Haute Tarentaise Vanoise

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.

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

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

Services

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!".

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.
  

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