; when we reached the last couple of km at 13%, I thought of the regular 18 and 20% climbs at home and found a burst I didn''t know I had, leaving French guy trailing. Double super proud at top (but seriously paid for showing off later in the stage!) 34 front, 25 rear.

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Story by Markoes from , The Netherlands, submitted on 06/10/2010

Hard climb! Didnt really know what to expect. Firtst section is ok, but if you go fast enough it is hard. Then the second section gets harder, pretty steep. Last 2/3k are amazingly steep! Looks a lot more then 11 and 10%. Cool climb!

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Story by David from Melbourne, Australia, submitted on 09/11/2009

I loved this climb. Wed done Madelaine in the morning and this was the afternoon fare. To me it epitomised my riding trip in France. Lovely climb out through the village and forest, into the superb open valley with its mountain stream, waterfall and bushwalkers, then the mammoth last sections zig zagging skyward. Just a great ride.

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Story by Teesside Clarion from GUISBOROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM, submitted on 27/03/2006

The mighty Glandon.Over the years weve broken it into 3 sections. Section 1 to the village is steady, a canopy of trees keep the sun at bay, usually the 21 sprocket.section2 cow alley the gradient alters slightly, it gets warmer, lots of flys from the cows, past the tennis courts, keep a bit in resrve for the last 2k. "pow-wow" very steep! 27 sprocket.

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