A tear and a loop. You’re utterly drained. You’ve run out of sugar, electrolytes, and even curses. Several kilometers of 12% inclines twist like a rope, ending in a 2-kilometer loop that circles the summit of Cime de la Bonette (2,860 m). You pray you’ve chosen the easier path as the road splits near the top. Welcome to Col de la Bonette—the Tour de France route to the highest paved road in Europe.
This is the view and the emotions awaiting you after climbing nearly 1,600 vertical meters. Officially, the Col de la Bonette holds the title of Europe’s highest paved road. It was part of the Tour de France in 2008 and 2015, and conquering its summit is a test of willpower and endurance.
Giro vs. Tour de France
Every passionate road cyclist, or “Stravaholic,” should experience at least one Tour de France route in their lifetime. Why? Three excellent reasons:
- The French make outstanding wine.
- They craft world-class cheese.
- And their baguettes? Simply unbeatable.
Not to downplay the prestige of the Giro d’Italia, of course. But the Giro’s appeal comes with a different set of perks:
- Italians brew the best espresso for just €1—even at gas stations. The French can’t compete.
- Our friend Vilko loves Italian gelato, and we love Vilko.
The Col de la Bonette
After my first climb to Col de la Bonette, I didn’t just guzzle two beers, devour seven scoops of gelato, and consume an ungodly amount of magnesium—I also did my research on vertical meters. That’s when I discovered that the “highest pass in Europe” claim is actually a CykloHoax.
CykloHoax: A false or misleading claim designed to confuse and mislead dedicated Stravaholics, causing them to pursue lesser cycling goals instead of true high-altitude achievements.
Is Col de la Bonette really the highest mountain pass?
Not exactly. The pass itself peaks at 2,715 m, but several Alpine passes surpass that altitude:
- Col de l’Iseran (2,770 m)
- Stelvio Pass (2,757 m)
- Col Agnel (2,744 m)
And if we extend the search to all of Europe, Spain’s Veleta Road in the Sierra Nevada reaches an impressive 3,392 m, though it’s not fully paved.
So, while Col de la Bonette isn’t the highest pass, the loop circling the summit at Cime de la Bonette (2,860 m) makes it the highest paved road. Its maximum elevation is 2,802 m, but the road technically doesn’t lead through the summit—it loops around it.
Still, starting the climb from Jausiers is no joke. The charming town serves as the gateway to Col de la Bonette (GPX) and several other iconic passes, including Col de Larche, Col de la Cayolle, Col d’Allos, and Col de Vars—all regular fixtures in the Tour de France.
From Jausiers to Col de la Bonette
The climb from Jausiers spans 47 kilometers with over 1,700 meters of elevation gain. Why would anyone voluntarily subject themselves to this in their free time—and even pay for the privilege?
Is it the challenge? The endorphins? An addiction? It’s like a drug. 💉
One morning, a TV presenter on a commercial station gushed about Alpine ascents:
“And now, meet an athlete who conquered Europe’s highest road—the Stelvio Pass—on two wheels!”
I thought, “Big deal—I know hundreds of cycling maniacs who’ve done it, myself included (four times!).”
Then, they brought him on: a leather-clad motorcyclist. With dramatic flair, he said, “It was the ride of my life. The clutch almost gave out, but I kept going, leaned into every turn, and made it to the top.”
I nearly fell out of my chair. “Seriously? That’s your big achievement?” I muttered. Clearly, standards for “athletes” vary widely.
Cyclist vs. Biker
On the climb to Col de la Bonette, we encountered dozens of cyclists—but also hundreds of bikers. They buzzed past us repeatedly, coming dangerously close at times. They were everywhere, fast and fearless, delivering their “performance of a lifetime”: staying upright, shifting gears correctly, leaning into turns, and avoiding clutch slippage.
We all reached the top eventually—motorcyclists and cyclists alike. We cyclists were a bit slower, sure, but the joy of reaching the summit was shared by all.
One biker added an unexpected twist to the day’s finale. He parked his machine, strolled over to me, and asked if he could lift my bike.
“Sure,” I said with a grin.
Without hesitation, he shed his leather jacket, hoisted my bike over his head, and posed for a photo taken by his passenger. Cyclists on the roof of the Alps encounter all sorts of surprises.
Spotting the True Athletes
How can you tell a cyclist from a motorcyclist at the summit?
- The cyclist is grinning from ear to ear, drenched in sweat, exhausted, and radiating happiness. They’re devouring sandwiches, gulping protein bars, and snapping photos.
- The motorcyclist? They light a cigarette, take a casual stroll, snap a selfie, and ride off.
Thanks in part to Peter Sagan, the Tour de France (La Grande Boucle) enjoys unprecedented popularity in Slovakia. And for that, we cheer him on and hold him in high regard.
So, is Col de la Bonette worth the climb? Absolutely. It’s not just a road—it’s a story, an adventure, and a challenge that leaves a mark on every cyclist bold enough to take it on.
