This trip consists of two gravel adventures. First climbing from Valloire to the highest of its Ski Station (2534 metres) through at the least 35 hairpins. Then some very good gravel up a very 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 have 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 trip. So I selected it fastidiously. The truth is, I used our first hike to do some severe route planning:
However my first objective was to get to the very prime of Valloire-Galibier ski station. Ranging from city, in case you look intently 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, but it surely quickly turns into a pleasant gravel ski-lift service highway.
I reached the highest of one of many predominant chair lifts and there was a pleasant lake.
However it was nonetheless a protracted option to the excessive level on the prime of one other elevate. The ultimate couple of kms have been steep and I handed some mountaineering faculty kids so slowly that we might 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 past. I’m going to put up the picture once more, however whereas mountaineering I had been so transfixed with L’Aiguille Noir. I’ve visited Col de la Plagnette from a unique path 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 method stated it was tough however not harmful. So I received on the path.
Some elements have been comparatively straightforward and a few elements brutal, however I made progress. Notice, the ultimate 3 kms to the col have 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 might be sadly pretty dry/empty. It was a brief trip 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 trip for particulars of climbing Col des Rochilles from Plan Lachat and persevering with east previous these lakes all the best way to Briançon: Col Searching Behind Le Grand Galibier
This outdated picture beneath reveals the gorgeous Col des Rochilles descent. It was taken on paved highway at 6km marker beneath 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:
