This journey consists of two gravel adventures. First climbing from Valloire to the highest of its Ski Station (2534 metres) through a minimum of 35 hairpins. Then some excellent gravel up a very stunning hidden valley parallel to the paved Galibier street however surrounded by excessive mountains, after which a barely loopy ascent to Col de la Plagnette – bike pushing concerned. Woohoooo !
My spouse and I had 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. The truth is, I used our first hike to do some severe route planning:
However my first objective was to get to the very high of Valloire-Galibier ski station. Ranging from city, if you happen to 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 numerous ski chalets, nevertheless it quickly turns into a pleasant gravel ski-lift service street.
I reached the highest of one of many fundamental 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 carry. The ultimate couple of kms had been steep and I handed some mountaineering college kids so slowly that we may 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 street to attempt to be part of up with the route I had hiked with Doreen the day past. I’m going to publish the picture once more, however whereas mountaineering I had been so transfixed with L’Aiguille Noir. I’ve visited Col de la Plagnette from a distinct path earlier than on a mountain bike, however puzzled if it was attainable from this aspect.
And now I used to be on my bike heading straight at this stunning peak.
I knew the gravel street 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 approach mentioned it was troublesome however not harmful. So I obtained on the path.
Some components had been comparatively straightforward and a few components brutal, however I made progress. Observe, the ultimate 3 kms to the col had been primarily bike pushing/carrying.
However I used to be thrilled and relieved to succeed in Col de la Plagnette (2525m):
Excessive I quickly arrived at 2 alpine lakes which can 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 aspect.
See this previous 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 previous picture beneath exhibits the gorgeous Col des Rochilles descent. It was taken on paved street at 6km marker beneath Galibier summit, however the gravel street is obvious on the left. Many hairpins! Anyway it’s enjoyable when a foolish concept is profitable.
Right here’s a 3D video of this nice route:
