This ride includes two gravel adventures. First ascent from Valloire to the top of its Ski Resort (2534 meters) via at least 35 hairpins. Then some superb gravel in a very beautiful hidden valley parallel to the paved Galibier road but surrounded by high mountains, then a slightly crazy climb up to the Col de la Plagnette – cycling involved. Woohoooo!
My wife and I were in Valloire for three nights. Our plan was to do several big hikes and I was allowed one (one!) bike ride. So I chose it carefully. In fact, I took advantage of our first hike to seriously plan my route:
But my first objective was to arrive at the top of the Valloire-Galibier ski resort. Starting from the town, if you look closely at the map you will see from the start that there are only hairpins. It is paved for a few kilometers and I passed several ski chalets, but it quickly becomes a nice gravel service road for the ski lifts.
I reached the top of one of the main chairlifts and there was a lovely lake.
But it was still a long way to the highest point, at the top of another chairlift. The last few kilometers were steep and I passed some school children hiking so slowly that we were able to chat pleasantly and they kindly encouraged me. But I succeeded! Beautiful views and sophisticated high end sign.
Then I headed down another gravel service road to try to rejoin the route I had hiked with Doreen the day before. I’m going to post the photo again, but while hiking I had been so fascinated by L’Aiguille Noir. I have already visited the Col de la Plagnette from a different direction by mountain bike, but I was wondering if it was possible from this side.
And now I was on my bike heading straight to this magnificent peak.
I knew the gravel road would end soon and things would get trickier. But two friendly and very fit guys wearing French national team jerseys (ski or mountain bike or XC ski champions?) from another country said it was difficult but not dangerous. So I set out on the trail.
Some parts were relatively easy and others were brutal, but I made progress. Note that the last 3 km to the pass consisted mainly of pushing/carrying bikes.
But I was delighted and relieved to reach the Col de la Plagnette (2525m):
At the top I soon came to 2 alpine lakes which are unfortunately quite dry/empty. It was a short ride to the Col des Rochilles (2496m) – which I know – and a long bumpy descent to Plan Lachat on the northern slope of the Galibier.
See this old walk for more details on the ascent of the Col des Rochilles from Plan Lachat and the continuation eastwards via these lakes to Briançon: Col Hunting Behind Le Grand Galibier
This old photo below shows the beautiful descent of the Col des Rochilles. It was taken on a paved road 6 km below the summit of Galibier, but the gravel road is clear on the left. Lots of hairpins! Either way, it’s fun when a silly idea succeeds.
Here is a 3D video of this superb route: