This is part of section 20, perhaps 2% of the whole of the detailed part of French Alps guide - some introductory material is also included. The other sketch map number (23) refers to another section, to the west. Numbers and letters in ovals denote passes and their references in the text. Two or more cols with the same number are reached with essentially the same climb.
Our Central French Alps guide covers about the same region as the mountainous parts of Michelin map 77 at 1:200,000 and includes the northern part of Drôme. Michelin map no. 244 in its southern half also covers the area at the same scale. For Italy see below. If you are going to attempt roughstuff, the Didier Richard sheets at 1:50,000 (about 3/4 mile per inch) are ideal. Relevant sheets are: no.4 (Chartreuse), no.6 (around la Grave), no.7 (around Gap), no.10 (south of Briançon) and no.12 (south of Grenoble, mainly northern Drôme). It is easiest to buy these maps once you are in France.
The Central French Alps show the full transition from the northern Alps with their abundant snow and green valleys to the drier areas to the south where temperatures are higher. Nowhere is the change more dramatic than on the Col d'Izoard. Along with the adjoining Italian Alps this area is notable for its large number of high roads. Some 11 of Europe's top 35 roads are mentioned in the Central French Alps guide with a particularly high concentration around Briançon and just across the Italian border.
It is possible to cross the central French Alps in a day or two but this really would be a wasted opportunity. The areas around Briançon and Grenoble are good for a week each at least, especially if the many scenic cul de sacs are visited. These are often quiet and well worth the effort.
The French Alps guide is fairly complete for surfaced cols over about 1500m.
Other lower routes are mentioned if OCD Members have sent information
and especially if they proved popular or unpleasantly busy.
On the map numbers show passes described below and letter codes show rough routes described in the companion guide to this. More details are available from our roughstuff guides to the area jointly with the RSF under the title 'Western Alps' as referenced at each entry.
IN ITALY
If you want to explore the Italian side of the border in the region shown in the central part of this guide you will need the Touring Club Italiano map "Piemonte, Valle d'Aosta" at 1:200,000, about 1 inch to 3 miles. The map is not as accurate as Michelin's equivalent for France and is more expensive. T.C.I. maps are stocked by a number of larger book shops (£5.99 per sheet in 1999).
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Compiled for the OCD from Members' reports by Fred Wright and John Haigh. Please keep the information flowing in!
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Internet Note This section no. 20 is one of several in our Central French Alps guide which is Part 2 in our Alpine series. (There are eight parts in all.) Cols are numbered 20i (i is another digit) corresponding to Section 20 in Part 2. Letters instead of numbers indicate that the col is on an unsurfaced route. There are occasional references to past issues of our magazine "Cycloclimbing". See the OCD Home Page for details of joining the OCD and buying guides - we are willing to sell a single guide (only) to non-Members.
Much of the area around Grenoble was described by John Thacker in 'Cycloclimbing' no. 25. It can be reached by train from Paris or by air to Lyon, about a day's ride away.
For those going up the Romanche valley (southern edge of map extract - main road was unpleasantly busy in July-August 1997), there is a very scenic cul de sac into the Massif des Ecrins from near le Bourg d'Oisans to la Bérarde, 1738m. Not a claim but well worth a look. There are 26km of road, mostly widened by 1997, superb views and the odd tunnel. It is quite steep between Bourg d'Arud and St Christophe. The village itself has a C.A.F. refuge, two hotels and shops.
201. L'Alpe d'Huez, 1860m Known best as a cul de sac often used by the Tour de France as a stage finish. It rises SE of Grenoble off the Lautaret road. There are 21 numbered hairpins and much of the 14km climb is as steep as 10%.
As a cul de sac it is not an OCD claim, however the 201. Col de Sarennes, 1996m (or Michelin now says 1999m, sign exaggerates at over 2000m!) to the east has been developed as a surfaced through road giving an interesting and scenic way out with the bonus of an OCD claim. In 1997 this road was well surfaced on both sides, an improvement on only a few years earlier. To reach this col from the west, fork right (sign "Poids Lourds") just before l'Alpe d'Huez. On the east side there is a steep bit below Mizoën; on both sides the slope is 12% in parts.
There is also an alternative way out to the west via Villard-Reculas to Allemont at the foot of the Croix de Fer col (see no.204 below). It was newly surfaced in 1988 and recommended. However the stretch above Villard-Reculas was narrow and with a poor surface in 1992. To the north is a cul de sac road past the 201. Col de Poutran, 1996m to a very scenic lake. To reach the actual geographical col, you do not need to go to the lake; instead turn left and follow a grassy track signposted "Oz Station, Pra Butin" for 200 yards.
204. Col de la Croix de Fer, 2068m is a minor road off the west side of the Lautaret ascent. There are three routes down much of the east side towards St.Jean de Maurienne (rather limited choice of hotels in 1983). The main (westerly) route was well surfaced in 1997. Beware of taking the wrong turning when ascending on this side; not all roads descending are wrong on the general climb! There was good accommodation at St. Sorlin d'Arves in 1991.
The main summit has a pleasant hotel and bar and plenty of snow is still around in June. The main climb has several tunnels and is quite hard.
The minor routes, of which the one through Le Collet is said to be the prettier, both include the scenic 204. Col du Mollard, 1638m which is quiet (June 1992) and easy with magnificent views. A Member in July 1999 recommended the Mollard (not saying which of the two possible routes) rather than the usual north side. It was quieter and less steep and had a lot of trees to offer shade. The surface was mostly fine and you miss out the two descents of the main climb.
The south side, as shared by the 204. Col du Glandon, 1924m, is minor and scenic. It has several steep parts especially at the new diversionary dip around a major rock-fall at the Défile de Maupas at 1300m, making the climb much harder than it was years ago. The Hôtel Biniès, far down this side in Allemont, is recommended.
The other side of the Col du Glandon, in a beautiful forested valley with good views, leads to la Chambre. This north side is quite difficult, especially near the summit where it is steep. It is very quiet, even in August (1986 report). St.Colomban, half way up the north side has refreshments. The Hôtel Moderne in la Chambre gives good value in rooms and meals.
208. Col du Sabot, 2100m. The road to this col was apparently surfaced for the first time in 1999, when it was used in the women's Tour de France. The start from the south is as for #204. Croix de Fer, but after Allemond you turn right, climb through Vaujany to la Vilette and then take a new road, with some loose gravel on it , to the pass. There are 4km at 10% and more than 8km at 8%, and the total climb (from Rochetaillée) is 1400m. There are good views from the pass, including Mont Blanc in the distance and the nearby dam, the barrage de Grandmaison.
The Lautaret, Télégraphe and Galibier cols are covered in the Briançon section (26) below. Along with the Croix de Fer, these are the passes of the Brevet de Randonneur des Alpes (B.R.A.) held every two years in late July. Thousands of riders take part and the list closes with many left out. The event is held every odd year. In 1999 it was clockwise, in 2001 it will be the reverse, alternating as usual. The course of 270km (169 miles) involves 4650m of climbing.
Jock Wadley immortalised the event in his book "My 19th Tour de France" in 1973.
In 1981 the event was, unusually, stopped by very bad weather before the first col was crossed! More details of the event were given in 'Cycloclimbing' no.13, in no.60 (May 1992, Neville Chanin) and in no.74 (May 1996, Patrick Douglas).
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