Route des Grandes Alpes

Jul 11, 2024 | Europe, France

Arctic Circle Trail: The route from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut
Our Route des Grandes Alpes map from Cluses to Menton
Russell Glacier, our night 1 campsite location
Col d’Izoard Descent
Vast Russell Glacier coming off of the ice-shelf
Col de Turini Descent
Taking a tour onto the second largest expanse of ice on the planet
St Martin Vésubie
Taking a tour onto the second largest expanse of ice on the planet
Valberg
Significant moraine at the edge of the Greenland ice-shelf
Arvieux

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 1: Cluses to Le Grand-Bornand to Beaufort-sur-Doron

Col de Romme, Col de la Colombiere, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies

Distance: 93.84km, Ascent: 2915m, Moving Time: 6h54


The winding trail from Point 660 to our campsite at the Russell Glacier
Col de Romme (1297m)
Our modified starting place at Point 660 on the edge of the Greenland ice-shelf
Col de la Colombière (1618m)
The winding trail from Point 660 to our campsite at the Russell Glacier
Col des Saisies (1650m)

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 2: Beaufort-sur-Doron to Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Val d’Isère

Col du Merraillet, Cormet de Roselend

Distance: 72.05km, Ascent: 2459m, Moving Time: 6h05
Total Distance: 165.89km, Total Ascent: 5,374m, Total Time: 12h59


Not a bad place for a first night camping up close and personal to the Russell Glacier
Col du Méraillet (1605m)
Desert looking landscape on the way to Kangerlussuaq
Cormet de Roselend (1968m)
Desert looking landscape on the way to Kangerlussuaq
20km climb with 1300m vertical gain

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 3: Val d’Isère to Val-Cenis to Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves

Col de l’Iseran, Col de la Madeleine

Distance: 129.56km, Ascent: 2637m, Moving Time: 8h16
Total Distance: 295.45km, Total Ascent: 8,011m, Total Time: 21h15


The old aurora borealis research station of Kellyville
Col de la Madeleine (1746m)
Water and more water, the start of things to come
Col de l’Iseran (2770m)
Camping on the shores of No-name lake
Heading up the first 20km

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 4: Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves to L’Alpe d’Huez

Col de la Croix de Fer, l’Alpe d’Huez

Distance: 62.96km, Ascent: 1894m, Moving Time: 4h36
Total Distance: 358.41km, Total Ascent: 9,905m, Total Time: 25h51


Lakes (and bogs) are the big feature on the ACT
A nice easy grade!
Lakes and bogs are the ACT's big features
After a 28km climb. Note the bag distribution!
Lakes and bogs are the ACT's big features
L’Alpe d’Huez winner podium

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 5: L’Alpe d’Huez to Briançon to Arvieux

Col de Sarenne, Col du Lautaret, Col de l’Izoard

Distance: 104km, Ascent: 2580m, Moving Time: 6h52
Total Distance: 462.41km, Total Ascent: 12,485m, Total Time: 32h43


Can't beat this for an almost Mediterranean looking campsite
Col de Sarenne (1999m)
Red half moons marking the way to our distant destination
Col du Lautaret (2058m)
As well as countless lakes and bogs the terrain was also very mountainous
The third ‘grind’ of a climb
As well as countless lakes and bogs the terrain was also very mountainous
Col d’Izoard (2360m)

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 6: Arvieux to Barcelonnette to Guillaumes

Col de Vars, Col de la Cayolle

Distance: 131.92km, Ascent: 2322m, Moving Time: 7h28
Total Distance: 594.33km, Total Ascent: 14,807m, Total Time: 40h11


These views just didn't get boring whatever the weather
A 19km sufferfest
One of the 11 huts scattered along the ACT
Col de Vars (2109m)
The widest and deepest river crossing on the trail, thankfully not as bad as expected
A really remote col
The widest and deepest river crossing on the trail, thankfully not as bad as expected
Col de la Cayolle (2326m)

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 7: Guillaumes to Saint-Martin Vésubie

Col de Valberg, Col de la Couillole, Col Saint Martin

Distance: 73.71km, Ascent: 2144m, Moving Time: 5h15
Total Distance: 668.04km, Total Ascent: 16,951m, Total Time: 45h26


Views of the rugged and spectacular Arctic
Col de la Couillole (1678m)
They sure know how to place these rustic huts
Col Saint-Martin / Col de la Colmiane (1503m)

Route des Grandes Alpes Day 8: Saint-Martin Vésubie to Sospel to Menton

Col de Turini, Col de Castillon

Distance: 77.76km, Ascent: 1559m, Moving Time: 4h59
Total Distance: 745.8km, Total Ascent: 18,510m, Total Time: 50h25


Must be one of the most epic places to camp... anywhere
Col de Turini (1607m)
The only time we encountered anything growing taller than us
Menton; the end!
Mountains, bogs and a lake; Greenland tundra to a tee
Col de Castillon (706m)
Camping
Sleeping bag liners
Towels
Coffee aeropress/ filters
Stove/ gas bottle
Pans
Bowls
Mugs
Spoons
Knife
Clothing Wayne
Crocs
Rain jacket
Insulated jacket
Baseball cap
Long sleeved top
Tee-shirts x2
Boxer shorts x3
Socks x2
Food
Coffee, tea
Breakfasts x9 days
Snacks: dates, energy bars
Dinners x7 total
Personal
Suncream
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Soap
Power bricks x2
Camera and lens
Charging cables
Reading glasses
Sunglasses
Clothing Andrea
Flipflops
Rain jacket
Insulated jacket
Midlayer jacket
Sun hat
Baseball cap
Tights x2
Long sleeved tops x2
Tee-shirt x3
Socks x3
Gloves
Sport bras x2
Underwear x8
Next Time!
No sleeping bag liners?
No towels?
No stove/ gas bottle
No pans
No mugs
No spare cycling clothes
Dates
June 29th – July 6th 2024

Travel
Outbound
SNCF Train – Les Praz to Cluses: €11.40 pp inc velos
Return Journey
Trenitalia Train – Ventimiglia to Torino: €26.30 pp inc velos
Flixbus Bus – Torino to Chamonix: €32 pp inc velos

Accommodation
Hôtel Maison Doron, Beaufort: $100.81 (booking.com)
Victoria Lodge, Friendly Hotel, Val d’Isere: $104.08 (booking.com)
MONTAGNE, appartement Centre Station, Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves: $90.63 (airbnb.com)
PopAlp, l’Alpe d’Huez: $53.01 (hotels.com)
La Casse Deserte, Arvieux: $93.91 (booking.com)
Relais des Alpes, Guillaumes: $108.74 (Direct booking)
La Bonne Auberge, Saint-Martin Vésubie: $91.13 (Direct booking)
Best Western Hotel Méditerranée, Menton: $218.42 (booking.com)

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