Author: Will

A beautiful Swiss Cycling Climb. Biking to Gurnigel Pass. Map, photos, profile, etc.

Cycling to Col de a Bathie. Exploring unpaved high alpine roads can be rewarding. And one can discover some very, very big “unknown” climbs. Map, profile, photos, etc.

Recently we went hiking with friends all the way to the summit of Le Parmelan (1834 metres) the prominent peak jutting out of the north edge of the Alps a little west of Lake Annecy. It’s a huge, rugged massif with the occasional hiking trail, but not much else. I, of course, was eyeing the cycling possibilities.

An alternate route to Col du Galibier from the Maurienne valley without taking Col du Télégraphe – not easy. Map, profiles, photos. Galibier was closed above the tunnel, but I managed to get to the Col.

Col de Chérel is another little known, deserted, tough, climb, from Lake Annecy. This is a relatively tough, truly quiet, loop in the Bauges Alps. Note: The top several kilometres of both cols are unpaved roads – I had my 29er mountain bike.

A very quiet, challenging, unpaved cycling route to Col des Glières that includes 6 cols, and passes very close to three more. Map and photos.

Col de l’Aulp and Col de la Forclaz – great secret climb above Lake Annecy.

A bike/hike to Col des Contrebandiers and above to Mont Veyrier. Photos, map, etc.

Cycling Col de la Croix de Fer via Col du Mollard. Map, photos, profile, etc.

Cycle the Alps Traffic-Free: Here’s How (2015 Edition)