100% FRENCH ALPS (Self-Guided)

ITINERARY

• Day 1

  Thonon-les-Bains:

  Arrival of participants and hotel check-in. Free time to visit Thonon and the shores of Lake Geneva, official starting point of the Route des Grandes Alpes. Group briefing and welcome cocktail.

• Day 2

  Thonon-les-Bains – Aime (251 km):

  Starting from Thonon-les-Bains, the first day takes you straight into the heart of the Northern French Alps. The mountain passes come thick and fast with Joux Plane, Colombière, Aravis and Col du Pré, before crossing the Beaufortain and reaching the spectacular Cormet de Roselend. A true Alpine riding day from the very start, finishing in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

• Day 3
  Aime – Briançon (308 km):

  A big day of high-altitude riding begins with the climb to Col de l’Iseran, the highest paved mountain pass in the French Alps, before descending into the Maurienne Valley and tackling the spectacular Montvernier hairpins. The route then takes on Télégraphe, Galibier and Lautaret, followed by one final challenge with an out-and-back ride to Col du Granon. Arrival in Briançon after one of the most intense riding days of the tour.
• Day 4

  Briançon – Valberg (258 km):

  Leaving Briançon, the route climbs Col d’Izoard and crosses the spectacular Casse Déserte before riding through the Queyras and over Col de Vars. After the Ubaye Valley, the journey continues towards Col de la Cayolle before dropping into the Southern Alps through the spectacular Cians and Daluis gorges. A particularly varied day of mountain riding, finishing in Valberg.

• Day 5

  Valberg – La Mure (301 km):

  Leaving Valberg, the route crosses Col de la Couillole before heading to Bonette and its spectacular summit road, reaching 2,802 metres. The ride then follows the Ubaye Valley, skirts the shores of Lake Serre-Ponçon and crosses the Champsaur via Col de Moissière and Col du Noyer. A long and rewarding day of mountain riding, finishing in La Mure.

• Day 6

  La Mure – Annecy (278 km):

  The final big riding day takes you through the Oisans and over Col d’Ornon before tackling Glandon, Croix-de-Fer and Madeleine. After crossing the Bauges massif and Col du Frêne, the route climbs to Semnoz for one last panoramic view over the Alps and Lake Annecy. A spectacular arrival in Annecy to round off five intense days of mountain roads and legendary passes.

• Day 7

  Annecy:

  End of the tour and departure of participants after breakfast.