Travel Journal by Climb
Epic Cycling Climbs top 100 passes in the Alps
These are some of the most exiting Alpine climbs, some are on the usual suspects list while some are off the beaten track. Some are chronicled in the travel journals below, for the rest, I have included climbing profiles from Climbfinder.com
01
2803m
Cime de la Bonette - France
The Cime de la Bonette is a totally unique climb. It is long, high, very remote and has unpredictable weather. It is the highest "route" or through road in the Alps, but it is so much more. Together with the Colle del Nivolet, the Cime de la Bonette is in the league of most awesome roads ever.
02
2770m
Col de l'Iseran - France
The Col de l'Iseran is the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. It stands at 2770m and tops the list of the very high mountain crossings. It connects the French cycling heartlands of the Tarantaise and the Maurienne valleys and sits deep into the mountains nestled close to the Italian border.
03
2758m
Passo dello Stelvio from Bormio - Italy
This ride is one of the most epic rides available in the Alps. The ascent from Bormio is shorter and has 10 hairpins less than its famous sibling from the north but it is nevertheless packs a punch right from the gun. The Stelvio is a legendary climb - there is nothing like riding the Stelvio.
04
2758m
Stifserjoch from Prad - Italy
Italy's most famous and iconic mountain pass. It is approximately 24km long, and climbs 1800 meter with an average gradient for 7.4% rising to 14% in places. Its 48 famous hairpin turns takes you through stunning alpine scenery along the Ortler mountain range.
05
2743m
Kaunertaler Gletscherstrasse - Austria
What makes this ride so special it that it takes you on a time ride through evolution. Starting in a lush valley with meadows and cow bells ringing and ending in a moon like landscape of rock and ice at an altitude of 2749m. Like a ride through the evolution of time.
06
2642m
Col du Galibier - France
The Col du Galibier is probably the most famous mountain pass in road cycling. Since 1911, the pass has frequently been included in the Tour de France and countless battles have been fought on its slopes. If you climb only one pass during your cycling days, this is the one.
07
2625m
Colle del Nivolet - Italy
The road to nowhere - a ride between reality and imagination and one of the greatest Alpine roads ever, if not the greatest. The climb to the Colle del Nivolet is not so much of a cycling climb than a riding symphony.
08
2621m
Passo Gavia - Italy
The Enfant terrible and feared pass on the Giro for its weather and unpredictability, is a wonderfully wild road and a true cycling crown jewel - Passo Gavia is a wonderful ride. The southern side from Ponte di Legno is particlarly spectacular.
09
2571m
Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse - Austria
A long and tough road that beats other stalwarts of mountain cycling like the Stelvio in terms of difficulty and determination required. It has 13 hairpin bends and prolonged sections of double digit gradient. It ends with six hairpins on cobbles to reach the Edelweiss Spitze at 2571 meters altitude.
10
2507m
Timmelsjoch / Passo Rombo - Austria / Italy
The Timmelsjoch (Passo Rombo from the Italian side) starts from the busy Ötztal, rides through a lost and mysterious valley once dominated by smugglers before tackling an incredible road on the Italian side which is hugging the mountain side with endless switch backs.
Wonderfully varied ride with two very different sides.
11
2361m
Col d'Izoad - France
The Col d'Izoard is a climb in the Southern French Alps between the Brianconnaise and Queyras mountain regions, connecting the Cerveyrette gorge in the north with the Casse Deserte in the south. Both sides are very different and the Casse Deserte is the more famous side to climb the Col d'Izoard. The gorge of the Cerveyrette river does no need to hide though.
12
2326m
Col de la Cayolle - France
The Col de la Cayolle is a climb in the Southern French Alps between the village of Saint Martin d'Entraunes in the Var Valley to the south and Barcelonnette in the Ubaye Valley to the north. It is a true gem of the Southern Alps.
13
2244m
Sella Ronda - Italy
The Sella Ronda is a truly legendary route, it offers breathtaking views wherever you look and an unrivalled variety of climbing and descending. A must do for every cycling enthusiast. It covers the Passo di Sella, Pordoi, Gardena and Campolongo.
14
2238m
Passo Giau & Falzarego - Italy
Passo Giau is the most wonderful ride and in many ways it encapsulates what riding is about. A challenging road, stunning scenery, a change in environments and a fabulous descent. The Passo Giau has it all. It is truly the king of passes in the Dolomites.
15
2237m
Passo Pordoi & Fedaia - Italy
Passo Pordoi is a perfect and gentle ride right next to the Sella. Passo Fedaia brings you as close to the mighty Marmolada as is possible. Both passes are laden with Giro folklore too which makes this ride special.
16
2109m
Col du Vars - France
The Col du Vars is a climb in the Southern French Alps, part of the route that connects Briancon in France with Cueno in Italy. This climb is a gentle giant among the French alpine passes. It rides through a wide open valley dominated by meadows, villages and ski resorts. While there are trees, the road does not go through forests and provides great views all round.
17
2065m
Col de la Croix de Fer - France
The Col de la Croix de Fer is a climb in the Northern French Alps between Allemond in the Oisans Valley to the south and the Maurienne Valley to the north. The local working man's pass having connected the local people of the Maurienne and Oisans valleys for centuries.
18
2037m
Voralberg rides & climbs - Austria
Located in Austria's west, Voralberg is a hidden gem in Alpine road cycling. There are the gentle pre Alpine hills in the Bregenzerwald at the northern borders with Germany and high alpine mountains and passes towards the southern border with Switzerland.
19
2037m
Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse - Austria
The Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse sits at the end of the Montafon valley, connecting Partenen in Voralberg with Galtür in Tyrol. The road is a true gem of 34 hairpins and a gentle rhythmic nature that make it a joy to ride. This is one of Austria's most famous roads and rightly so.
20
1991m
Passo delle Erbe / Würzjoch - Italy
Silent giant that sits to the north of the "who is who" of Dolomite mountain passes, minding its own business. Unlike its famous peers to the south, the Passo delle Erbe sits by itself to the north and exudes a wonderful seclusion and calmness.
21
1941m
Torri di Fraele & Bormio rides - Italy
Bormio is located in the Valtellina in the Stelvio National Park.
It sits at a dead end of a valley floor and four valleys originate from here, each offering signature climbs and further local rides. Torri di Fraele is a unique ride up 21 tightly packed switchbacks on a rickety road. The other local ride is up to Bormio 2000.
22
1889m
Hahntennjoch & Pitztal - Austria
The Hahntennjoch and the Pitztal both start from Imst in the Inntal - the Hahntennjoch is to the north and the Pitztal is to the south. The Hahntennjoch is a lesser know climb to the north of the Inntal but this is no slouch and while not the longest, steepest or famous, this climb demands its pound of flesh.
23
1875m
Passo di Mortirolo - Italy
This little thug to the south of the majestic passes of Bormio is a true challenge for any cyclist. The main characteristic of this climb is its unrelenting toughness.
24
1841m
Alpe d'Huez - France
Alpe d'Huez is probably together with the Tourmalet and the Mont Ventoux in its own league of Tour de France royalty. There are many epic stages in the Alpes but Alpe d'Huez has so much TdF history, so many battles have been fought on these slopes, and so many races have been decided here that Alpe d'Huez is the premier climb in the French Alps.
25
1761m
Furkajoch - Austria
This climb is not to be confused with the more famous Furka Pass in Switzerland but given the closeness of Voralberg to Switzerland, it is not a surprise that the passes have the same names. The Furkajoch is tough and lovely in equal measures and a much less traveled road.
26
1726m
Monte Grappa - Italy
Riding Monte Grappa is not just a climb but a destination. Its position as single stand out mountain guarding the Venetian plains is as unique as is its history as a World War 1 battleground. It can be climbed 10 ways, all very differnt in nature.
27
1677m
Col de la Couillole - France
The Col de la Couillole is a quiet mountain pass in the Alpes-Maritimes of southeastern France, rising to about 1,678 meters. The pass sits in a high alpine meadow setting, open and pastoral yet the climb rides up through a dramatic tight gorge like valley with hilltop villages and rickety tunnels. Sixteen km of pure riding joy.
28
1650m
Passo di Monte Bondone - Italy
The road begins in Trento and climbs almost immediately. Monte Bondone doesn’t rely on spectacle or extreme gradients. Its challenge lies in length, consistency, and the calm persistence it demands—an old-school climb that rewards steady effort and respect for the mountain.
29
1617m
Monte Baldo / Bocca del Creer - Italy
Despite the lower altitude, this climb is tough, irregular and steep but rewards with an ever changing scenery. Monto Baldo is a great but tough ride and it comes by a number of names. Some refer to it as Bocca del Creer or as Monte Baldo. If you do one ride at Lake Garda, this is the one.
30
1174m
Passo Santa Barbara - Italy
Passo Santa Barbara from Arco is a super great ride in the HC category. At 1057m altitude gain over 13 km and an average gradient of 8.1% which dips frequently into double digits, this climb is tough but super regular. One my absolute favourites despite its low altitude.
31
1063m
Riva del Garda rides & climbs - Italy
There are many shorter climbs around the lake. Most of these have serious gradients and challenge stamina and condition, especially in the summer months. Lago di Teno stands out as a quick dash up the hill. There are great views everywhere and steepness is guaranteed.
32
1026m
Pfänder Alpe - Austria
The Pfänder Alpe is "the" climb on Lake Constance and with 600m altitude gain, this a proper workout. The views over the lake and the Swiss mountians are amazing. The views into Austria and the Bregenzerwald are lovely and worth the effort.
33
712m
Passo San Boldo - Italy
Probably the coolest pass in the world. Situated towards Venice in the Alpine foothills, the pass climbs up a gorge which is too tight for a proper pass road and hence the switchbacks are all in tunnels. So cool.
From prehistoric trails to modern tunnels, the mountain passes of the Alps have shaped the continent’s history. They are more than mere routes through rock and snow; they are memories in stone, witnesses to migration, conflict, commerce, and curiosity. As both gateways and guardians, the passes of the Alps endure — linking past and present, challenging and inspiring all who traverse them.
