It's possible to cycle the P'tites Routes du Soleil® in winter!
Explore the Alps differently, even in winter, on the P'tites Routes du Soleil®!
Between open passes, low-angled light and the pleasure of silence, this unique cycling itinerary offers you an Alpine interlude... on two wheels.
What is Les P'tites Routes du Soleil®?
Les P'tites Routes du Soleil® is a 900-km cycle tourism route linking Thonon-les-Bains to Nice through the Pre-Alps, on quiet little roads often forgotten by the big flows.
Contrary to Route des Grandes Alpes®, they avoid the peaks in favor of more accessible passes, gentler climbs and scenery almost as spectacular.
Since 2025, the P'tites Routes du Soleil® also exist in Gravel mode, but that's more for the summer season! To find out more about the Gravel itinerary, visit this page.
Cape west through the Préalpes
Les P'tites Routes du Soleil® arc due west, far from the big winter sports resorts. We drive between Chablais, Chartreuse, Vercors, Diois, Buëch, Préalpes de Grasse or Niçois hinterland. Corners where snow is rarer, temperatures milder... and roads often calmer.
A real winter alternative for cyclists
One of the great assets of this itinerary is its almost year-round practicability (when the weather is favorable). Most of the passes are below 1,400 m and benefit from regular road maintenance, even in the low season.
In short: you don't have to wait until mid-June to get back in the saddle. All you need is a ray of sunshine and a good pair of long shorts to get going! For more info on ideal periods, check out our guide.
What are the few passes closed in winter?
Very few passes on the route close during the winter. Here are the main exceptions:
- Col d'Herbouilly: In the Vercors, closed every winter, usually from November 1 to April 30.
- Col de Fontbelle: In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, often closed between November and April.
- Col de Corobin: Crossed in 1815 by Napoleon, this pass in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence regularly closes in winter.
- Le Salève : While the Col de la Croisette road remains open, the Col des Pitons road, which gives access to the Salève high plateau, closes in winter when the Nordic area is open for cross-country skiing.
Prepare your winter escape
To ride the P'tites Routes du Soleil® in winter:
- Check the local weather and road conditions.
- Download our GPS tracks on itinerary page.
- Think about equipping yourself against the cold (gloves, overshoes, thermal jacket).
And keep the camera or smartphone not too far away, as the light is often magical.
To sum up
You don't have to wait for summer to enjoy a cycling adventure in the Alps. Les P'tites Routes du Soleil® are a great gateway to winter roaming in all its simplicity. Quiet back roads, accessible passes and the immense pleasure of being outdoors, even in winter.
More info, maps and GPS tracks on routedesgrandesalpes.com.