Route des Grandes Alpes
 

Anyone done this route ?

If so, is there any preference on North to South or South to North ?

Might do it in late September as will only be about 250 miles from both Lake Geneva and Cannes

Have done a fair bit of research into it but would be great if some of you that may have done it could advise

cheers
scooby

Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

Done bits of it on some of my trips, I'll try dig the map out and have a look, there are some great roads in the French alps, if you're in the general area don't forget Italy, Austria and Switzerland too!

Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

Not sure what that exact route is. I have always just got the map out and suited myself. Pretty sure the Col de Bonetta is part of it. Would say that one is a must do (highest pass in europe supposedly). You will be spoilt for choice anyway!

No matter what the route ,I'm a North to South fella. I like taking plenty of time heading to where we are going and heading away from home. Feels more of an adventure maybe. Lapping it up fer as long as possible.

If I need to, I know I can jump on the autoroute for a day or two to get home(well, a ferry!;) )



Post up the route if you find out!

:)

Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

Oops, maybe I have been a wee bit unclear :confused:

I have the route details, I was hoping someone has done it and can advise how good it was (or otherwise)

Stramasher - nope, the Col de Bonetta aint part of it according to the web site

Tim - I will be in Italy (staying by Lake Garda), Switzerland and Austria (Innsbruck), we are travelling down via IJmuiden, Luxembourg, Konstanz City and Innsbruck then on to Sirmione via the Stelvio Pass :D

The Alps route was for a wee bit of touring on the way back

Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

Oh aye, and the route is.......................

http://www.route-grandes-alpes.com/pages/home/index.php
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Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

Mousetrapper and I did a fair chunk of this route last September and it was fantastic! We stayed in Novalesa (a village just outside of Susa) and took S25, N6 and D90 to Col d'Isran and then D902, N90, S27 over both St Bernards and past Mont Blanc down to Montreux. Both of the St Bernards are stunning and the Col d'Isran (above Val d'isere) is spectacular but quite chilly due to the height! The route was hairpin central but thoroughly enjoyable even though we were fully loaded with paniers!
Would highly recommend :D

Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

that sounds cool mrs mouse

think that just about makes ma mind up :p

Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

You can read about it here, information and pics from riders but you need to look at each leg/part of the route separately. This is the first from the north:
http://www.bestbikingroads.com

Re: Route des Grandes Alpes
 

I did part of it 2 years ago but we rode westwards after the Col d'Izoard towards the Durance and the Mont Ventoux. Did a couple of the Cols again this year and my personal favorite is still the Cormet de Roselend.

A tip if you are planning to make the detour over the Col de la Croix de Fer: ride just a few km's further and take the Col Du Glandon instead. It is a lot calmer, better road surfaces, better views and nicer twisties...

From there take the Passage de Maupas and continue towards the Lautaret. If you have some extra time be sure to go up Alpe d'Huez. Don' t do like all the other tourists and turn back once you reach the top, continue through the village and take the small road at the other side of town back down (the Col de Sarenne). It is absolutely stunning and one of the most beautiful parts of the French Alps.


The downside of this detour (glandon/alpe d'huez/lautaret) is that you are missing out on the Telegraphe/Galibier which also offer countless challenging twisties...

you can read a report of our 2006 trip here: http://users.telenet.be/sofie.jacobs...nce_06_EN.html
and the piccies of this year are over here: http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/m...albumview=grid