Col d'Ornon Ride Review

If you’re after a shorter less committing bike ride than the infamous 21 bends up to Alpe D’Huez, the Col D’Ornon is a great option from the same starting point. The ride is easily done in less than two hours and there are certainly no compromises on the scenery!

Starting in the cycling hub of Bourg D’Oisans, head up the valley towards Grenoble . Rather than heading off to the right to the beginning of the Alpe D’Huez climb, carry on along the flat for about another 2 km until you reach a turning on the left signposted to Ornon.

From here you will climb steadily for 11.5 km on a leisurely average gradient of 5.7%. Although there are steeper sections, they are well balanced with flatter moments making this a very manageable ride. 

The steep cliffs lining the road are incredibly impressive and you’ll also be rewarded with beautiful glimpses across the valley. The villages of Ornon and La Poutuire towards to the top of the hill are also very quaint and pretty - for me, passing through small clusters of chalets in the mountains like this is what road biking is all about!

The Col D’Ornon round trip from Bourg D’Oisans is around 28km in total with 690m of climbing and a maximum elevation of 1370m.

Allow 1.5 - 2 hours.