This trip contains two gravel adventures. First climbing from Valloire to the highest of its Ski Station (2534 metres) by way of a minimum of 35 hairpins. Then some excellent 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 trip. So I selected it fastidiously. In truth, I used our first hike to do some severe route planning:
However my first objective was to get to the very high of Valloire-Galibier ski station. Ranging from city, for those who 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 numerous ski chalets, nevertheless it quickly turns into a pleasant gravel ski-lift service highway.
I reached the highest of one of many major chair lifts and there was a pleasant lake.
Nevertheless it was nonetheless an extended strategy to the excessive level on the high of one other carry. The ultimate couple of kms had been steep and I handed some climbing faculty kids so slowly that we may have a pleasant chat and so they kindly cheered me on. However I made it! Good views and a elaborate top-of-the-resort signal.
Subsequent I descended down one other gravel service highway to try to be a part of up with the route I had hiked with Doreen the day past. 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 path earlier than on a mountain bike, however questioned if it was doable from this facet.
And now I used to be on my bike heading straight 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 bought on the path.
Some elements had been comparatively straightforward and a few elements brutal, however I made progress. Be aware, 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 trip to Col des Rochilles (2496m) – which I do know – and an extended, bumpy descent to Plan Lachat on the Galibier north facet.
See this previous 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 previous picture beneath exhibits 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:
