51,68 Km
6 h 00 min
Very difficult
51,68 km cycling route from Tignes to Bessans
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.
Elevation of the stage
2031 m 1659 m
Details of the stage
↗ 1610 m ↘ 2000 m High/low point 2786 m / 1709 m Max gradient 14 %
Passage points
TIGNES > Val Claret > Chalet de la Leisse > passages abrupts / poussages possibles > Chalet de Prarion > COL DE LA FRESSE > Sommet Marmottes Express > Sommet Daille > VAL D’ISERE > Le Laisinant > Chemin technique > Le Fornet > COL DE L’ISERAN > Cascade > BONNEVAL-SUR-ARC > Rive Droite > Le Villaron > Chemin du Petit Bonheur > BESSANS.
Don’t miss
- Val d’Isère : Both an internationally renowned ski resort that has produced many champions and a very beautiful Savoie village, Val d’Isère, at the foot of the famed Iseran Pass, provides an essential stopover or even “base camp” for those tackling the Route des Grandes Alpes® by bike or gravel bike! From here, set out to conquer Europe’s highest road pass, to feel exhilaration amidst the Alpine summits, to be filled with wonder at such an intense mountain environment and to immerse yourself in the local way of life. Val d’Isère has such a lot to offer.
- Col de l’Iseran (2,764m in altitude) : So to the highest road pass in the Alps! The climb certainly isn’t easy, and is made more difficult by the high altitude. Listen carefully to the weather forecast before deciding to set off and carry warm clothing, as it’s quite common to encounter snow drifts at the summit. During the Tour de France back in 2019, the professional cyclists tackling the Col de l’Iseran from south to north became entangled in one of the most dramatic incidents on the Tour in decades, as mud slides across the road before Tignes meant the stopover at Val d’Isère had to be cancelled… and Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe lost the leader’s yellow jersey too!
- Bonneval-sur-Arc : This, the highest village in the Vallée de Haute-Maurienne Vanoise, is also a little mountain resort… plus it’s a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Its splendid traditional stone chalets covered in stone slates are some of the last examples of their kind to bear witness to traditional mountain living. Do enjoy the lovely walk as far as the hamlet of L’Écot, 4km away, its memorable architecture simple and austere.
Travellers’ reviews