Le Beaufortain – Col Hunting

A near perfect day (apart from bonking) Col hunting around the Mountain des Vorès above Col des Saisies.

Eric and I started in Megève and after a few kms started up towards Col des Saisies. We skipped the classic Route des Grandes Alpes road (218b) taking a quieter and slightly more scenic way up via Crest-Voland. It’s a challenging enough climb, but not the main purpose of today’s ride.

Upon reaching Saisies, we headed up 1.5 kms to Col de la Lezette, and then followed a wonderful gravel road up a mountain ridge in the direction of Mont Blanc.

After Lezette, there were four more Cols (see below) – with the Col de Véry being the main target @ 1962m. The road is not very steep and in good condition – and the views are just superb.

From Véry we took a farm road down towards Belleville. This route is occasionally very STEEP, and treacherous, but rideable. I walked in a couple of places – but Eric managed to descend the whole route.

Below can you see Eric and Barrage de la Girotte?

We had been debating whether to ride up to the Barrage de la Girotte, but I was getting tired and proceeded to bonk as we climbed back up Col des Saisies again to return to Megève (it can be hard finding water or anything open here in October)!

Still, an amazing ride that I’ll certainly do again – especially since we missed Col de Basse Combe a little left of Véry.

The final Col Count:

1. Col des Saisies – 1650m (via Crest)
2. Col de la Lezette – 1785m
3. Col de la Legette – 1776m (descended) 😉
4. Col de la Péchette – 1948m (no sign)
5. Col de Véry – 1962m
6. Col Croix de Pierre – 1970m
7. Col des Saisies – 1650 (via Hauteluce)

PS – I bring my own Col signs now …. 😀