THE GREAT ALPS TRAIL

We made several trips together, among which is a crossing of the French Alps, from Geneva to Nice through the most beautiful alpine passes. This route offers breathtaking views of nature and remote areas.

We teamed up with our friend Bibi, who we know since high school and warmly greet here ^^.

Opened in 1937, the Great Alps Trail is one of the most beautiful mountain trails: from Thonon-les Bains to Menton, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean sea, the road stretches out over 688 km and 15 passes. These are among the highest in France - six of them are above 2.000m - and guide drivers, bike and bicycle riders through a region with an exceptional natural and cultural heritage.

The Great Alps Trail

Trail profile

The trail has a few variants but we stayed on the original path with 15 passes for a total length of 688 km! The passes and their altitude are (in order):

- Col de la Colombière, 1613m
- Col des Aravis, 1486m
- Col des Saisies, 1650m
- Cormet de Roseland, 1967m
- Col de l'Iseran, 2764m
- Col du Télégraphe, 1566m
- Col du Galibier, 2642m
- Col d'Isoard, 2360m
- Col de Vars, 2108m
- Col de la Cayolle, 2326m
- Col de Valberg, 1700m
- Col de la Couillole, 1678m
- Col Saint-Martin,1500m
- Col du Turini, 1604m
- Col de Castillon, 706m.

With about 2000 meters of daily uphill riding, this journey was a significant sports challenge. Therefore, we were travelling light, without tents or camping gear and were sleeping at B&Bs. Thus, this kind of journey is very different from the one that we are about to undertake, in which we will sometime find ourselves completely on our own.

Lake Roselend, 1615m

Hairpin while going up to col de l'Iseran

Arriving at the highest pass of the Trail

Relaxing at the Iseran

Two tiny riders (Sébastien & Bibi) going up the Galibier

Hairpins at Plan Lachat, while riding up the Galibier

col de l'Izoard

Last hairpins before the col de l'Izoard

Snack time at Col d'Izoard

The team at col de Vars

Fixing Bibi's bike after a small crash while riding down from col de Turini

Finally arrived in Menton after a tough week!