La boucle du Ferrand (Circuit n°14)

Departing from Bourg d'Oisans, this circuit is approximately 64 km round trip.

The villages of the Ferrand valley have intelligently resisted the sirens of modernism and have survived the centuries with grace.

With its tangled buildings, its wide stone walls and its tightly packed roofs, Besse-en-Oisans is one of the prettiest villages in Oisans and perhaps even in the Alps. The village is also listed in the inventory of buildings in France. In patois, “bes” means birch because a forest, now completely destroyed by a fire, used to caress the village with its silvery branches.

In the heart of the village, ↘the Maison Départementale des Alpages has very accurately captured the soul of the mountains of this country. This passionate place traces the history of this territory shaped by men over the ages. A fun and educational approach to a living universe through exhibitions, films and old objects.

You will then leave towards Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans then to the assault of the narrow road to Sarenne, closed in winter. Crossing the col de Sarenne you enter the Sarenne valley which will take you to the Alpe d'Huez resort.

Just before the altiport you can discover the ↘archeological site of Brandes (on the left of the road) An exhibition presents this unique site in Europe at the ↘Musée d'Huez et de l'Oisans. You can stop at the resort before going back down to Bourg-d'Oisans.