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From Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, from Thonon les Bains to Menton, this itinerary is one of the great classics that we all dream of doing once in our lifetime. One by one, the massifs of the Alps unfold: Aravis, Beaufortain, Vanoise, Ecrins, Queyras, Mercantour, including the mythical passes of the Tour de France: Iseran, Galibier, Izoard, the Turini and many more …
A great trip, just a step away from us!
Physical Shape:
Distance and elevation gain:100 to 150km per day depending on the gradient
You: train regularly, are in good physical condition, and are accustomed to cycling more than 100 km in a day.
Duration : 8 days
2010 Dates:8th – 15th May, 5th – 12th June 19th – 26 June, 10th – 17th July, 24th – 31st July,
7th -14th August, 21st – 28th August, 18th – 25th September, 2nd – 9th October
Price : 1030 € / $1,440
Accompanied: The driver of the support vehicle will take your luggage to the accommodation, and will be at the groups disposal if and when needed.
Accommodation: Gîte (charming typical accommodation) (or hotel option, double or single rooms possible).
You only carry the things you need for the day, a support vehicle will take your luggage from gîte to gîte.
The highlights of this trip
- A mythical route.
- The great variety of alpine landscapes, from the Northern to the Southern Alps.
- Breathtaking views over the mountains as far as the eye can see …
Day by day
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Day1: Thonon les Bains – La Clusaz
The passes:
• Col de Joux Plane (1 712 m)
• Col de la Colombiere (1613 m)
Highlights:
• The bucolic Giffre valley, from Samoens to Taninges
• The Portes du Soleil region (Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz)
• The Val d’Abondance and its typical haute – Savoyard atmosphere.
• The Gorges and Devil’s Bridge
• The views of Mont Blanc
• Colombière Pass: the first real challenge of the week, and also the first really beautiful Alpine pass …
• Le Grand Bornand, Edgar Grospiron’s and Regine Cavagnoud’s resort.
Distance traveled: about 115 km / Elevation gain: about 2 950 m.
Day 2: La Clusaz – Bourg Saint Maurice
The passes:
• Col des Aravis (1486 m)
• Col des Saisies (1650m)
• Col du Joly (1989m / optional)
• Col du Pré (1703 m)
• Cormet de Roselend (1967 m)
Highlights:
• Crossing the Aravis mountains by the Aravis pass.
• Passing through Les Saisies resort, an Olympic Cross-country skiing domain.
• The breathtaking view of Mont Blanc from the Col du Joly (on the way and way back).
• Crossing the Beaufortain, a very active agricultural massif, specializing in Beaufort cheese production (possible visit of the cooperative)
• The dizzying road of the Pré pass and the famous village of Boudin, clinging to the steep hillside …
• The turquoise waters of Lake Roselend, surrounded by alpine pastures…
Distance traveled: 110 km / Elevation gain: about 2 200 m (not including the Joly Pass). (Including the Col de Joly: Add 900 meters elevation gain and 28km) |
Day 3: Bourg Saint Maurice – Lanslebourg
The pass: Col de l’Iseran (2 762m)
Highlights:
• The connection between two of the largest valleys in the Alps: the Tarentaise and Maurienne
• The Iseran pass: simply one of the most beautiful in the Alps …
• The views of the Vanoise
• The villages where time stands still (The Mirror, The Gurraz …)
Distance: 85 km / Elevation gain: about 2 200 m
Day 4: Lanslebourg – Briançon
The passes:
• Col de la Croix de Fer (2067 m)
• Col du Glandon (1924 m)
• Col du Lautaret (2058 m)
Highlights:
• A very difficult stage, some prefer to take a shortcut passing directly through Galibier … (See option 1)
• A series of legendary passes of the Tour de France!
• Views of les Grandes Rousses, les Ecrins …
• Briançon, a "mecca" of the Alps.
Distance travelled: 150 km / Elevation gain: about 2 900 m. |
Day 5: Briancon – Barcelonnette
The passes:
• Col de l’Izoard (2360 m)
• Col de Vars (2109 m)
Highlights:
• The sensation when passing from the northern to the southern Alps with its larch forests.
• The magnificent high valley of Ubaye
• The impressive Tournoux fort
• Col de Vars: one of the Alps highest passes with over 1000m elevation gain on either side …
Distance traveled: 105 km / Elevation gain: about 2 100 m.
Day 6: Barcelonnette – Col de la Couillole
The passes:
• Col d’Allos (2250 m)
• Col des Champs (2087 m)
• Col de Valberg (1650m)
• Col de la Couillole (1678 m)
Highlights:
• Passing from the Ubaye valley to the high Verdon valley by the ancient road of Col d’Allos.
• Col des Champs: a superb ascent by a scenic remote road in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.
• Bachelard Gorges
Distance traveled: 120 km / Elevation gain: about 2 500 m. |
Day 7: Col de la Couillole – Col de Turini
The passes:
• Col de Saint-Martin (1500 m)
• Col de Turini (1604 m)
Highlights:
• The winding mountain roads amongst the typical landscape of the "Southern Alps": barren with larches and pines …
• The Roubion village in the Tinée valley.
• The "Red gorges" of Tinée valley and its raging river.
• The Turini pass, the last big challenge of our journey… Enjoy!
Distance: 80 km / Elevation gain: about 2 100 m.
Day 8 : Col de Turini – Menton
The passes:
• Col de l’Orme (1005)
• Col de Ablé (1169 m)
• Col de Braus (1002 m)
• Col de Castillon (370 m)
Highlights:
• Cycling in the knowledge that you have completed the last Alpine challenge of the tour …
• A stunning series of small passes (Orme, Able, Braus) with great views of the Mediterranean.
• You arrive at the sea!!!…
Distance traveled: about 55 km / Elevation gain: 200 m
It’s now time to say our "goodbyes", but what a journey! …
NB: The distances and elevation gain quoted are purely indicative. |
The price includes:
From meeting on day 1 to the departure on day 8, in the normal course of the program, the following services are included:
• Full board:
- Lunches: picnic or snacks.
- Morning and evening: at a gîte: A hot and balanced copious dinner and full breakfast.
• The gîte accommodation at each stage of the tour
• Support vehicle and driver who transports the luggage and is at the cyclists disposal in case of problems.
• A detailed "roadmap" of the tour.
The price does not include:
• Your transport to the meeting point.
• Insurance and assistance
• Drinks in the accommodation
• Visits to museums, monuments and sites not planned in the program
• Additional travel related to changes in the program due to weather conditions
• All personal expenses
• Anything not listed in the "price includes" section.
- Tipping to leader, guides and local staff, excess baggage charges, airport taxes and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages , laundry, etc.).
More information on this trip, please contact us
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