Agnel, at 2,744 meters and the second-highest road pass in the French Alps, is out-of-the-ordinary . But not just for cyclists! It’s a destination, a starting point and a gateway to another world, the immense Italian Val Varaita. The breath of fresh air, the sense of adventure, with Mount Viso and other crazy peaks like the Taillante and Asti Peak. When you emerge from this improbable asphalt serpentine shared by cars, motorcycles and bicycles, the wind slaps you gently in the face. Put your sweater on before opening the door! You’ll gaze at the north glaciers of the Ecrins or at the south showing the Italian Alps. The Agnel Pass is one of those high places that does everything but leave you indifferent.
Col Agnel Côté Italien
Col AgnelWhat about you? Will you feel the same light, jubilant vertigo when you’ll look over the pass? Italians and French meet there on a “tour du Queyras”, for a picnic. We measure ourselves against each other on the pedals. We say hello to each other like good bikers during an Alpine crossing. Some discover life in a refuge, others come to admire the strange red brick wall that runs through the mountain. Many clever people leave to do their first 3,000m on the Caramantran peak (if it’s your first too, you pay the drinks!) or a nice climbing route. If you’re hiking towards the big lakes, you’ll come across a shepherd, his hundreds of sheep and his big white dogs, the patou dogs, that do their job by barking loudly… At the Agnel Pass, the happiest people are those who take their time.
