# Col de l’Iseran and the Maurienne passes

> 3-day road trip of about 159 km (99 mi) with 9 stops, from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Bourg-d'Oisans. About 2 h 12 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b12-iseran-maurienne/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 159 km (99 mi) with 9 stops, from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Bourg-d'Oisans. About 2 h 12 min of driving in total. Over the highest paved pass in the Alps, down the Maurienne valley and across the Croix de Fer to the hairpins of Alpe d’Huez.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 159 km (99 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 12 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Bourg-Saint-Maurice → Le Bourg-d'Oisans |
| Countries | France |
| Updated | July 5, 2026 |

## Route description

This trip only works in summer: the Col de l’Iseran usually opens in June and closes in early October, and the Croix de Fer has a similar season. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice take the D902 up the Isère valley, through avalanche galleries, to the Tignes dam. Stop in the lay-by above Lac du Chevril to see the painted giant on the dam wall.

Beyond Val-d’Isère the road climbs in wide bends to the Col de l’Iseran at 2,764 m, the highest paved pass in the Alps. There is a small chapel and a café at the top. The descent to Bonneval-sur-Arc is steep but not too narrow, and the village of stone houses with stone roofs is a good place to stop for lunch.

Follow the Arc down the Maurienne through Lanslebourg and Modane to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, about 80 km. From there the D926 climbs through Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves to the Col de la Croix de Fer, with views of the Aiguilles d’Arves. The upper section is narrow and exposed in places; motorhomes over about 8 m will find it slow going.

Descend on the D526 past the Grand’Maison reservoir to Allemont and turn up to Le Bourg-d’Oisans. From there drive the 21 hairpins of Alpe d’Huez, each bend signed with the names of Tour de France stage winners, and come back down the same way. The valley has several campsites, and the Galibier and the Lautaret, on the Route des Grandes Alpes, are within reach for another day.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Bourg-Saint-Maurice** (France)
2. **Lac du Chevril and Tignes dam** (Tignes, France): A reservoir that drowned the old village of Tignes in 1952. The 180 m dam wall carries a huge painted giant, and a lay-by on the D902 above the lake gives the best view.
3. **Val-d'Isère** (France)
4. **Col de l’Iseran** (Bonneval-sur-Arc, France): At 2,764 m the highest paved pass in the Alps, linking the Tarentaise and the Maurienne on the D902. It is usually open from June to early October; snow walls line the road early in the season.
5. **Bonneval-sur-Arc** (France)
6. **Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne** (France)
7. **Col de la Croix de Fer** (Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, France): A 2,067 m pass marked by an iron cross, with views of the three sharp Aiguilles d’Arves. The D926 and D526 are narrow in places and closed from about November to May.
8. **Alpe d’Huez hairpins** (Huez, France): The famous climb of 21 numbered hairpins from Le Bourg-d’Oisans, each bend signed with the names of Tour de France stage winners here. The road is wide and open all year; expect cyclists at every turn.
9. **Le Bourg-d'Oisans** (France)

## FAQs

**How long is Col de l’Iseran and the Maurienne passes?**
3-day road trip of about 159 km (99 mi) with 9 stops, from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Bourg-d'Oisans. About 2 h 12 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Col de l’Iseran and the Maurienne passes?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 12 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Col de l’Iseran and the Maurienne passes start and end?**
It starts in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and ends in Le Bourg-d'Oisans.

**Which countries does Col de l’Iseran and the Maurienne passes pass through?**
France.