2026 Car-Free Mountain Passes: Your Full Calendar to Ride Without Cars
Car-Free Cycling Passes 2026: The complete schedule of roads closed to cars in the Alps, Pyrenees, and Vosges. Ride without limits!
The road is yours. A few hours a week, from June to September, the most iconic mountain passes in France close their gates to cars and open exclusively to cyclists. No horns, no wing mirrors, no stress. If you've never experienced a col réservé, 2026 is the year to go for it.
Here is the complete calendar of cols réservés for cyclists in 2026, massif by massif.
What is a col réservé?
The concept is simple: for a few hours (generally from 9am to 12pm), a mountain road is closed to all motorised traffic. Cars, motorbikes, campervans: banned. Cyclists, e-bikes, handbikes: welcome.
Access is free, with no registration and no timing. You come at your own pace, alone, as a group, as a family. This is exactly what we love at KoMunity: cycling experiences accessible to everyone, in exceptional conditions.
These events are organised by local county councils, tourist offices and the French Cycling Federation.
Car-Free Mountain Passes in the Alps
The Alps host the most extensive program in France, with nearly 43 climbs closed to cars between May and September 2026, spread across several departments.
Hautes-Alpes & Savoie / The Grand Passes Tour
The heart of the Alpine initiative. Legendary Tour de France passes, completely car-free.
- Col de l'Iseran (2,770 m) — June 21
- Col du Galibier (2,645 m) — June 29 · July 16 · August 04
- Col du Granon (2,404 m) — June 30 · July 15 · August 12 · September 06
- Col de l'Échelle — July 01
- Col de l'Izoard (2,362 m) — July 02 · August 06
- Col Agnel (2,744 m) — July 03 · September 06
- Col du Grand Colombier — June 20 · July 11 · August 08 · September 12
- Col de la Joux Verte — July 28
- Col du Semnoz — August 04
- Col du Noyer — August 05
- Col de Vars — August 05
- Plateau de Solaison — August 25
Good to know: the Col de la Loze (2,304 m), connecting Méribel to Courchevel, is reserved for cyclists all season. An exceptional playground with gradients up to 20%.
Looking to plan a cycling trip in the Alps around these dates? Explore our trips in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and our trips in PACA, as well as all our group trips.
The reserved mountain passes in the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees are embracing intensity with an entire week of passes closed to cars, just after the Tour de France.
From July 13-17, 2026, the Aure valley and its surroundings transform into a cycling paradise. The event is called Cycl'nTrip Pyrénées, free, with no registration required, and refreshments offered at the summit of each pass.
- Monday, July 13 — Port de Balès, Col de Peyresourde, Col de Val Louron-Azet
- Tuesday, July 14 — Col du Portet, Col d'Aspin
- Wednesday, July 15 — Col du Tourmalet, Montée de Luz-Ardiden
- Thursday, July 16 — Cauterets, Hautacam
- Friday, July 17 — Col de Spandelles, Col du Soulor, Col d'Aubisque
Five days, eleven passes, 150 km of reserved roads. You can participate for 1, 2, or 5 days, depending on your preference. It's one of the most memorable cycling experiences of the summer in France.
Looking to extend your adventure in the Pyrenees? Discover our trips in Occitanie and in Nouvelle-Aquitaine as well as all our group cycling trips.
Car-Free Passes in the Vosges
Less famous than their Alpine counterparts, the Vosges passes have nevertheless had their own car-free road program since 2020: Col'Attitude. In 2026, there will be 14 climbs across 11 dates, from June to the end of September.
- June 7 — Col du Calvaire · Col du Louschbach (Lac Blanc)
- June 21 — Col des Pandours
- July 5 — Col du Loosthal
- July 19 — Grand Ballon (also featured in the 2026 Tour de France)
- August 2 — Col du Firstplan
- August 16 — La Planche des Belles Filles
- September 27 — Season closer
Free, no registration required, open to all types of bikes. Roads are closed 1 hour before the start and reopened 1 hour after. The Vosges offer an ideal alternative for those who want to experience reserved mountain passes without the summer crowds of the Alps.
The Cévennes, a program not to be missed
Since 2022, the Cévennes have been offering their own version of reserved mountain passes, under the label "7 cols en Cévennes". In 2026, 4 passes are scheduled over 8 half-days, from May to late August:
- Col de la Lusette (1 351 m)
- Col du Lac
- Col de l'Asclier
- Col du Minier
Hours: 8 AM–12 PM. Free access, no registration required. A beautiful destination to combine with a stay in Occitanie. Do not hesitate to contact us or fill out the custom travel form so that we can organize a personalized cycling trip for your dates and preferences.
Practical tips for reserved mountain passes
A few essential points before you go:
The weather changes quickly. In the mountains, even in July, always bring a windbreaker or a thermal jacket for the descent. At 2,700 m (Iseran, Agnel), temperatures can still be cool.
Respect the schedule. Roads reopen to cars as soon as the time slot ends. Plan to start your descent 15 to 30 minutes before the reopening time.
No registration needed. These events are free and open to everyone: muscle-powered cyclists, e-bikes, handbikes, and families. Just show up on the day with your bike.
Organizer vehicles may be present. The road is "closed," not "empty." Stay vigilant and ride on the right.
Combine reserved mountain passes with an organized trip with KoMunity
Reserved mountain passes are rare opportunities. Experiencing them as part of a well-organized trip—with accommodation, itineraries, and logistics taken care of—takes it to another level.
At KoMunity, an Atout France certified cycling travel agency, we create turnkey cycling trips around Europe's most beautiful routes. Whether you're looking for an active trip, a romantic getaway or a gourmet cycling experience, we customize each itinerary to your skill level and preferences.
Are you planning a trip around the 2026 reserved mountain passes? Contact us or join one of our pelotons and let KoMi handle the rest.
