5 gravel routes in Haute Maurienne Vanoise
What is gravel?
The bike's frame resembles that of a road bike, but the tires are wider and notched, with flared handlebars for easier steering and disc brakes for greater efficiency. A bike that recaptures the spirit of grandfather's bicycle, which made it possible to go everywhere at a time when not all roads were paved, but with 21st-century technologies.
"Some cyclists think that riding on trails or climbing mountains on tracks is very difficult, but what counts above all is desire," explains Jérôme Furbeyre, "you also need to know how to ride at speed, without getting burnt out on the climb. Gravel also allows you to pedal in a car-free environment, and offers enormous freedom: you can take a path, a grass track, a footpath... It' s an adventure! On the other hand, you need to prepare your routes carefully to avoid getting stuck or having long portages. At Haute Maurienne Vanoise, we are fortunate to have a number of gravel-accessible itineraries, such as the superb " chemin du petit bonheur " at the bottom of the valley, or most of our cross-country mountain bike trails, which are classified as green, blue or red".
Gravel outings
with Jérôme FurbeyreThe Malamot
A track to an old fort at nearly 3000 m altitude!Jérome Furbeyre: "The Fort of Malamot (2917m) is one of the highest fortifications at altitude. It was built by the Italians more than a century ago. The fort is perched on the ridge that leads to the Pointe Droset and offers an exceptional and unobstructed view of the surroundings of the lake and the Mont Cenis pass. Its strategic position and its military activity were short-lived: disarmed in 1915, it was nevertheless the scene of some bloody battles, like those of June 1940. Recovered by the French in 1947, today it fights against time and lives in the place, solitary and silent. It is also a goal of extraordinary exit in gravel.
The departure is made from the left bank of the Mont Cenis dam, the track has been completely redone and allows to reach easily the dam. We cross then the dam, that allows to put itself in leg on this long and unusual straight line, then we begin to climb on the former military track. The turns follow one another and the rise becomes more and more physical but it is pure alpine gravel. And what a reward at the arrival! The view is extraordinary and the site is incredible with this old fort above the clouds. We are in the domain of the ibex, which can be observed quite often in this sector.
Val Cenis. Departure from left bank of Mont Cenis dam, 2300 m. Arrival at Malamot fort, 2917 m. Return by the same route.
The Clapier pass
In the footsteps of HannibalJérome Furbeyre: "If the classics are at the origin of traditional cycling, the "all road" adventure courses in the mountains are a good description of what alpine gravel can be in the future. The Haute Maurienne valley has this singular characteristic: long cross-border rolling valleys and emblematic places that are witnesses of historical episodes that can be covered perfectly in gravel. With this itinerary, we follow the path of the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who passed through here more than 2200 years ago with his army and his elephants. The trail leads to the Savine lake (2443m) and then to the Col Clapier (2477m).
A day of riding on a more than original route. The departure is made at the level of the refuge of the Petit Mont Cenis then we take the track which leads to the valley of Savine. There is a short portage to do just before the Savine lake but it remains quite easy and the exit is accessible to all sportsmen. It is also a very varied route, with a nice grassy plain, the beautiful Savine lake, then rocks at the pass. Rather than going back down immediately, you can also extend the adventure and spend the night at the Hannibal bivouac, a designer hut located just after the pass on the Italian side. This border area is quite frequented by French and Italian hikers and that's quite normal: it is simply magical."
Val Cenis. Departure from the Petit Mont Cenis refuge, 2120 m. Arrival at Clapier pass 2477 m. Return by the same route.
The Fréjus pass
Rolling and very varied memory pathJérome Furbeyre: "A route that I like very much on a path of memory. Above the resort of Valfréjus, the departure is from Le Lavoir. We take the track which leaves on the side of the cheese dairy of Le Lavoir (what allows to make the stock of beaufort of mountain pasture to the return!) then towards the Pas du Roc. We go along the old bunkers of the Maginot Line of the Alps, theater of furious fights during the Second World War, in particular in June 1940 when the Italians tried in vain to pass on this side, then we join the Fréjus pass, at the Italian border.
A rolling and very varied route. At the arrival, we have a superb view on Italy and on the big summits and glaciers of the Vanoise, like Polset or the Dent Parrachée. This sector on the heights of Valfréjus offers many other possibilities of gravel outings, with notably the col de la Roue, the narrow valley or the refuge du Thabor. Very high mountain itineraries which are however more technical and physical than the Fréjus pass which remains more accessible.
Valfréjus. Departure from the parking of the Lavoir, 1905 m. Arrival at the Fréjus pass 2538m. Return by the same route.
The bottom of Aussois
Gravel in the heart of the Vanoise National ParkJérôme Furbeyre: "A classic itinerary is quite busy at the height of summer. This is understandable: the setting is simply magnificent and the ride is fairly easy. Personally, I really like this gravel outing because it's a fun and varied way to get out and about in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, with a nice reward on arrival at the refuge: superb views, home-made pie and beer brewed by the refuge keeper!
Departure is from the Aussois dam parking lot. The trail skirts the Plan d'Amont lake and climbs to the Sétéria bridge. Don't follow the path along the stream, but stay on the classic hiking trail, even if there is a slightly more technical section with rocks. You may have to make a short portage, but you'll soon reach the valley that leads quietly to the refuge. We're in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, with lots of marmots and... hikers! As always, you have to be careful to ensure that cyclists and hikers get on well together.
Aussois. Departure parking of the quarry (Aussois dams) 2000 m. Arrival at the Fond d'Aussois refuge 2346 m. Return by the same route.
The pass of Sollières
Big gravel tour and 1400 m of ascentJérôme Furbeyre : " A superb tour starting from Val Cenis-Termignon. We climb by the track until the Replat des canons then we join the Sollières pass, at 2760 m of altitude, that is to say 1400 m of difference in altitude! But don't worry, it climbs well on a very good track. The first part is done in the forest then we join the old military track until the pass. A very varied itinerary which offers a superb panorama at the arrival on all the plateau of Mont Cenis. It is also a sector of memory because there too furious fights took place during the Second World War, in particular in the last months with German soldiers who had entrenched themselves on the Mont Froid and French who tried to dislodge them.
Once at the pass, we can leave by the same route but I advise to go back down to the Petit Mont Cenis refuge for a well deserved break. Those who still have energy can then continue towards the fort of Pattacreuse or go back down by the pass of Mont Cenis and Val Cenis-Lanslebourg. A great gravel adventure!
Val Cenis. Departure from Val Cenis-Termignon, 1300 m. Arrival at Sollières pass, 2760 m. Return by the same route or by the pass of Mont Cenis.