A guidebook to cycling the 720km (447 mile) Route des Grandes Alpes through southern France. This long-distance cycle between Lake Geneva and Nice on the Mediterranean coast is suitable for experienced long-distance cyclists and can be cycled in 1-2 weeks.

• Presented in 14 stages between 31-75km (20-46 miles)
• 6 routes variants are also described
• Route takes in 17 major climbs, including the famous Col de l'Iseran (the highest paved pass in the Alps), the Col du Galibier and the Col d'Izoard
• Route passes through Vanoise, the Écrins and the Mercantour national parks
• Overnight stops include Thonon-les-Bains, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Val d'Isère, Briançon, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Sospel
• Perfect for cycling late Spring through early autumn.
• 1:150,000 mapping and profiles are included for each route
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on preparation, equipment and accommodation

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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