Plan du Lac
By Will • Aug 13th, 2012 • Category: Climbs, Cycling, Favorites
Thanks to Ashley for pointing out this truly spectacular high altitude (2385 metres), fully paved, climb in the Haute Maurienne Alps.
The route starts from Termignon – not too far from Lanslebourg and the start of the south side of Col de l’Iseran – the highest paved mountain pass in Europe.
From the Termignon tourist office, follow the main road up and west, and at the very first hairpin just stay straight (signs say Plan du Lac and Parking du Bellecombe).
It’s steep from the start with the first few kilometres following regular hairpins up through a sparse forest. The best views here are down to the valley below as the road quickly rises.
At 1700 metres or so, as I slowly started to get above the tree-line, the climb becomes truly beautiful. Surrounded by huge mountains, a couple with glaciers atop, wide open hairpins twist in every direction. Fantastic!
At approximately 13 kilometres is a the huge Bellecombe parking lot – lots of hikers. From here, the road is closed to cars – but not bikes, woohooo. Just continue up to the lake and the refuge/restaurant a few hundred metres further.
It’s possible to descend and go several kilometres further on a mediocre but paved surface until a small barrage/dam – see my map. With a mountain bike, there are some more trails to follow, but I don’t think anything goes particularly high.
Plan du Lac is a lessor known gem that should be a top priority for anyone cycling nearby Col de l’Iseran.
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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2013 Challenge is to cycle a 150 Cols (mountain passes), slowly -- and to just enjoy.
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Don’t tell too many people, she’s a beauty all right.
Ash