Route des Grandes Alpes – Stage 2

This is the second article in a series detailing the 684 kilometre Route des Grandes Alpes. A great cyclo-tour through the French Alps, over 16 mountain passes, on a road linking Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) to the Mediterranean Sea.

My main goal is to highlight alternate route options and interesting detours.

Part 1 is here: Route des Grandes Alpes – Stage 1
Part 3 is here: Route des Grandes Alpes – Stage 3
Part 4 is here: Route des Grandes Alpes – Stage 4
Part 5 is here: Route des Grandes Alpes – Stage 5
Part 6 is here: Route des Grandes Alpes – Stage 6
Part 7 is here: Route des Grandes Alpes – Stage 7

Stage 2: St-Jean-de-Sixt to Bourg-St-Maurice

Official Route (blue track on map):
Distance: 94 Kilometres
Ascent: 2650 metres
Descent: 2800 Metres

Below, I will explain the map in some detail (or click any point on map for additional info).

The Official Route

This is a nicer day than stage 1. Three climbs of increasing difficulty, finishing with the highlight of the day: the fabulous Cormet de Roselend.

The stage begins with Col des Aravis, not very difficult, but beautiful. Almost reminds me of the Dolomites.

Next, Col des Saisies is a bit tougher, climbing to a small ski station. Keep an eye out for the French/American WW2 monument beside the col.

Finally, Cormet de Roselend is one of the more beautiful climbs in the north French Alps, with the route passing the dam and Lac de Roselend on the way up. One of my very favourite roads.

Detour 1 – Col des Saisies via Crest-Voland

The orange line on the top map. This is just an alternate way up Col des Saisies that is much quieter. If cycling on a summer weekend, this will be more peaceful.

Detour 2 – Signal de Bisanne

The green line on the top map. This 5 km detour adds about 350 metres of climb and offers superb views from the summit at 1934 metres. You’ll be hearing more about Signal de Bisanne as it makes its Tour de France debut in 2016. The Tour will climb from the far south side. But the Tour will skip the top, super steep, couple of kilometres. I’ve added them here.

More details on the complete climb to Signal de Bisanne here.

Detour 3 – Roselend via Col du Pré

The red line on the top map. This is the detour that you must do as it is the superior way to climb the north side of Cormet de Roselend. Starting from Beaufort, the route to Col du Pré splits off into another scenic valley from the main Route des Grandes Alpes. It’s at times a very challenging climb, but the pay-off is some of the best views of Lac de Roselend just after the summit. More details here.

Friends Xavier and Philippe. Breath-taking:

The detour adds perhaps only 100 metres extra ascent and has the added bonus of also riding over the dam itself before rejoining the main Route des Grandes Alpes at Col de Meraillet. Very fun.

Damn good dam views:

I love rides to high alpine dams/lakes. Here are 28 of my favourite dam rides.

Additional ideas

(all items below are marked on top map)

1. If you want a warm-up climb near the start, the not-well-known but lovely (and) steep climb to Col des Annes is a good choice.
2. From Beaufort, the quiet and scenic dead-end road up to Col du Joly (1991 metres) lead to up close views of Mont Blanc. One of the best “secret” climbs in the north French Alps.
3. A quick detour on the road to Col du Pré leads to the dam and Lac du St. Guerin.
4. While descending Cormet du Roselend there is a turn off to La Ville des Glaciers – more Mont Blanc up close views.
5. There is lots of great up-high mountain biking along this route. If interested, drop me a line. For example.

Below: Short detour to La Ville des Glaciers. Mont Blanc and my silly old pink back-pack:

Road Openings: Col des Aravis is open most of the year, although it will closed in deep winter. Col des Saisies is usually open all year (ski station at summit), but Cormet de Roselend is tricky. The north side above the lake is well shaded and gets lots of snow. It often won’t open until the very end of May. It is frankly, very difficult to bypass Roselend. I’d get on a train to the Maurienne valley? Official Savoie Col open/closed map here.

Col des Aravis in March:

Final Thoughts

Trust me: Take the Col du Pré detour. And more good news: There is usually a guy at the summit of Cormet de Roselend selling beer. Cheers.