Cormet de Roselend is among the extra lovely climbs within the Alps. However keep in mind, the most effective route will not be by way of the primary Route des Grandes Alpes street that climbs the north and south sides. As an alternative, take the third approach up by way of Col du Pré, just like the Critériun du Dauphiné will on June fifth.
Col du Pré is a difficult lovely climb with 26 hairpins and excessive mountain views in all instructions. And simply past the summit is among the nice views within the Alps down in the direction of Lac de Roselend. And better of all? To get to Cormet de Roselend it’s essential to experience over the lac de Roselend dam! Rattling!
The climb to Col du Pré begins instantly in Beaufort. But it surely’s after the village of Arêches the place all of the hairpins start.
Lac de Roselend continues to be not fairly full, so not fairly as lovely as in late summer season. However the views from Col du Pré are wonderful.
On the summit of Col du Pré is a superb gravel street that leads a lot excessive to La Passage de la Charmette. See this previous submit for particulars of the south facet of Cormet de Roselend after which this gravel journey with towering views of Lac de Roselend.
However again to the present experience: I had my drone and tried to take a couple of totally different angles crossing the dam.
After the dam, the route rejoins the primary street at Col du Mérailet (1605m) and runs alongside the sting of the lake.
La Chapelle de Roselend:
The street then leaves the lake and heads greater.
There was nonetheless a good quantity of snow alongside the final couple of kilometres, however the street is nicely cleared and effective for street bikes.
Cormet is a neighborhood phrase for col. Above Arêches on the path to Col du Pré the street splits and one can head to a different lake/dam:
Lac de St Guérin – See right here for experience particulars. And above that’s Cormet d’Arêches at 2100m. I imagine it’s nonetheless gravel above the lake, nevertheless it’s now absolutely paved on the far facet. See right here for a experience concept that goes far above Col d’Arêches to a few cols, one which overlooks Lac de Roselend. And see right here for an previous experience that reaches Cormet d’Arêches after visiting a bunch of excessive gravel cols.
Lastly, as proven on the maps under, I descended the primary Route des Grandes Alpes street that goes on to Beaufort. However there’s some form of development that induced a detour that required some climbing. But it surely’s a scenic, quiet hair-pinned route. Not a nasty detour though my legs have been drained.
What an amazing day. I can’t suggest this route sufficient. Woohoo!