This is a wonderful and often overlooked climb in the area. There is one problem with the climb and that is that there is a 2.5 km long section of flat gravel, which usually have a place or two that are rather bad, on the nicest side from Le Bourg-d’Oisans (724m). This is unfortunate, but many road bicyclists have had the courage to go up this side nonetheless and it is rewarding as the asphalt road is great (apart from the dark unlit tunnels). After a short while on the gravel section you also get the best views from any road of the Alpe d’Huez (1810m) climb, which in itself might be a reason to try this climb.

However, there is also the fully asphalted side from La Paute (722m) at the start of the climb over Col d’Ornon (1370m). You can then go down just a little on the other side or up on a road a bit higher than the pass to get some good views over to Alpe d’Huez. Both sides are fairly hard, but the climb from Bourg d’Oisans is a bit steeper. (Search on Salite.ch for ‘Solude’.)