La grande boucle des cols (Circuit n°17)
This long and unusual route is used by the riders of the Tour de France. On the menu: the Lautaret, Galibier, Télégraphe and La Cols. Croix de Fer. Real road giants served to you on a platter!
Departing from Bourg d'Oisans, this circuit is approximately 174 km round trip.
Leave early because there will be no shortage of breathtaking views along the way. Mont Blanc, a faithful lookout, will beckon to you from its icy solitude.
Go up the RD1091 towards Briançon to the Col du Lautaret which welcomes you with its ↘botanical garden: a real gem of its kind. Created in 1899, it hosts more than 2 species of high-altitude plants from all over the world. This abundant collection integrated into an exceptional setting at an altitude of 000 m is the most successful in Europe. Stop off at ↘l’Atelier du Lautaret. You will discover a complete range of entirely homemade honey and derived products (gingerbread, hiker's bar, nougat, jam, syrup, vinegar, propolis... and recently soap and moisturizing cream). Véronique and Jérôme will present their profession to you (explanation of how the hive works, honey extraction techniques and the various derived products). Véronique also offers a demonstration of making soaps using honey, beeswax and propolis.
The road then rises to the Col du Galibier, a historic Tour de France pass which has been used regularly since 1911.
As for the roads, it's impossible to get bored. From aerial passes to hairpin bends, the eye never rests, always alert. You valiantly continue through the Col du Télégraphe and the Valloire resort. Continue to Saint Jean de Maurienne. Two options to choose from: the D926, towards Col de Croix de Fer on a spectacular road full of tunnels or from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, follow the D80 towards the Col du Mollard Saint Sorlin d'Arves, to discover the strange church of Saint Sorlin. It is covered with magnificent funeral wreaths made of wrought iron and glass beads.
Join a few kilometers from the col de la Croix de Fer, col du Glandon. ↘The Grand Maison dam is before you: a splendid structure in an absolutely wild setting.
At the River ofAllemond Consider stopping at the ↘GAEC Chévrerie de l'Eterlou – La ferme du Rivier to taste their delicious cheeses.
Go back down to Allemond and Bourg-d'Oisans via the D926.
Leave early because there will be no shortage of breathtaking views along the way. Mont Blanc, a faithful lookout, will beckon to you from its icy solitude.
Go up the RD1091 towards Briançon to the Col du Lautaret which welcomes you with its ↘botanical garden: a real gem of its kind. Created in 1899, it hosts more than 2 species of high-altitude plants from all over the world. This abundant collection integrated into an exceptional setting at an altitude of 000 m is the most successful in Europe. Stop off at ↘l’Atelier du Lautaret. You will discover a complete range of entirely homemade honey and derived products (gingerbread, hiker's bar, nougat, jam, syrup, vinegar, propolis... and recently soap and moisturizing cream). Véronique and Jérôme will present their profession to you (explanation of how the hive works, honey extraction techniques and the various derived products). Véronique also offers a demonstration of making soaps using honey, beeswax and propolis.
The road then rises to the Col du Galibier, a historic Tour de France pass which has been used regularly since 1911.
As for the roads, it's impossible to get bored. From aerial passes to hairpin bends, the eye never rests, always alert. You valiantly continue through the Col du Télégraphe and the Valloire resort. Continue to Saint Jean de Maurienne. Two options to choose from: the D926, towards Col de Croix de Fer on a spectacular road full of tunnels or from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, follow the D80 towards the Col du Mollard Saint Sorlin d'Arves, to discover the strange church of Saint Sorlin. It is covered with magnificent funeral wreaths made of wrought iron and glass beads.
Join a few kilometers from the col de la Croix de Fer, col du Glandon. ↘The Grand Maison dam is before you: a splendid structure in an absolutely wild setting.
At the River ofAllemond Consider stopping at the ↘GAEC Chévrerie de l'Eterlou – La ferme du Rivier to taste their delicious cheeses.
Go back down to Allemond and Bourg-d'Oisans via the D926.
Location details
- In the mountains
Opening
| Opening hours from June 01 to October 01, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Monday | Open |
| Tuesday | Open |
| Wednesday | Open |
| Thursday | Open |
| Friday | Open |
| Open on Saturday | Open |
| Sunday | Open |
according to the opening of the Galibier pass
Services
Activities on site
- Tourist routes