This journey contains two gravel adventures. First climbing from Valloire to the highest of its Ski Station (2534 metres) by way of no less than 35 hairpins. Then some very good 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 have 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 journey. So I selected it rigorously. In truth, I used our first hike to do some critical route planning:
However my first purpose was to get to the very high of Valloire-Galibier ski station. Ranging from city, for those who look carefully on the map you’ll see it’s nothing however hairpins early on. It’s paved for a few kilometres and I handed varied ski chalets, but it surely 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 solution to the excessive level on the high of one other elevate. The ultimate couple of kms have been steep and I handed some climbing faculty youngsters so slowly that we might have a pleasant chat and so they kindly cheered me on. However I made it! Good views and a flowery 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 prior to this. I’m going to submit the photograph 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 potential from this facet.
And now I used to be on my bike heading instantly 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 mentioned it was tough however not harmful. So I obtained on the path.
Some elements have been comparatively straightforward and a few elements brutal, however I made progress. Notice, the ultimate 3 kms to the col have 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 might be sadly pretty dry/empty. It was a brief journey to Col des Rochilles (2496m) – which I do know – and an extended, bumpy descent to Plan Lachat on the Galibier north facet.
See this outdated journey 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 outdated photograph under reveals the gorgeous Col des Rochilles descent. It was taken on paved highway at 6km marker under Galibier summit, however the gravel highway is evident on the left. Many hairpins! Anyway it’s enjoyable when a foolish thought is profitable.
Right here’s a 3D video of this nice route:
