Which mountain pass is traditionally the highest point of the Tour de France route?

The Col de l’Iseran is traditionally the highest paved mountain pass used by the Tour de France, rising to 2,764 metres in the French Alps. It links the Isère and Arc valleys and forms part of the Route des Grandes Alpes.

The pass has appeared in the Tour several times, and its altitude makes it especially significant when the race crosses the Alps. High mountain stages can be affected by weather, altitude, steep gradients and reduced oxygen availability, even for elite riders.

The Col de l’Iseran should not be confused with famous climbs such as Alpe d’Huez or Mont Ventoux. Those climbs are iconic for their history and difficulty, but they are not the highest road pass associated with the Tour. The race’s highest point can vary by edition, depending on the route selected by organizers.