This is one of my absolute favorite alpine passes. It's a motorcyclist's playground! Spectacular road and scenery on both sides of the summit, and I could not pick a favorite side. One poster wrote that it's a bit dodgy towards Guillestre, and I know what he means, but I still enjoy it. Narrow, with a few tight tunnels, and gravel, but enjoyable nonetheless.
flying_hunFrom Briancon the road climbsfor approximately 11km stating with flowing bends. The final 3km of the climb is an awesome series of hairpins and then some very open flowing bend and interspersed hairpins. The hairpins are quite tight and the road surface is good. After the summit 2360m the road surface deteriorates but is still good enoiugh to ride quickly - mostly sweeping curves and tight bends through woodland. The final 5km is through a gorge - very quick in places but watch out for trucks on the last 2km.