This experience consists of two gravel adventures. First climbing from Valloire to the highest of its Ski Station (2534 metres) through a minimum of 35 hairpins. Then some very good gravel up a really stunning hidden valley parallel to the paved Galibier highway however surrounded by excessive mountains, after which a barely loopy ascent to Col de la Plagnette – bike pushing concerned. Woohoooo !

My spouse and I had been staying in Valloire for 3 nights. Our plan was to do a number of massive hikes and I used to be allowed one (one!) bike experience. So I selected it rigorously. In truth, I used our first hike to do some severe route planning:

However my first purpose was to get to the very prime of Valloire-Galibier ski station. Ranging from city, when you look carefully on the map you’ll see it’s nothing however hairpins early on. It’s paved for a few kilometres and I handed varied ski chalets, however it quickly turns into a pleasant gravel ski-lift service highway.

I reached the highest of one of many principal chair lifts and there was a pleasant lake.

Nevertheless it was nonetheless a protracted method to the excessive level on the prime of one other raise. The ultimate couple of kms had been steep and I handed some climbing college kids so slowly that we may have a pleasant chat they usually kindly cheered me on. However I made it! Good views and a flowery top-of-the-resort signal.

Subsequent I descended down one other gravel service highway to try to be part of up with the route I had hiked with Doreen the day gone by. I’m going to submit the picture once more, however whereas climbing I had been so transfixed with L’Aiguille Noir. I’ve visited Col de la Plagnette from a special route earlier than on a mountain bike, however questioned if it was attainable from this facet.

And now I used to be on my bike heading instantly at this stunning peak.

I knew the gravel highway would quickly finish and issues would get trickier. However two pleasant and really match guys in French Nationwide jerseys (ski or VTT or XC ski champions?) coming from different approach stated it was tough however not harmful. So I acquired on the path.

Some components had been comparatively simple and a few components brutal, however I made progress. Observe, the ultimate 3 kms to the col had been primarily bike pushing/carrying.

However I used to be thrilled and relieved to achieve Col de la Plagnette (2525m):

Excessive I quickly arrived at 2 alpine lakes which can be sadly pretty dry/empty. It was a brief experience to Col des Rochilles (2496m) – which I do know – and a protracted, bumpy descent to Plan Lachat on the Galibier north facet.

See this outdated experience for particulars of climbing Col des Rochilles from Plan Lachat and persevering with east previous these lakes all the best way to Briançon: Col Looking Behind Le Grand Galibier

This outdated picture under reveals the attractive Col des Rochilles descent. It was taken on paved highway at 6km marker under Galibier summit, however the gravel highway is obvious on the left. Many hairpins! Anyway it’s enjoyable when a foolish concept is profitable.

Right here’s a 3D video of this nice route: