Route Des Grandes Alpes

[CHLEMCBH]

I'm looking at doing this as part of a European tour next year (yes, next year, 2025 - I like to plan) I'm looking for opinions from anyone who's recently done it North to South as to whether to take a single day or split it into two. If at all possible, could you keep responses to the actual question? I'm not looking for other routes in the area (or elsewhere) or any other information or opinions. Thanks ever so!

[black-k1]

You need a good 2 days. It took us almost 2 days to do 3/4 of the Route des Grande Alpes. Details of our trip is in the link and we were riding for 7 to 8 hours a day.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The Route Napoleon is a day, and not a long day either but the Route des Grande Alpes is a whole different challenge.

[shirt]

I’ve only done it as far as Beaufort, echo the above I’d want 3 days to do it as a tour with leisurely lunch stops, 2 possible if you are just about the riding.

It’s on my list to do the whole route for this year or next. Hopefully this summer!

[StuntCock]

At least 2 days.

A mate and I did most of the route about 3 years back, North to South. We took two and a half days. There are a lot of hairpins!

We started in Aix-Les-Bains, not Thonon, joining the route at Flumet before Col des Saises. Late lunch in Val d ‘Isere, and spent the night in Valloire, between the Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier. The next day included the fantastic Col de la Bonette and the highest paved road in Europe, then a night at the Ranch de Turini on the famous rallying Col. Final half day rode down to Menton and was in Casino Square, Monaco for a lunchtime beer.

It is a lovely route, but not fast!

[CHLEMCBH]

Great input, thanks all! Looks like it might have to be on the way back, then, annoyingly.