Route des Grandes Alpes

The Route des Grandes Alpes runs from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, crossing the French Alps from north to south over a chain of legendary passes. Many of them are famous from the Tour de France, and the route is one of the classic multi-day motorcycle trips in Europe.

Each day brings a different landscape — green Alpine valleys in Savoie, high rock and glaciers around the Iseran and Galibier, then sun-baked Provençal mountains as you descend toward Nice and Menton.

Highlights

• Col de la Colombière and Col des Aravis in the northern Alps
• Col de l'Iseran, one of the highest paved passes in the Alps
• Col du Galibier and the view of the Meije glacier
• The lunar landscape of the Casse Déserte below Col d'Izoard
• Col de la Bonette (via its summit loop) and the descent to the Mediterranean

Best time to ride

Mid-June to late September. The highest passes open only after snow clearance, usually in June, and can close again after early autumn snow.

The road

Mostly very good asphalt, with narrow sections, unlit tunnels and many cyclists on the famous climbs. Temperatures drop sharply at the top.

Riding tips

• Plan four to six days to enjoy it rather than rush it.
• Check pass status before each day — closures are announced locally.
• Fuel up in the valleys; there are no stations on the passes.