Cycle the Route des Grandes Alpes and take on one of the great challenges of European road cycling, a 720km (447-mile) journey from the southern shore of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean coast at Nice, crossing 17 major alpine passes through the Vanoise, Écrins, and Mercantour national parks. Entirely on road and demanding throughout, this is a serious cycling adventure for well-prepared riders with experience of mountain roads.

Suitable for experienced long-distance cyclists, this trusted Cicerone guidebook by cycling writer Giles Belbin describes the full route in 14 stages of 31–75km (20–46 miles), completable in 1–2 weeks. Six route variants are also described for those who want to adjust the itinerary, and with plenty of eBike charging points along the way, the route is increasingly well-suited to electric bikes.

• Cycle the Route des Grandes Alpes in 14 stages from Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva to Nice on the Mediterranean, passing through the Vanoise, Écrins, and Mercantour national parks and overnight stops including Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Val d'Isère, Briançon, and Saint-Martin-Vésubie.
• Conquer 17 major alpine climbs along the route, including the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved pass in the Alps, the legendary Col du Galibier and Col d'Izoard, the Cime de la Bonette, the Col de la Cayolle, and the Col de Turini above the French Riviera.
• Choose from 6 route variants to adapt the itinerary to your schedule, fitness, and preferences, with alternatives described for stages across the Savoie, the Queyras, and the approach to the Mercantour.
• Navigate with confidence using 1:150,000 mapping and elevation profiles included for each stage, alongside GPX files available to download for the full route and all variants.
• Plan your Route des Grandes Alpes cycling trip with comprehensive practical information on bike selection and preparation, eBike riding and charging stations, accommodation, food and drink, getting there, and safety and emergencies in the mountains.
• Discover the highlights beyond the cols, including the medieval town of Briançon, the Guil Valley, the Grande Corniche, the lakeside town of Annecy, the dramatic Casse Déserte below the Col d'Izoard, and the final descent to the French Riviera at Nice.

Take on the Route des Grandes Alpes with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the shores of Lake Geneva to the warmth of the Mediterranean, this is the essential companion for one of the most demanding and rewarding long-distance cycle routes in the Alps.

Cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes – Quick Facts

Location: France – French Alps, from Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva to Nice on the Mediterranean
Start point: Thonon-les-Bains, Lake Geneva
End point: Nice, French Riviera (alternative finish at Menton)
Route covered: 720km (447 miles)
Number of stages: 14 stages (31–75km/20–46 miles each)
Route variants: 6 variants described for alternative stage options
Typical duration: 1–2 weeks
Difficulty: Difficult; for well-prepared cyclists with experience of medium-distance rides on mountain roads; not suitable for novices; eBike technology makes the route more accessible but good fitness levels remain necessary
Terrain: Entirely on road; 17 major alpine passes including the Col de l'Iseran, Col du Galibier, and Col d'Izoard
Navigation/mapping: 1:150,000 mapping and elevation profiles included for each stage; GPX files available to download
Key centres: Thonon-les-Bains, Cluses, La Clusaz, Beaufort, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Val d'Isère, Valloire, Briançon, Guillestre, Barcelonnette, Valberg, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Sospel, Nice
Highlights: Col de l'Iseran, Col du Galibier, Col d'Izoard and the Casse Déserte, Cime de la Bonette, Col de Turini, Annecy, Briançon, Guil Valley, Vanoise, Écrins and Mercantour national parks, Grande Corniche, French Riviera
eBike information: Bike shops and Bosch eBike charging stations listed throughout the route
Accommodation & logistics: Detailed accommodation information, recommended cycling essentials checklist, and comprehensive practical advice on getting to and from the route
Best time to go: Late spring to early summer or late summer to early autumn, when high passes are clear of snow but before or after the heat of midsummer

Author Highlight

“Cycling among mountains is a rewarding experience, with a sense of achievement complementing the spectacular scenery that opens up around every turn in the road. The Route des Grandes Alpes (RdGA) is no exception. From the southern shore of Lac Léman to the Mediterranean-licked promenades of cosmopolitan Nice, the 720km route, which Abel Ballif and the Touring Club de France worked hard to make a reality, traverses the inspiring passes of some of France’s highest peaks, offering the opportunity to explore a variety of national parks and showcasing the striking contrast between the northern and southern French Alps.”

- Giles Belbin, one of the authors of Cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Ride planner

Alternative schedules

Introduction

History of the Route des Grandes Alpes

Connection with the Tour de France

Natural environment

When to go

Riding in the mountains

Bike selection and preparation

eBike riding

Touring options

Accommodation

Food and drink

Getting there

Getting around

Getting back

Safety and emergencies

Using this guide

The route

Stage 1 Thonon-les-Bains to Cluses

Stage 2 Cluses to La Clusaz

Stage 3 La Clusaz to Beaufort

Stage 4 Beaufort to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Stage 5 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Val d’Isère

Stage 6 Val d’Isère to Val Cenis Termignon

Stage 7 Val Cenis Termignon to Valloire

Stage 8 Valloire to Briançon

Stage 9 Briançon to Guillestre

Stage 10 Guillestre to Barcelonnette

Stage 11 Barcelonnette to Valberg

Stage 12 Valberg to Saint-Martin-Vésubie

Stage 13 Saint-Martin-Vésubie to Sospel

Stage 14 Sospel to Nice

Variants

Variant 1 Saint-Jean-de-Sixt to Villard-sur-Doron

Variant 2 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne

Variant 3 Val Cenis Lanslevillard to Briançon

Variant 4 Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Col du Lautaret

Variant 5 Guillestre to Barcelonnette

Variant 6 Jausiers to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée

Appendix A Bike shops and Bosch eBike charging stations

Appendix B Recommended cycling essentials checklist

Appendix C Useful resources and essential information

Appendix D Glossary of cycling specific terms

Seasons

Late-spring to early-summer or late-summer to early-Autumn are the best times to ride the route when the high passes have been cleared of snow while avoiding the heat of mid-summer.

Centres

Thonon-les-Bains; Cluses; La Clusaz; Beaufort; Bourg-Saint-Maurice; Val d'Isère; Val-Cenis-Termingnon; Valloire; Briançon; Guillestre; Barcelonnette; Valberg; Saint-Martin-Vésubie; Sospel; Nice

Difficulty

Difficult. For well-prepared cyclists with experience of undertaking medium-distance rides on mountain roads. eBike technology makes the route more accessible but good fitness levels remain necessary. This is not a route for novices.

Must See

Col de l'Iseran; Col du Galibier; Col d'Izoard and the Casse Déserte; Annecy; Briançon; The Guil Valley; Cime de la Bonette; Col de la Cayolle; Col de Turini; National parks of the Vanoise, Écrins and Mercantour; Sospel; The Grande Corniche and the French Riviera

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