haute tarentaise vanoise dam
Andy Parant
col de l'iseran
Yann Allègre
E-VTT_in_the_mountains
Val d_Isère Tourism

Haute Tarentaise Vanoise

The mountain of a thousand facets

Massif du Beaufortain, massif de la Vanoise
Département et Région : Savoie et Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (AURA)
Principal passes : Cormet de Roselend, col de l'Iseran, col du Petit-Saint-Bernard
Etape sur Route des Grandes Alpes® : Beaufort-sur-Doron / Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Bourg-Saint-Maurice / Val d'Isère
Gravel Route des Grandes Alpes® stage: Bourg-Saint-Maurice / Tignes and Tignes / Bessans

Summary

Suggestions for cycling loops around Haute Tarentaise Vanoise

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's the most popular summer pass for cyclists in the Haute Tarentaise.

Cormet de Roselend: le 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, lends this pass a fascinating historical aura, in addition to its remarkable natural beauty.

VTT au col du Petit Saint Bernard
Photo credit: Andy Parant
Haute-Tarentaise cycling events

Haute-Tarentaise cycling events

montée cyclo de la Rosière
Credit La Rosière Tourisme

Cycling in Haute Tarentaise Vanoise

The Haute Tarentaise, a jewel nestled at the gateway to Italy and the Vanoise National Park, stands out as an exceptional territory for cycling enthusiasts. Although known for its 3 mythical passes: le col de l'Iseran, le col du Petit-Saint-Bernard and le Cormet de Roselend, the region abounds in diversity for road cyclists with resort climbs and climbs considered to be secret!!
Families and occasional cyclists have not been forgotten, their first turns of the wheel can be made on the 24km greenway - separated from the road and dedicated to bikes - between Aime and Villaroger via Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

The Haute Tarentaise is well known for its cycling events, with the Tour de France regularly making a stop here: Tignes, Val d'Isère, Les Arcs, Bourg-Saint-Maurice and La Rosière have all hosted departures or arrivals of the Grande Boucle.
Also, the Tour de l'Avenir stops here every year, providing an opportunity to discover future Tour de France champions.

The Haute Tarentaise on mountain bikes:

  • The Bike Park at Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry boasts 149km of trails, and offers routes in all mountain bike disciplines!
  • The Bike Park Tignes - Val d'Isère is suited to all practices: DH / Downhill, XC / Cross-Country, All Mountain, Enduro, etc. Ride the 220km of dedicated trails and courses!
  • The Bike Park at La Rosière offers 3 DH trails and 6 Enduro and eBike circuits offering up to 1200 m of vertical drop!

You can also discover various electric-assisted mountain bike courses in the lower valley.

Via Ferrata Val d'Isere
Val d_Isère Tourism

Summer in Haute Tarentaise Vanoise Vanoise

Summer in the Haute Tarentaise offers a multitude of sporting activities, mountain hikes and cultural discoveries for all. Here's an overview of what's on offer:

  • Hiking: The Haute Tarentaise offers over 500 km of hiking trails, ideal for family strolls or sporty hikes. You can explore unspoilt areas such as the Vanoise National Park and four nature reserves, offering an incomparable natural setting. Itineraries are available to suit all levels of ability.
  • Family sports activities in the resorts: Haute Tarentaise resorts offer passes including a variety of family-friendly activities, such as accrobranches courses, summer toboggan runs, water activities, climbing sessions on secure walls and much more.

Climbing and Via Ferrata :

For climbing enthusiasts, the Haute Tarentaise offers numerous rock faces to climb, as well as via ferrata routes for a safe climbing experience.

Paragliding: The area is a paradise for paragliding enthusiasts and those wanting to treat themselves to a unique experience, with spectacular views over the valley and surrounding peaks.

Watersports: For a dose of adrenaline, head to the Bourg-Saint-Maurice watersports base for rafting, kayaking or hydrospeed descents on the Isère.

Fishing: Take advantage of the region's many lakes and rivers for a peaceful day of fishing.

In summer, also enjoy high-altitude golf courses, horseback riding and many other activities!

Heritage discovery

  • Remarkable hamlets: The pastoral tradition permeates the villages of Haute Tarentaise, whose architecture of stone, lauzes and local wood gives them a unique mountain charm.
  • Hydroelectricity: The post-war period marked a turning point with the construction of the Tignes dam, a symbol of energy independence and the centerpiece of a vast hydroelectric network.
  • Baroque art: The valley is home to numerous Baroque chapels. Behind their sober facades lie richly decorated interiors, to be discovered as you stroll along.
  • Contemporary architecture: Resorts such as Val d'Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs illustrate the boldness of Alpine architecture, thanks in particular to the visionary work of Charlotte Perriand.
  • Fortifications: To secure the border after 1860, several forts were built in the Haute Tarentaise: Vulmix, Truc, Platte and the Redoute Ruinée bear witness to this military past.

Gourmet discoveries

Visits to mountain pastures and cheese producers: explore the region's mountain pastures and meet local cheese producers. You can watch traditional cheeses such as Beaufort being made.

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!

VTT à la Rosière
Crédit photo La Rosière Tourisme

Other events

Sunday, June 15, 2025: Pass'Pitchü festival - Séez
July 16 to 21, 2025 - Fête de la Musique week - Séez
July 6 to 11, 2025 - Festival Les Hautes Envolées - Week around dance - Villaroger, La Rosière, Val d'Isère, Tignes, Sainte Foy Tarentaise
Sunday, July 6, 2025: Fête de la Saint Pierre - Séez
Sunday, July 13, 2025: Les Fêtes de l'Edelweiss - Bourg Saint Maurice
Sunday, July 13 to Friday, July 25, 2025: Académie Festival de Musique des Arcs https://www.lesarcs.com/festival-de-musique
Saturday, July 26 & Sunday, July 27, 2025: Fête du Vieux Val - Val d'Isère
Sunday, July 27, 2025: Fête du Patrimoine à la Mazure et au Miroir - Sainte Foy Tarentaise
Monday, July 28 to Thursday, July 31, 2025 - Musica Ricercata - Montvalezan, Séez, Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, Val d'Isère & Villaroger
Saturday, August 2 to Tuesday, August 5, 2025: Festival Baroque - Séez, Sainte Foy Tarentaise, Les Chapelles, Tignes
Saturday, August 2 & Sunday, August 3, 2025: La Foire Savoyarde Avaline - Val d'Isère
Wednesday, August 13 & Thursday, August 14, 2025: Festival des Pantomines - Villaroger and Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
Sunday August 17 & Monday August 18, 2025: Salon de l'agriculture de montagne - Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Thursday August 21 & Friday August 22, 2025: Sainte-Foy Festival - Sainte Foy Tarentaise
August 25-29, 2025: Festival de Jazz Manouche - Villaroger, Val d'Isère, Bourg Saint Maurice, Sainte Foy Tarentaise, Les Chapelles
Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 September 2025: Journées du patrimoine
evenement en Haute Tarentaise

Services

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Beaufort-sur-Doron / Bourg-Saint-Maurice

7 Beaufort-sur-Doron / Bourg-Saint-Maurice

40 km
2 h 38 min
Very difficult
A magnificent Route des Grandes Alpes® stage, taking you between the Beaufortain area and the Tarentaise Valley via breathtaking landscapes. Water accompanies you along the way, while Mont Blanc is never far off. Much closer by, the toothy rocky summit of La Pierre Menta watches over your progress. The route wends its way beside lakes, dams and Alpine meadows and up summits, with the climb to the top of the Cormet de Roselend (1968 m) the highpoint, perched above the lake of the same name. From Bourg-Saint-Maurice, choose either to continue along the classic route in the direction of Val-d’Isère and the Col de l’Iseran pass, or to join the Maurienne Valley along an alternative way via the Col de La Madeleine.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice / Val d'Isère

8 Bourg-Saint-Maurice / Val d'Isère

34 km
2 h 04 min
Difficult
A transitional stage it may be, but what an ending it provides, coming from the north, as, once you’ve ridden past Tignes Lake and its gigantic dam, you arrive at Val-d'Isère, one of the most famous of all ski resorts. In its exceptional setting on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, Val-d’Isère is both one of France’s most prestigious ski resorts and a marvellously polished village. It also serves as a kind of base camp for the highest pass along the Route des Grandes Alpes®, the Col de l’Iseran (2764m). Do consider staying here a few days, alternating between cycling, hiking and just drinking in the local atmosphere.
Arêches / Bourg-Saint-Maurice

6 Arêches / Bourg-Saint-Maurice

39 km
4 h 00 min
Difficult
Now, here’s a wild stage leading you into the midst of high mountains and involving riding beside Saint-Guérin Lake and tackling the high Cormet d’Arêches pass. Leaving from Arêches, you follow the Poncellamont mountain stream up to Saint-Guérin Dam and Lake. Do dismount to cross the impressive footbridge suspended 80m above the water. Having enjoyed a breather here, time to tackle the way up to the Cormet d’Arêches, at 2,018m in altitude. Next, you descend towards Bourg-Saint-Maurice via Montgirod (in the commune, or parish, of Aime-La-Plagne) and Vulmix, the latter marked by its fortifications.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice / Tignes

7 Bourg-Saint-Maurice / Tignes

42 km
5 h 00 min
Very difficult
This stage includes a stop at the hamlet of Le Monal (at 1,874m in altitude), a listed site, given its exceptional natural and heritage features. First, you leave Bourg-Saint-Maurice via a greenway leading to Séez, followed by Villaroger. Alternatively, you can take a different route via Montvalezan. Next, it’s on to Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, then Le Monal, before joining the D902 road, two kilometres before Tignes-les-Brévières. From Les Brévières, after a stop to take a phot of Le Chevril Dam, decorated with a monumental image of Hercules, you start the climb across the ski area and high summer meadows leading to Tignes and Tignes Lake.
Tignes / Bessans

8 Tignes / Bessans

52 km
6 h 00 min
Very difficult
From Tignes Val Claret, our cycle route leads you across a part of the Tignes – Val d’Isère ski area. This way, you bypass the unpleasant stretch of road, along with its many tunnels, that links Le Chervil Dam and Lake to Val-d’Isère; instead, admire the spectacular, wild setting as you advance. However, please take careful note, if you have the slightest doubt about your physical fitness, your bike or your weather on this portion, then do opt for the D902 road to reach Val d’Isère. Next, you’ll need to stick to the road for the fabulous climb to the Col de l’Iseran (a pass at 2,764m in altitude), followed by an equally fabulous descent to Bonneval-sur-Arc, a beautiful traditional village, a gem of the Haute-Maurienne Vanoise area, the buildings roofed with stone slates. To reach Bessans, follow the Chemin du Petit Bonheur, offering easy riding perfectly suited to gravel bikes.
vélo en Haute Tarentaise
Crédit photo Andy Parant

Témoignages

concerning the Petit Saint-Bernard pass "A place steeped in history, marking the border with Italy. Long, demanding climb through authentic villages. Breathtaking panoramas at the summit, 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!".

Sainte Foy Tarentaise
Crédit photo Sainte-Foy tourisme

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.

  • 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.

Access

Road access

  • RN90 from Albertville
  • RD902 from Maurienne > Bonneval-sur-Arc > Col de l'Iseran
  • RD1090 from Italy (Val d'Aost) and Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard

SNCF train and bus stations:
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Contacts

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☎ 04 79 41 08 37 www.hautetarentaise.fr email

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