A link road between the Oisans and the Matheysine, Col d’Ornon offers a steady, pastoral climb from Bourg-d’Oisans, long used by the Tour de France as a tactical stepping-stone before the bigger neighbouring passes.
A steady gradient between Oisans and Matheysine
From Bourg-d’Oisans, it’s 11.6 km for 643 m of elevation gain, averaging 5.8%, with a brief peak of 8.6%. The wide road, free of any particular technical difficulty, allows a constant tempo all the way to the summit at roughly 1,367 m.
A pastoral landscape away from the tourist bustle
Unlike the busy neighbouring climbs around Alpe d’Huez, Col d’Ornon crosses a landscape of pastures and quiet hamlets, offering a noticeably calmer atmosphere for cyclists seeking peace and quiet.
Getting the ride right
The steady gradient allows a constant tempo without any particular pacing effort, making it an ideal warm-up climb before moving on to the more selective ascents of the Oisans.
When to go
April to November — the pass is generally rideable outside snow periods thanks to its moderate altitude, well below the surrounding high alpine passes.
Good to know
Bourg-d’Oisans, the starting point, makes a convenient base for combining several climbs in the region, with Alpe d’Huez and Col de la Croix de Fer just a few kilometres away.
