From Thonon to Menton — the great crossing of the French Alps

The Grande Traversée des Alpes françaises (the great crossing of the French Alps) from Thonon-les-Bains to Menton runs north–south along the border between Italy and France. It’s a superb adventure that starts from Lake Geneva and goes all the way to ‘la grande Bleue’ – the Mediterranean ocean.

This Collection includes around 700 kilometres (435 mi) of beautiful mountain roads and crosses 17 of the most prestigious passes in the French Alps, such as the Galibier, Saisies, Iseran, Télégraphe, Lautaret or the Izoard and the famous lunar land of the Casse Déserte.

The itinerary also leads you to other lesser known passes that offer some lovely, unexpected surprises. All this is served to you on a platter in nine stages with a recovery stage on day four.

You can do this route in a week if you’re particularly fit, but I advise you to take your time for this crossing in order to best appreciate the marvel that this mountain range represents.

This Collection is primarily aimed at fit, experienced cyclists who want to experience a challenging adventure. The best way to cover this distance, and above all to tackle the steep climbs that go with it (almost 19,000 metres/62,330 ft of elevation gain), is to travel light in bikepacking mode on a road or gravel bike.

Work on the Great Alps Road began in 1909 and was completed almost three decades later in 1937. Its aim was, and still is, to promote the mountain landscapes and to encourage tourism, first by bicycle and then by car.

This route passes through seven departments. As you cycle from north to south, the landscapes gradually change and the mountain ecosystems evolve. The nine stages are well-calibrated and are an average of 75 kilometres (47 mi) per day. Each Tour length takes into account the elevation gain, too.

The stages all end in either a village or a small town, ensuring that you can easily find accommodation and food. This adventure shows you the natural heritage of the French Alps as well as their historical and architectural heritage. You stay in La Clusaz, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Briançon, Barcelonnette, and Saint-Martin-Vésubie among others.

The arrival in Menton is fantastic; it's wonderful to descend from the mountains and reach the sea. The contrast is always striking and the pleasure renewed each time. Menton, the lemon capital, is worth exploring. Don’t rule out an extra day of rest – in fact, it’s highly recommended.

The routes can only be ridden between early spring and autumn and the ideal time is between late April and late September. Travelling outside of these periods can be hazardous and even dangerous, as the weather changes quickly in the mountains. No matter when you ride, bring rain gear and warm clothing.

To get to the beginning of the route, the ideal way is by train. Thonon-les-Bain and Menton are well served by rail.

Enjoy your trip!