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.
At 2,764 m, the Col de l'Iseran is the highest paved pass in the Alps; the sign at the summit reads 2,770 m. It lies in Savoie and links the Haute-Tarentaise (Val-d'Isère, Bourg-Saint-Maurice) with the Haute-Maurienne (Bonneval-sur-Arc, Lanslebourg). The road was opened on 10 July 1937 by President Albert Lebrun and is part of the Route des Grandes Alpes; it was built between 1929 and 1937.
The climb from Bonneval-sur-Arc is about 13.4 km long with roughly 980 m of ascent; from Val-d'Isère it is a little over 15 km. The pass is open only in summer, generally from about June to October; early or late in the season snow can still block the road, so check road conditions beforehand (as of October 2026). Allow a good two hours for the crossing and a viewpoint stop. The road around the Cime de la Bonette (2,802 m) is higher, but it is a loop around the summit.
- Nearest town
- Bonneval-sur-Arc, France
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 45.4169, 7.0306
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually July–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and September. Cold, short days in November–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open July–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Col de l’Iseran (2,764 m). Usually open July–September; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: Go round via the Maurienne valley.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camping-car Park Bessans, Haute Maurienne VanoiseMotorhome stopover10 km from Col de l’Iseran · 48 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Piccolo ParadisoCampsite14 km from Col de l’IseranTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping de LanslevillardCampsite17 km from Col de l’IseranTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Campeggio Casa Bianca ***Campsite17 km from Col de l’Iseran · 80 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Pont BreuilCampsite18 km from Col de l’IseranTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping GrivolaCampsite23 km from Col de l’IseranTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Col de l’Iseran?
Col de l’Iseran is in Bonneval-sur-Arc, France, at GPS 45.4169, 7.0306. It is about 5 km from Val-d'Isère.
Can you camp near Col de l’Iseran?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Les Richardes, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 32 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Col de l’Iseran?
Col de l’Iseran is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Col de l’Iseran and the Maurienne passes and Glaciers, mountain cheese and high roads – by camper around Vanoise National Park.
What is there to see near Col de l’Iseran?
Places worth a stop nearby: Lac du Chevril and Tignes dam (12 km), Gran Paradiso: Valnontey (31 km), Fenestrelle Fort (42 km) and Sacra di San Michele (43 km).
When is the best time to visit Col de l’Iseran?
The most pleasant months are usually July–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)