Cycling the Route des Grandes Alpes

Giles Belbin is a cycling writer and author based in southwest England. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Cyclist, Ride Cycling Review, Cycling Weekly, Procycling and Rouleur. He first rode his bike in the French Alps in 2006 while watching the Tour de France, falling off his bike near the top of the Col du Galibier in exhaustion. He has been a frequent visitor ever since.

• Map key Overview map Route summary table Ride planner Alternative schedules Introduction History of the Route des Grandes Alpes Connection with the Tour de France Natural environment When to go Riding in the mountains Bike selection and preparation eBike riding Touring options Accommodation Food and drink Getting there Getting around Getting back Safety and emergencies Using this guide The route Stage 1 Thonon-les-Bains to Cluses Stage 2 Cluses to La Clusaz Stage 3 La Clusaz to Beaufort Stage 4 Beaufort to Bourg-Saint-Maurice Stage 5 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Val d'Is&##xe8;re Stage 6 Val d'Is&##xe8;re to Val Cenis Termignon Stage 7 Val Cenis Termignon to Valloire Stage 8 Valloire to Briançon Stage 9 Briançon to Guillestre Stage 10 Guillestre to Barcelonnette Stage 11 Barcelonnette to Valberg Stage 12 Valberg to Saint-Martin-V&##xe9;subie Stage 13 Saint-Martin-V&##xe9;subie to Sospel Stage 14 Sospel to Nice Variants Variant 1 Saint-Jean-de-Sixt to Villard-sur-Doron Variant 2 Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne Variant 3 Val Cenis Lanslevillard to Briançon Variant 4 Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne to Col du Lautaret Variant 5 Guillestre to Barcelonnette Variant 6 Jausiers to Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tin&##xe9;e Appendix A Bike shops and Bosch eBike charging stations Appendix B Recommended cycling essentials checklist Appendix C Useful resources and essential information Appendix D Glossary of cycling specific terms