Wir nehmen dich mit auf einen Roadtrip auf der berühmten Route des Grandes Alpes (RDGA). Diese legendäre Route, ca 720 km lang, durchquert die französischen Alpen von Norden nach Süden über 17 Pässe, von denen 6 auf mehr als 2000 m Höhe gipfeln. Sie fährt von Thonon-les-Bains ab, um Nizza zu erreichen. Also einsteigen und… los fahren! 3 Tage auf der Route des Grandes Alpes

[aktualisiert Aug 2022]

Zusammengefasst

Land: Frankreich Startpunkt: Lugrin Dauer: 3-5 Tage, je nach Route bzw. Fahrstil Top-Sehenswürdigkeiten : Cols de l’Iseran, du Galibier, du Lautaret, de l’Izoard, etc.

Vor etwa einem Jahr hat dir Adrien, der Gründer von Cruizador, erzählt, wie er bei der RDGA beinahe durch einen betrunkenen Fahrer ums Leben gekommen wäre (die unglaubliche Geschichte hier lesen). Aber wir müssen zugeben, dass wir nicht in schlechten Erinnerungen verweilen dürfen. Dieser Ausflug hat so viel zu bieten, dass es schade wäre, diese legendäre Route nicht zu geniessen. Ausserdem bieten wir dir ein Roadbook an, das dich über diese mythischen Pässe führt.

Einige praktische Infos

• Vorbereitung: unsere Auswahl an Roadtrip Essentials (hier)
• Sei vorsichtig unterwegs, denn die RGDA ist vor allem an Wochenenden und in den Schulferien vielbesucht. Und leider grenzt das Verhalten mancher Nutzer auf zwei oder vier Rädern an Bewusstlosigkeit. Wir geniessen also, aber wir bleiben uns unserer Umgebung bewusst.
• Wenn du die Hochsaison/Wochenenden meiden kannst, wegen der Besucherzahlen, wirst du es noch mehr geniessen ;-). 
• Einige Pässe sind über 2000m hoch, also nimm warme Kleidung mit (z.B. technische Skiunterwäsche). Ein durchgefrorener Biker ist ein Biker, der sich weniger auf die Strasse konzentriert.
• Die meisten Pässe sind nicht das ganze Jahr über geöffnet. In der Regel von Mitte Juni bis September. Prüfe also online den aktuellen Status, um sicherzugehen, dass du nicht vor verschlossenen Toren stehst. 

Abe jetzt in English oder Französisch (hier). 3 Tage auf der Route des Grandes Alpes

Day 1

Road book Day 1 (here)

We chose the Maison Laplagne bakery in Lugrin as our starting point. This artisan bakery offers a wide choice of pastries, sandwiches, coffee etc. and will allow bikers to warm up before embarking on this magnificent road trip. This establishment is open every day from 5 until 8 p.m. and has a small car park where you can park your bikes.

Your breakfast swallowed, and after making sure that the luggage is securely stowed on your motorcycle, hop on and head towards the first pass of your road trip from Thonon-les-Bains, namely the Col des Gets (1170m), then the Col de la Colombière (1613m), the Saisis (1657m) and the Cormet de Roselend. We recommend that you take breaks throughout your progress, depending on your state of fatigue and your driving style. But a coffee at Cormet de Roselend, to enjoy a coffee with a view of the lake is almost obligatory.

And we will make our first stopover for the night in Val-d’Isère. This major resort offers many options, both hotels and restaurants. In addition, it is located at the bottom of the Iseran and will allow you to attack this mythical pass in the early morning, when it has not yet been stormed by cyclists, camper vans, etc.

Where to stay in Val-d’Isère?

It seems that the Hôtel-Auberge Saint-Hubert where we had made our last stopover has ceased its activities. So, a search on the booking platforms led us to the Avancher Hotel (more info here). And we were not disappointed. Not only does it offer private underground parking.

The rooms are modern and comfortable and there is even a SPA on the top floor of the hotel, with a sauna on the roof, with a view on the resort. What better way to rejuvenate after a long day on the road? In addition, the hotel offers biker deals with night + dinner + breakfast. So you’ll find what you need! Oh, and the breakfast buffet was great! 

Also, restaurant-wise, we had more choice than on our last stop, where we had to settle for the only open restaurant in the resort, Creperie Val’s. This time there were many more options available. So we decided to go to the restaurant le garage (info here). The name was indeed too tempting, as this restaurant is located in a former garage. But it has more to offer than just a nice setting. The menu is rich and varied, the dishes are hearty and there is a wide selection of craft beers, wines, etc. Yes, because the pilot also needs to be recharged! We hope you like it. 

Day 2

Road book day 2 (here)

For those who choose not to have breakfast at the hotel, there is a very good bakery in the centre of the village, with a pleasant terrace. Boulangerie Chevallot to name but one. And the owner won the title of best craftsman in France at the time. And in addition, it serves coffee / tea. So don’t hesitate to have your breakfast there.

Then, once the check-out is complete and the bike is ready, head to the Col de l’Iseran (2764m). Pay attention to the temperature of the asphalt, however. Cool morning temperatures often rhyme with limited grip. So we raise the temperature of the gums gently and avoid riding full throttle straight away. In addition, there are no guardrails along the road. So if you miss a turn, you will find yourself a few floors below. We say that we say nothing…

Once at the top, and after enjoying the view, we continue our way to the Col du Télégraphe (1566m), the Galibier (2642m) then the Lautaret. Mythical passes of the Tour de France (TdF), they are stormed by hordes of cyclists, some of whom have an unexpected talent for sometimes stopping in improbable places, in the middle of the road for example, to take a selfie. Also, we would only recommend that you be particularly careful when visibility is limited (exiting a curve).

Overnight in Briançon?

Once at the top of Lautaret, you will descend to Briançon. A city that also offers many stopover options. It will be time to make a strategic decision. Stop there to spend the night. Indeed, some, after 3h40 of riding without breaks, and a few meters of positive elevation will be washed away.

Others will prefer to push as far as Barcelonnette, via the Col de l’Izoard and Vars (5h49 and 260km approx.).

You are free to decide according to the mood of the moment. And for accommodation in Barcelonnette, consult the search engines to find an option according to your budget / desire.

And for all those who should be there at the beginning of September, why not combine it with the Alpes Adventure Moto Festival. This is a festival dedicated to motorcycles and enjoying increasing popularity. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the program more than tantalizing: motorcycle tests, piloting workshop, film screenings, secret lunches, etc.

But personally, we found an intermediate solution and decided to camp in the Embrun/Lake of Serre-Ponçon region. 3 Tage auf der Route des Grandes Alpes

Jour 3

Road book day 3 (here)

Last day of a hefty riding, since you will reach Menton via the Col de la Bonnette (2802m), Col de St-Martin (1503m) then Col de Turini (1607m), for a total of 4h22min, without breaks.

Also note that there is an alternative route (here), which goes through the Col de la Cayolle (2326m), and the Col de la Couillole (1678m) for a total of 5h8min, always without breaks.

End of the Route des Grandes-Alpes!

For your way back, there are many options available to you. For those who still have a few days available and/or who would like to avoid the motorway, why not combine it with Mont-Ventoux? See our roadbook -> here <-

No (suitable) motorbike for a long road trip?

Book one in a few clicks on Cruizador

And to conclude, here is a small gallery with the different views gleaned along the way. 

3 Tage auf der Route des Grandes Alpes