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Hautes-Alpes · Queyras · Hors Catégorie

Col d'Izoard

Arvieux → Col d'Izoard · The Casse Déserte

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Technical data
The technical sheet
2 364 m
Altitude
Pass of the Hautes-Alpes
14.2 km
Distance
Depuis Arvieux
1 034 m
Elevation gain
Elevation gain
7.3 %
Avg. gradient
Max 10% · Casse Déserte
-15 °C
Min. temp
Possible at the summit in winter
HC
Difficulty
Hors Catégorie
Elevation profile
Arvieux → Col d'Izoard
Distance -
Altitude -
Local gradient -
1 357m → 2 364m Total distance
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< 3% 3–5% 5–7% 7–9% 9–11% 11–13% > 13%
Col d'Izoard · Hautes-Alpes · Queyras
History & Legend
The Casse Déserte

The Col d'Izoard rises to 2,364 metres in the Hautes-Alpes, between the Queyras and the Briançonnais. The climb from Arvieux covers 14.2 km for 1,034 metres of elevation gain. But it is the last 2 kilometres that make its legend: the Casse Déserte, a chaos of ochre rock and limestone pinnacles rising from nowhere, an end-of-the-world landscape at 2,200 metres.

The Tour de France discovered the Izoard in 1922. Since then, two names have been carved into the stone, literally. A memorial honours Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet, who both dominated this pass with crushing regularity in the 1950s. Bobet won here three times, Coppi twice. They embody the golden age of the Izoard.

In 2017, the Tour returned to the Izoard after 14 years away. Warren Barguil won the stage at the summit to the cheers of a crowd packed into the Casse Déserte. The image of hundreds of spectators clinging to the rocky pinnacles travelled around the world.

Tour 1953
Louison Bobet
A third consecutive win on the Izoard. Bobet knew every bend, every stone. He made this pass his exclusive hunting ground.
Tour 1972
Eddy Merckx
The Cannibal devoured the Izoard like all the rest. A commanding win in the Casse Déserte, under a blazing sun above 2,000 metres.
Tour 2017
Warren Barguil
A Frenchman's tearful win in an Alps-focused Tour. Barguil crossed the line arms wide before the pinnacles of the Casse Déserte.
Tour 2017
Primož Roglič
Second on the stage but the first to attack in the Casse Déserte. The Slovenian revealed his potential to the world on this mythical pass.
The Anecdote

In 1949, Fausto Coppi led through the Casse Déserte with a lead of several minutes over the peloton. A photographer of the time captured the image: Coppi alone, a tiny silhouette against ochre stone and blue sky. That photo, 'The Campionissimo in the Casse Déserte', is regarded as the finest in cycling history. It sold at auction for 48,000 euros in 2019.

Scenery & Sensations
What you will experience
The Climb Through the Forest
From Arvieux (1,357 m), the first kilometres cross the open alpine pastures of the Queyras before entering the larch forest. A steady gradient of around 7%, through wild and unspoilt scenery.
The Casse Déserte
At 2,100 metres, the landscape changes utterly. No more trees, no more pastures. In their place, ochre limestone scree and rocky pinnacles thrust from the mountain. This mineral chaos, unique in the Alps, is the result of millions of years of erosion. Two memorials recall Coppi and Bobet. The wind whistles between the stones. You feel alone in the world.
Col d'Izoard · Hautes-Alpes · Queyras
Practical tips
Before you go
Best time
Start at 7am from Arvieux. The pass is often in cloud in the afternoon in summer. In the morning the sky is clear and the light in the Casse Déserte is exceptional.
The hidden trap
The last 4 kilometres in the Casse Déserte, above 2,100 m. A headwind is frequent and strong. The gradient, which felt manageable until then, suddenly turns very hard at altitude and into the wind.
Refuelling
Fountain at the start in Arvieux. Refuge de l'Izoard at km 12, the last water point before the summit. Bring at least 2 bottles, 3 in summer.
Weather & conditions
The pass is closed from November to May. Frequent afternoon storms in July-August. Summit temperatures are often 15°C below Arvieux. A windbreaker is essential.
Access & parking
Free parking in Arvieux village. Access via the D902 from Guillestre (20 km) or from Briançon via Cervières (north side).
The MyKollectOr terminal
The MyKollectOr marker stands at the start in Arvieux. Scan it before you set off, your feat is recorded and your medal unlocked when you reach the summit.

Your feat engraved in metal

14.2 km, 1,034 m of climbing, the Casse Déserte. Your name on the Izoard medal.

Order the medal Download the GPX