Les P'tites Routes du Soleil® - FAQ
Les P'tites Routes du Soleil®, what is it?
It's a bicycle route, using asphalt roads, that crosses the mountain ranges of the French Pre-Alps from north to south, or south to north. The starting and/or finishing points are Thonon-les-Bains, in Haute-Savoie, and Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes.
How many kilometers, how many stages?
A little over 900 kilometers for more than 17,000 meters of positive elevation gain, divided into 21 sections, ranging in distance from 27 to 73 kilometers. On this basis, each cyclist can define his or her stages, depending on physical condition, mood, weather...
Where do the P'tites Routes du Soleil® go?
While using as much as possible a network of little-traveled small roads, Les P'tites Routes du Soleil® cross 2 regions, 7 départements, 9 pre-Alpine massifs and pass in, or near, several major towns.
. 2 regions : Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (AURA) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA).
. 7 départements: Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère, Drôme, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes.
. 9 pre-alpine massifs: Chablais, Chartreuse, Vercors, Diois, Baronnies, Buëch, Préalpes de Digne, Verdon, Préalpes d'Azur.
. Towns crossed or nearby: Thonon-les-Bains, Annemasse, Genève, Rumilly (74), Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry (73), Grenoble (38), Die (26), Sisteron, Digne-les-Bains (04), Vence, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Nice (06).
Which travel agencies offer this itinerary?
Our partner LaRébenne offers the crossing the "Grande Traversée des Alpes de l'Ouest":
https://www.routedesgrandesalpes.com/la-rebenne/la-grande-traversee-des-alpes-de-l-ouest
Vélorizons, our other partner offers a Gravel alternative:
https://www.velorizons.com/voyage-velo-route-cyclo/france/alpes/CR1A-gravel-alpes.html
https://www.velorizons.com/voyage-velo-route-cyclo/france/alpes/CR2A-gravel-provence-itineraire.html
When can you start cycling the P'tites Routes du Soleil®?
With a few exceptions (Salève, Herbouilly and Col de Fontbelle) - all of which can be bypassed, the P'tites Routes du Soleil® do not depend on the opening of the passes. So, if the weather's good and you're well equipped, you can take the plunge in early spring or late in the season. Seasonal wings are even recommended to avoid the summer heat, as well as heavier vehicular traffic (whereas it remains very reasonable throughout the year).
And Gravel?
Soon, we promise! A specific P'tites Routes du Soleil® Gravel route is currently being scouted.
