Route: 
D1091 & D902 Briancon to St. Michel de Maurienne - 44 miles 
D1091 & D902 Briancon to St. Michel de Maurienne - 44 miles Ridden: 30/06/2008
This famous Col connects Briancon and St. Michel de Maurienne via the Col du Lautaret and the Col du Telegraphe. Before 1976, the tunnel was the only point of passage at the top, at an altitude of 2,556m. The tunnel was closed for restoration until 2002, and a new road was constructed over the summit. The re-opened tunnel is a single lane controlled by traffic lights which, at 2,400m must be amongst the highest in Europe.
From the south, the climb starts from the Col du Lautaret at an altitude of 2,058m and is a little over 5 miles long at an average grade of 6.9% gaining 585m. The maximum gradient is 12.1% at the summit.
From the north, starting at St. Michel de Maurienne and including the Col du Telegraphe, the climb is almost 22 miles long, gaining 2,120m in height at an average grade 6.1%. The actual climb to the summit starts at Valloire and is 11 miles long at an average grade of 6.9% gaining 1,245m. The maximum gradient is 10.1% at the summit.
Whether you ride the Galibier from the south or the north it is simply and not to be missed and it's easy to see why it's such a favourite with the Tour de France. Since 1947 it has been crossed on more than 30 occasions.
