Route des Grandes Alpes® by bike

This is the first or last stage on the Route des Grandes Alpes®, depending on the direction in which you tackle the route, leaves from or ends at Thonon-les-Bains, a resort on the south bank of Lake Geneva, one of Europe’s largest natural lakes, with its French Riviera feel. Note that Thonon-les-Bains is the starting point of the great alpine itineraries, as well as the second stage of the ViaRhôna cycling route, which links Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. Our objective being to improve the safety of cyclists and their experience of roaming, we propose here an alternative to the historical and signposted Route des Grandes Alpes®.

This second stage of the Route des Grandes Alpes® ends or begins, depending on the direction of your itinerary, a beautiful first part of the route dedicated to the crossing of the north of Haute-Savoie: from the Chablais massif to the Arve valley. This superb postcard, composed of gorges, passes, wooded slopes, mountain pastures and very beautiful villages, will delight all the cyclists. Our objective being to improve the safety of cyclists and their experience of roaming, we propose here an alternative to the historical and signposted Route des Grandes Alpes®.

On the menu on this stage is a climb worthy of a Tour de France… of which there are very many along the Route des Grandes Alpes®! Here, you tackle the Col de la Colombière pass. That’s not all, as the stage offers up several Haute-Savoie surprises: the resort of Le Grand-Bornand; the Chartreuse du Reposoir (an historic religious establishment); the Bargy Range; the Aravis Range; and the villages of Le Reposoir and Romme, perched on their natural balconies. If not in a rush, from Le Grand-Bornand village, ride to the end of the Bouchet Valley for a detour you won’t regret!

This Route des Grandes Alpes® stage between Le Grand-Bornand and Beaufort-sur-Doron passes via La Clusaz, Val d’Arly’s four mountain resorts and that of Les Saisies, plus the village of Hauteluce. You cross between the counties of Haute-Savoie and Savoie. Expect breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, typical mountain villages, plus, in summer, Alpine meadows in flower, ingredients for an unforgettable day’s cycling. It’s made all the better for having two passes to conquer: the Col des Aravis, part of the border between Savoie and Haute Savoie, and the Col des Saisies, gateway to the Beaufortain Range. NB: Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, a village equidistant between Le Grand-Bornand and La Clusaz, is the starting point for an alternative section, involving two stages, taking you via Annecy Lake.

The " Lake Annecy " variant of the Route des Grandes Alpes® ! We propose you a new itinerary, by the Marais pass, the Val Sulens, Faverges, the green way of the Tour du Lac d'Annecy and its cycle track, until Saint-Jorioz and the ascent of the Leschaux pass. But, you can also embellish the day, by making the loop of the pass of Plan Bois (1299 m), from Thônes. Or, by going to the Semnoz (1670 m), from the col de Leschaux. You can also choose another itinerary towards the lake, by the pass of Bluffy (630 m) and the castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard, one of the architectural jewels of Haute-Savoie.

This is a beautiful linking stage on the Route des Grandes Alpes®, marked by the crossing of the Bauges Range, with its Global Geopark, and the discovery of the former Winter Olympics town of Albertville, as well as the climb to the Beaufortain Range. There’s just one pass along the way – the Col du Frêne (950m), gateway to and from the Massif des Bauges, the climb much more challenging when tackled from the south. To avoid the main road between Albertville and Beaufort-sur-Doron, take the short alternative route via the Col des Cyclotouristes (1330m).

A magnificent Route des Grandes Alpes® stage, taking you between the Beaufortain area and the Tarentaise Valley via breathtaking landscapes. Water accompanies you along the way, while Mont Blanc is never far off. Much closer by, the toothy rocky summit of La Pierre Menta watches over your progress. The route wends its way beside lakes, dams and Alpine meadows and up summits, with the climb to the top of the Cormet de Roselend (1968 m) the highpoint, perched above the lake of the same name. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice, choose either to continue along the classic route in the direction of Val-d’Isère and the Col de l’Iseran pass, or to join the Maurienne Valley along an alternative way via the Col de La Madeleine.

A transitional stage it may be, but what an ending it provides, coming from the north, as, once you’ve ridden past Tignes Lake and its gigantic dam, you arrive at Val-d'Isère, one of the most famous of all ski resorts. In its exceptional setting on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, Val-d’Isère is both one of France’s most prestigious ski resorts and a marvellously polished village. It also serves as a kind of base camp for the highest pass along the Route des Grandes Alpes®, the Col de l’Iseran (2764m). Do consider staying here a few days, alternating between cycling, hiking and just drinking in the local atmosphere.

This stage includes the iconic switch from Tarentaise to Maurienne Valley, via the Col de la Madeleine (1993m). This pass also proves very useful for those tackling the Route des Grandes Alpes® when the Col de l’Iseran above Val d’Isère remains closed. We can also put forward an extra suggestion, only suitable for adventurous, exceptionally fit cyclists – a long detour going from Moutiers, via Brides-les-Bains, up to the Col de la Loze (2304m), exploiting the high-altitude greenway between Méribel and Courchevel; its continuous steep slopes, sometimes at gradients of over 20%, made for one of the most spectacular stage ends on the 2020 Tour de France.

This beautiful stage links two Maurienne resorts. It involves tackling the 18 hairpin bends up to Montvernier, along the way to the Col du Chaussy pass (1533m), nowadays considered almost as iconic as those of L’Alpe d’Huez and the Col du Télégraphe pass. At the beginning or end of the stage, depending on the direction in which you’re tackling the route, enjoy a large mountain resort that’s also a very pretty extended village – the aptly named Valloire-Galibier!

Head out to conquer one of the giants along the Route des Grandes Alpes®, the Col de l’Iseran pass (2764m)! A summer link between the Savoie region’s two great upper valleys, the Tarentaise and the Maurienne, this is without doubt one of the most beautiful passes in the whole of the Alps, as well as boasting the highest Alpine road pass. Even in summer it may be lined with piles of snow. Certainly you’ll feel high up in the mountains, enjoying breathtaking views! On the Maurienne side, or rather, the Haute Maurienne – Vanoise side, before arriving at Val-Cenis, you cross Bonneval-sur-Arc, a member of the association of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, its houses topped by stone tiles, and Bessans, a magnificent place for cross-country skiing and biatholons, internationally renowned for these sports.

Yes, this is a linking stage on the Route des Grandes Alpes®, but not any old linking stage, as here you ride along the edge of the Vanoise National Park, through the heart of the Haute-Maurienne Vanoise area. Leaving Val-Cenis, you begin your descent towards Modane, crossing the pretty villages of Termignon, Sollières-Sardières, Bramans, Avrieux and, if you go a bit away from the route, Aussois. Modane is a town undergoing a major transformation and from which you can cross into Italy via the Fréjus road and rail tunnel. You reach Valloire having scaled the Col du Télégraphe pass, topped by the fort of the same name.

This is an alternative section along the Route des Grandes Alpes® that takes you briefly across into Italy. Its first stage links Val-Cenis, the main resort of the Haute-Maurienne Vanoise area, to Oulx, in the province of Turin, in the Italian region of Piedmont, going via the Col du Mont-Cenis pass. On the menu are magnificent views, Mont-Cenis Lake and the Musée de la Pyramide, explaining the pass’s history, the forts of Exilles and Ronce, and the charming little towns of the Susa Valley… not forgetting Italian mountain charcuterie, pasta, cappuccini and more!

An innovation along the Route des Grandes Alpes®! You can of course take the classic route via the Col du Montgenèvre, just above Briançon. However, we can suggest this other route, via the Col de l’Échelle pass (1762m) and the splendid Clarée Valley, one of the gems of the county of Hautes-Alpes. You cross the Les Cerces Range, its pointed mountains dominated by the iconic Mont Thabor, drawing many hikers as well as skiers. Running beside the Italian border, the Clarée Valley is a protected natural area, ranging between 1400m and 2000m above sea level, that boasts unspoilt nature and heritage. Briançon, at the beginning or end of this beautiful stage, has Ville d’Art et d’Histoire status, given its rich heritage, and its fortifications form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering works designed by Vauban, Louis XIV’s great military architect.

If riding south from Valloire along the Route des Grandes Alpes®, you’ll soon understand why the Maurienne’s largest mountain resort has added the word ‘‘Galibier’’ to its name. In contrast, heading north, you first have to tackle the Col du Lautaret pass (2057m) before the Col du Galibier (2642m), after which you can enjoy a giant glide down (descending 1300m in altitude) to the aptly-named Valloire-Galibier. Whichever way you take on this stage, crossing the frontier between France’s Northern and Southern Alps makes for a memorable occasion, with staggering views over the glaciers of the Écrins Range. Briançon, at the start or end of the stage, has been awarded the status of Ville d’Art et d’Histoire for its rich heritage and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Vauban fortifications.

Here’s a stage set entirely within the Maurienne Valley along the Route des Grandes Alpes®, giving you the chance to ride through what’s described as ‘‘the largest mountain cycling area in the world’’! It links the Haute-Maurienne Vanoise area to the villages going from the Upper Maurienne Valley to the Arvan Valley, dominated by the iconic three sharp summits of the Aiguilles d’Arves, arguably the most beautiful trio of mountains in the French Alps. On this stage, you also cross the Maurienne Valley’s three main towns, Modane, Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. As to Saint-Jean-d’Arves and its close neighbour Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, they remain traditional villages with family-oriented resorts, part of Les Sybelles ski area.

This stage takes you to the Col de la Croix de Fer pass (2064m) and up to L’Alpe d’Huez (1850m), with 21 hairpin bends to reach the latter! It’s an option we recommend for you to avoid the first part of the way to the Col du Lautaret pass, between Le Bourg-d’Oisans and Le Chambon Lake. On this stage, you’ll jump between the counties of Savoie and Isère, take in amazing views of the Aiguilles d’Arve and Mont Blanc, and ride alongside the manmade lakes of Grand’Maison and Le Verney, as well as beside the Eau d’Olle River.

This route we’ve chosen between Le Bourg-d’Oisans and Briançon, going via L’Alpe d’Huez, enables cyclists to avoid the dangerous section of road (including numerous tunnels) between Le Bourg-d’Oisans and Le Chambon Lake. Our alternative delivers stunning views over the Oisans Range and the towering La Meije Mountain. Enjoy many unforgettable discoveries along the way on this magnificent Route des Grandes Alpes® stage: the rough shepherds’ route up to the Col de Sarenne pass (1999m); the village of La Grave and the little valleys around La Meije; the Col du Lautaret pass; the wild landscapes of the Romanche Gorges; the descent of the Guisane Valley; and the arrival in Briançon, designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, its Vauban fortifications part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Depending on the direction in which you’re tackling the route, this iconic stage is either the first or the last on the southern half of the Route des Grandes Alpes®. It presents you with two cycling gems. The first is the climb to the Col de l’Izoard (2360m), passing via the Casse Déserte where, in the midst of impressive, arid surrounds, curious rocky spikes rise from the ground. The second is the crossing of the Queyras Natural Regional Park, dotted with beautiful villages, notably Arvieux and Château-Queyras, the latter with its 13th-century fortress. The giant Monte Viso Mountain looks down on it all from the Italian border. The two book ends stops on this stage are also remarkable: Guillestre, a pretty, colourful little town; and Briançon, awarded Ville d'Art & d'Histoire status for its rich heritage and forming part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Vauban fortifications.

This Route des Grandes Alpes® stage links the Queyras and Ubaye areas, and the counties of Hautes-Alpes and Alpes de Haute-Provence. In addition, it offers stunning views to the Écrins Range. The highlight, and high point, is the Col de Vars pass (2108m), demanding a 1111m shift in altitude. Pretty villages like Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye and Jausiers, along with splendid landscapes, are the rewards along this stage. Barcelonnette, a charming little town with a distinctive colonial style recalling its strong connections with Mexico – hence its renowned villas mexicaines – has a unique atmosphere among Alpine stops. If you wish to explore Serre-Ponçon Lake, then take the alternative stage via Embrun to the lakeside.

This alternative stage takes you from the Route des Grandes Alpes® to Serre-Ponçon Lake… a stage leading to the possibility of a swim, as there are numerous beaches dotted around the lake! Further delights include: the pretty historic town of Embrun, famed for its XXL triathlon; the curious geological formations known as the Demoiselles Coiffées, like behatted figures; Serre-Ponçon Dam; the Ubaye Valley’s villages; and the town of Barcelonnette with its Mexican villas. On this friendly stage you don’t have to worry about tackling any significant climbs!

A lovely 77km-long stage that includes taking on the Col de la Cayolle pass (2326m), one of the wildest along the Route des Grandes Alpes®, on the border between the counties of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes Maritimes. If cycling south, there’s also the Col de Valberg pass (1671m) to climb, leading to Valberg itself, set in the Haut-Pays Niçois (part of Nice Métropole’s soaring hinterland), a mountain resort that has kept its village feel and been awarded Flocon Vert status for its commitment to sustainable tourism. The landscapes are vast and unspoilt as you cross a portion of the Mercantour National Park; cyclists may be surprised by their austere openness and be tempted to dismount for a little walk. Going down the Val d’Entraunes following the Var River to Guillaumes is a pure delight.

A lovely Route des Grandes Alpes® stage crossing the Mercantour National Park, sticking very close to the Italian border and linking Ubaye and Tinée Valleys via one of Europe’s highest roads. At the Col de la Bonette pass, you can take a short 2km tour, via a small road, to the Cime (or summit) de La Bonnette, enjoying the grandiose lunar landscapes around it. Do dismount to walk along the little track to the viewing table, offering unbeatable views of the great Italian frontier mountain, Monte Viso. On the stretch through the northern part of the Tinée Valley, discover its highest pretty villages.

This section of the Route des Grandes Alpes®, linking the Tinée and Vésubie Valleys, runs alongside the mountain resorts of Auron and Isola 2000 and crosses that of La Colmiane (around the Col Saint Martin pass). It allows you to discover extremely beautiful villages such as Saint-Sauveur-sur Tinée, La Bolline, Saint-Dalmas and Valdeblore, plus the lovely, slightly larger perched settlement of Saint-Martin-Vésubie. Also consider the beautiful high-altitude villages of Roure and Roubion close to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, although not directly along this section. The Col Saint Martin pass (1503m) marks the point where you switch from Tinée to Vésubie Valley.

A superb stage on the Route des Grandes Alpes®, with grandiose landscapes, views to the Mercantour’s summits, vast red cliffs, villages either nestling down in the valleys or perched on cliffs. Among them, Roubion, a medieval eagle’s eyrie with narrow lanes, is well worth a detour, as is Saint-Martin-Vésubie, a wonderfully colourful village located either at the start or end of this sporty outing, requiring almost 1600m in shift in altitude. There are two passes to conquer: the Col de la Couillole (1678m), between Valberg and the Tinée Valley; and the Col Saint Martin (1503m), which, with the little mountain resort of La Colmiane beside it, links Tinée and Vésubie Valleys.

This Route des Grandes Alpes® stage covering the Vésubie Valley and Haut-Pays Niçois takes you over the Col de Turini pass (1607 m), made famous by the Monte Carlo Car Rally. Also on the menu are: the magnificently colourful village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie; La Bollène Vésubie, a beautifully rounded hilltop village; grandiose landscapes combining gorges and perched promontories; and the small town of Sospel, with its picturesque squares and lanes… not forgetting Roquebillière, the Côte d’Azur’s thermal spa resort, protected from summer heatwaves thanks to its location, at 600m above sea level.

Now here’s an unforgettable day’s cycling! Coming from the north, with your legs feeling the effects of tackling the Route des Grandes Alpes® (in part or in its entirety), the sight of the Mediterranean, signalling the end of your cycling adventure, can bring out powerful emotions! In contrast, heading north from Nice’s sumptuous Promenade des Anglais, you may feel giddy at the thought of all the cycling adventures to come. On the menu along this maritime stage are two significant rises, taking you to the Col d’Èze (507m) and the Col de Castillon (703m), as well as the resort of Menton and stunning views down on Monaco.