Cormet de Roselend is likely one of the extra stunning climbs within the Alps. However bear in mind, the most effective route shouldn’t be through the primary Route des Grandes Alpes highway that climbs the north and south sides. As an alternative, take the third method up through Col du Pré, just like the Critériun du Dauphiné will on June fifth.
Col du Pré is a difficult stunning climb with 26 hairpins and excessive mountain views in all instructions. And simply past the summit is likely one of the nice views within the Alps down in direction of Lac de Roselend. And better of all? To get to Cormet de Roselend you have to trip over the lac de Roselend dam! Rattling!
The climb to Col du Pré begins instantly in Beaufort. Nevertheless it’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 stunning 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 highway that leads a lot excessive to La Passage de la Charmette. See this previous put up for particulars of the south aspect of Cormet de Roselend after which this gravel journey with towering views of Lac de Roselend.
However again to the present trip: I had my drone and tried to take a number of totally different angles crossing the dam.
After the dam, the route rejoins the primary highway at Col du Mérailet (1605m) and runs alongside the sting of the lake.
La Chapelle de Roselend:
The highway then leaves the lake and heads larger.
There was nonetheless a good quantity of snow alongside the final couple of kilometres, however the highway is nicely cleared and fantastic for highway bikes.
Cormet is a neighborhood phrase for col. Above Arêches on the path to Col du Pré the highway splits and one can head to a different lake/dam:
Lac de St Guérin – See right here for trip particulars. And above that’s Cormet d’Arêches at 2100m. I imagine it’s nonetheless gravel above the lake, but it surely’s now totally paved on the far aspect. See right here for a trip 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 trip 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 highway that goes on to Beaufort. However there may be some type of development that brought about a detour that required some climbing. Nevertheless it’s a scenic, quiet hair-pinned route. Not a foul detour though my legs have been drained.
What a terrific day. I can’t suggest this route sufficient. Woohoo!
