Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000

Difficulty points	1122
Length	12.8 mi
Average gradient	7.2%
Steepest segment	11.3%
Total ascent	4865 ft

Reviews (6)

5.0

4.0

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Philippe_leluan ^premium

7 Mo 5.0 via the Climbfinder app

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

The pass is long but magnificent and well worth the diversions. It starts off very steeply and then you pick up your pace on the 7％wThe part after isola 2000 is tough.

WernerVanSteen ^premium

8 Mo 3.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Ridden 17 September 2025
Fairly long climb from Isola (20.5km).
From Isola it starts immediately steep at 9-11％ for 3km. In those first kilometres you see a mountain right in front of you ; it gives you an idea of the altimeters you still have to do.... Afterwards it flattens out. Between km 7 and km 8 on a series of short consecutive hairpins, it climbs again on average at +/- 10％. Then up to Isola 2000 doable. After the village up to the col again good climbing.
Nice wide road everywhere with reasonably good tarmac.
After climbing and then descending to Isola, I drove up by car to check the Italian side. Unlike the French side, this one is much nicer and unspoilt!
https://climbfinder.com/nl/beklimmingen/col-de-la-lombarde-pratolungo
Especially around 15 September when the plantlets at the top start to turn beautiful red (as I saw on 17 Sept 2025).
Too bad I didn't know that earlier because then I would definitely have opted for the Italian side which are almost comparable in terms of length and difficulty, by the way.

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000

Titouan-GBN

10 Mo 5.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

A magnificent summit! Despite a long first section on the road to Isola 2000, once you leave the resort the road narrows and magnificent Alpine panoramas appear all the way to the summit.

FallingManSA

1 y 4.0

Added this climb as the last mountains day of a bikepacking tour of the Alpe Maritime region. Isola is a pleasant village at the base and great place for a meal especially as Isola 2000 is very quiet out of season. The Isold 2000 climb initially steep is quite relentless and one of the harder climbs in my opinion (hence the pros use it for training camps). I stayed overnight at Isola 2000 so Col de la Lombarde is a nice start to the following day - and fun to reach the Italian border from a touring perspective - before descending down to the village for breakfast and then all the way to the coast at Nice. Just adding my story as Climbfinder was very helpful throughout my trip in the region. Thank you.

patrickbaert ^premium

5 y 4.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

In August 2018, I cycled up the French side of this literally cross-border Col
First kilometres are immediately steep (+10％) to quickly leave departure town Isola, on the Tinée River, deep below us. Middle part is less steep and curvy and the last 4 km. after the ski station we have a good climb on a narrower road through hairpin turns, winding above the tree line in the middle of a rough and uninhabited mountain scenery to the summit at the border.
The initially wide route is built to bring many winter sports people safely to the ski station Isola 2000 but is absolutely no fast highway but beautifully constructed with lots of hairpin bends, bridges over the river, some short tunnels, in a beautiful natural setting with hardly any traffic in summer. The ski station remains of course something built by people in the mountains but it is not so bad.

There were bike infoboards every kilometer with height, distance to the top and gradient. Most of them were on the other side, left of the road.
You can get supplies at the start, in the ski station and a mobile snack bar on the top.

This beauty you should not let you pass!
Incomprehensible that both Giro and Tour barely include it in their ride schedule.
The Italian side is even more beautiful!

Xim

5 y 3.0

This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

A lesser known climb but certainly not to be underestimated, the first 3 and last 3 km are tough. In between it is a runner but the length and height make it a tough climb. The descent Italian side is fabulously beautiful but very narrow and technical. The French side is much wider and less beautiful.

Climbing times

5 mph	02:34:20
7 mph	01:49:16
9 mph	01:25:09
12 mph	01:03:58

Road surface condition

78% 11% 11%

Based on 9 votes

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Traffic

63% 13% 25%

Based on 8 votes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Col de la Lombarde can be cycled from 3 sides. Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 is the most popular side, but the summit can also be reached via Col de la Lombarde from Pratolungo & Col de la Lombarde from Pratolungo via La Maigheria.

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 is a challenging ascent. For this type of climbing, we recommend mountain gearing, specifically a compact system. This means a small front chainring of 34 teeth, combined with a rear cassette where, depending on your level, strength, and experience, you choose a sprocket with 30, 32, or even 34 teeth. Remember that a smooth cadence is always more efficient!

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 belongs to the Hors Catégorie, the top category. These are legendary and very tough climbs. A solid cycling condition, experience, and a good climbing gear ratio are essential to maintain a smooth cadence and complete the climb comfortably.

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 is 12.8 mi long.

The average gradient of Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 is 7.2%.

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 11.3%.

The summit of Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 is at 7700 ft.

At a slow pace of 5 mph, it takes about 02:34:20 to climb Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000. At 7 mph the time is 01:49:16, and at 9 mph 01:25:09. For the fastest cyclists, 01:03:58 is an achievable time.

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 is located in the region Alpes-Maritimes in France.

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000

Statistics

Short recap

Photos (21)

Reviews (6)

Climbing times

Road surface condition

Traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000

Statistics

Short recap

Photos (21)

Reviews (6)

Climbing times

Road surface condition

Traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

Which sides of the Col de la Lombarde can be cycled up?

What gearing is needed for Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000?

How difficult is the Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000?

How long is the climb up Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000?

What is the gradient of Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000?

What is the steepest part of Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000?

How high is Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000?

How long does it take to cycle up Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000?

Where is Col de la Lombarde from Isola via Isola 2000 located?