Haute Tarentaise Vanoise

Suggestions for cycling loops around Haute Tarentaise

Our grands cols

Col de l'Iseran: one of the Alps' legendary passes. It links the Maurienne and Tarentaise regions, and lies at the gateway to the heart of the Vanoise National Park. At 2770m, it is France's highest road pass, and has become a Tour de France landmark, despite having been climbed only 6 times by the Grande Boucle. The Tour de l'Avenir, on the other hand, uses the pass almost every year.
It is the most popular summer pass for cyclists in the Haute Tarentaise.

Cormet de Roselend: the Cormet de Roselend, whose name "Cormet" means "pass" in Savoyard dialect, was one of the last passes to be developed in the region. The road that crosses it was completed in 1970, and quickly became popular with cyclists and hikers for its spectacular views and sporting challenges. Of the 3 passes, it is the most frequently used by the Tour de France: 14 times since 1979.

Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard: less well-known than the Col de l'Iseran and less used by the Tour de France (4 times), the Col du Petit Saint Bernard is nonetheless splendid. It is the gateway to Italy and the Val d'Aoste. Peaking at over 2,000m, but with a fairly light average gradient, it is a good complement to the Iseran. Its history, marked by the passage of Romans and pilgrims over the centuries, gives this pass a fascinating historical aura, in addition to its remarkable natural beauty.

Coming back in winter

The Haute Tarentaise is the harmonious balance between the wild, natural mountain environment and the proximity of five world-class ski resorts with high-tech facilities.
Staying in the Alps, in the heart of the Haute Tarentaise, means the freedom to discover the most prestigious ski areas, such as Les Arcs Paradiski connected to La Plagne, La Rosière Espace San Bernardo ski area linked to Italy, the discreet charm of Sainte Foy Tarentaise, or Tignes and Val d'Isère whose reputation is well established!

Other events

An area rich in events around heritage, agriculture, culture and local traditions, the Haute Tarentaise offers numerous events every year to liven up villages and resorts throughout the season.

• Saturday, June 13, 2026: Les Feux de la Saint Jean - Les Chapelles
• From June 20 to September 20, 2026: "Purple Solstice" by Natacha Rottier - Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard
• Sunday, June 21, 2026: Fête de la musique - Spectacle "Tribute" - Bourg Saint Maurice
• Sunday, June 21, 2026: La fête de la Pass'Pitchü - La Thuile d'Aoste
• Sunday, June 21, 2026: La Fête du pain - La Gurraz
• June 25 to August 27, 2026: Les Jeudis de Séez
• June 26 to June 28, 2026 - Concerts à la ferme - 2ème édition
• July 2 to August 18, 2026: Xplore Film Tour
• July 4 to October 13, 2026: "Reflets du vivant", participatory exhibition - Voie verte from Séez to Villaroger
• Sunday, July 5, 2026: Fête de la Saint Pierre - Séez
• July 6 to 10, 2026 - Festival Les Hautes Envolées - 2nd edition
• Thursday, July 9, 2026: Musical tale "Purple Solstice" - Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard
• Sunday, July 12, 2026: Les Fêtes de l'Edelweiss - Bourg Saint Maurice
• Tuesday, July 14, 2026: Bal du 14 juillet - Sainte Foy Tarentaise
• Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - Fête des Brévières - Tignes
• July 15 and August 10, 2026: La Voix des Alpages - Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard
• Sunday, July 19, 2026: Les Rencontres du Col du Mont - Sainte Foy Tarentaise
• July 19 to 31: The Arcs Arcs Music Festival Village Tour
• Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26, 2026: Fête du Vieux Val - Val d'Isère
• Sunday, July 26, 2026: Fête du Patrimoine à la Mazure et au Miroir - Sainte Foy Tarentaise
• Monday, July 27 to Thursday, July 30, 2026 - Festival Musica Ricercata
• Saturday, August 1 & Sunday, August 2, 2026: La Foire Savoyarde Avaline - Val d'Isère
• August 3 to 5, 2026: Tour des refuges
• August 4 to 11, 2026: Festival de musique baroque en Tarentaise
• Saturday August 8 & Sunday August 9, 2026: Fête des Clarines - La Rosière
• August 11 to 14, 2026: Festival Les Jours Heureux
• Friday August 14, 2026: Fête des Chapelles - Les Chapelles
• August 21 to 22, 2026: Sainte-Foy Festival - Sainte Foy Tarentaise
• Sunday August 23 & Monday August 24, 2026: Salon de l'agriculture de montagne - Bourg-Saint-Maurice
• August 23 to 28, 2026: Festival de Jazz Manouche - 3ème édition
• Saturday September 5, 2026: "A Tavola! " - Taste the Petit Saint-Bernard - 2nd edition
• Saturday September 19 & Sunday September 20, 2026: European Heritage Days
• September 24 to 27, 2026: L'Etincelle Festival - 5th edition
• Sunday, October 11, 2026: Apple Festival - Les Chapelles
• October 4 to November 1: Xplore Alpes Festival
  

Services

Témoignages

concerning the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard "A place steeped in history, marking the border with Italy. Long, demanding climb through authentic villages. Breathtaking panoramas at the top, with Mont-Pourri and the Italian side of Mont-Blanc!"

Maxime P. concerning the Cormet de Roselend "Difficult climb especially at the start, then at the end, but a magnificent pass, surely one of the most beautiful for me!

Sébastien R.regarding the Cormet de Roselend "Beautiful surface, magnificent scenery, mixed weather today with a very cool temperature felt at the summit... But superb!"

Alexandre D. about the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard "If there's a difficulty, it's the length of this pass. Otherwise, it's an easy climb with a percentage that only varies slightly, 5-6%. Magnificent scenery, it's a pleasure to pedal in a postcard setting."

Christiane C. concerning the Petit Saint-Bernard pass: "Passage between France and Italy. An exceptional site for its beauty: a magnificent panorama with a view of Mont Blanc. What's more, the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass is steeped in history."

Lucas G. about the Iseran pass: "Superb pass! Very long, over 40 Km of climbing, but the percentages are relatively regular. The steepest slopes are before the chevril dam. After the Pont St Charles, it's the altitude that creates the difficulty, as the gradients oscillate between 5 and 7%, except for the last two km at 8, 9%. It's certainly one of the most beautiful climbs in the Alps to add to your list of achievements."

Antoine M. on the Savonne climb: "What a nice surprise!!!! The hamlet of La Savonne is on the road to Val d'Isère and Iseran... frankly, it's not to be missed as the low road traffic contrasts with that of Val d'Isère.... I had to scour the local topo maps to find this remarkable bump and put my wheels down on the road, which is passable by all. But how difficult it is: the slope is devilishly irregular and one passage (a right hairpin shortly before the finish) offers its 20% to the bravest..."

Emma M. regarding the 5 lakes hike: "This hike with its diversified landscapes, towards the 5 lakes, Esola, Riondet, Cornu, Verdet and finally Lac Noir is one of the most beautiful I know in the Beaufortain...breathtaking scenery, a joy in autumn!".

FAQ

• Which Haute Tarentaise pass is the most used by the Tour de France?
  The Cormet de Roselend! It has been climbed 14 times by the Grande Boucle, most recently in 2023. The Col de l'Iseran, meanwhile, has been used 6 times, and the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard 4 times.

• What is the altitude of the Col de l'Iseran, considered the highest road pass in the Alps?
  It culminates at 2770m above sea level. It's a favorite with cyclists, and part of the legend of the Tour de France. Most of the ascent is above 2000m in a high-mountain atmosphere.

• How high is the Tignes dam?
  181m high! Built in 1952, it was at the time the highest arch dam in Europe. Today, it remains the highest dam in France. The pride of post-war France, it led to the expulsion of the inhabitants of the original village of Tignes, which today lies under water.

• In what year was the Parc National de la Vanoise created?
  Created in 1963, it is France's first national park. It was born of the need to protect the ibex, once endangered in the region.
  

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