Le Grand-Bornand / Beaufort-sur-Doron

This Route des Grandes Alpes® stage between Le Grand-Bornand and Beaufort-sur-Doron passes via La Clusaz, Val d’Arly’s four mountain resorts and that of Les Saisies, plus the village of Hauteluce. You cross between the counties of Haute-Savoie and Savoie. Expect breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, typical mountain villages, plus, in summer, Alpine meadows in flower, ingredients for an unforgettable day’s cycling. It’s made all the better for having two passes to conquer: the Col des Aravis, part of the border between Savoie and Haute Savoie, and the Col des Saisies, gateway to the Beaufortain Range. NB: Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, a village equidistant between Le Grand-Bornand and La Clusaz, is the starting point for an alternative section, involving two stages, taking you via Annecy Lake.

Le Grand-Bornand to Beaufort-sur-Doron via the Col des Aravis and Col des Saisies

Route North / South

From Le Grand-Bornand, there’s a short, 3km-long climb to reach Saint-Jean-de-Sixt. Another 3km and you arrive at La Clusaz, where the first major climb of the day begins from the resort. After rising c.500m in altitude, cycling up an unbroken series of hairpin bends for some 7km, you reach the Col des Aravis (1486m). After the descent, you climb again, to the Col des Saisies. Along the way, you cross Val d’Arly’s resort-villages: Giettaz-en-Aravis; Flumet / Saint Nicolas La Chapelle; Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe; and Crest-Voland Cohennoz (the last located just off the cycle route). From the Col des Saisies (1657m), gateway to the Beaufortain area and the former Winter Olympics mountain resort of Les Saisies, there are some 15km left to reach Beaufort-sur-Doron, going via the beautiful traditional village of Hauteluce.

Route South /  North

From Beaufort-sur-Doron, a lovely climb of some 15km, involving an 800m shift in altitude, leads you via Hauteluce up to the mountain resort of Les Saisies, then on to the Col des Saisies pass (1657m). After descending, you climb again to reach the Col des Aravis. Along the way, you cross through Val d’Arly’s resorts: Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe; Crest-Voland Cohennoz (a bit away from the route); Flumet / Saint Nicolas La Chapelle; and Giettaz-en-Aravis. From the Col des Aravis (1486m), enjoy a 500m negative shift in altitude, cycling down an unbroken series of hairpin bends for some 7km to the centre of La Clusaz. Another 3km on, you reach Saint-Jean-de-Sixt. Add an extra 3km and a short descent to arrive at Le Grand-Bornand.

Don’t miss

• La Clusaz: one of the county of Haute-Savoie’s great mountain resorts.  
• Val d’Arly: La Giettaz-en-Aravis, Flumet / Saint Nicolas La Chapelle, Notre Dame de Bellecombe, and Crest-Voland Cohennoz – four character-filled resort-villages in mountain settings. 
• Hauteluce: an enchanting slope-side village with a remarkable heritage. Plus you can head up from here to the Col du Joly pass (1989m).  
• Arêches-Beaufort : Arêches combined with Beaufort, this mountainous area becomes even more magical, with iconic climbs to tackle!
• Coopérative Laitière du Beaufortain: a cooperative dairy where you can learn how famed Beaufort cheese is made, from milk produced by cows grazing in Alpine meadows. Plus try other Savoie products here.