Cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes
Cycling through the French Alps from Lac Leman to Menton/Nice
Cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes
Cycling through the French Alps from Lac Leman to Menton/Nice
Guidebook to cycling the 720km Route des Grandes Alpes through south-eastern France. From Lake Geneva to Mediterranean Nice via numerous high Alpine passes, taking in the Vanoise, Écrins and Mercantour National Parks, the route is challenging, although entirely on roads. However, with plenty of charging points, it is well suited to eBikes.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
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
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
We do not yet have any updates available for this book
We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
Learn moreDiscover the Cicerone App
The Cicerone App brings decades of expertise straight to your phone, making it easier than ever to plan and enjoy your adventures wherever you are. For use with In-App guides — not compatible with eBooks.