Every summer, thousands of cyclists from all over Europe climb the switchbacks of the Col du Télégraphe. As the gateway to the legendary Télégraphe-Galibier chain of passes, this climb is one of the great classics of the Route des Grandes Alpes®.
Good news: this summer, the road is benefiting from new improvements designed to enhance safety and promote shared use of the space among all road users.
An iconic route in the midst of change
Commissioned by the Community of Communes Maurienne Galibier (CCMG) in partnership with the Savoie Department, the work will take place from June 16 through early July on the climb connecting Saint-Martin-d’Arc to the Col du Télégraphe. It builds on the improvements made in 2025 on the upper section of the route.
The goal is simple: to make the road clearer and more comfortable for everyone in an area where cars, motorcycles, and bicycles share the road every day.
A redesigned roadway for better shared use of the road
Among the planned changes are the creation of a marked central lane featuring bicycle pictograms, the widening of the uphill lane, and a slight narrowing of the downhill lane. New markings and regularly spaced chevron markings will improve the route’s visibility.
The work also includes removing existing markings, applying new road markings, and installing temporary signage for the duration of the project.
Raising Awareness for Better Coexistence
Safety does not depend solely on infrastructure. Alongside the construction work, the CCMG and the Savoie Department are preparing to install trilingual awareness signs featuring messages developed in collaboration with road users on the Télégraphe route.
The goal is to foster mutual understanding between cyclists and drivers, to remind everyone of best practices, and to encourage responsible behavior on this iconic Alpine route.
For cyclists heading toward the Col du Galibier, these improvements are a positive sign. They demonstrate the commitment of local stakeholders to supporting the growth of mountain biking and making the Télégraphe an increasingly welcoming pass for those who come to take on the challenge of the Alps.
This investment will benefit both valley residents and the many travelers on the Route des Grandes Alpes®, for whom the Télégraphe remains one of the main gateways to the high mountains.
