モダーヌの峠・トップ20

near the Thabor refuge

Italian-French border, you can get there by pushing the mountain bike the last 50/100 meters of DSL

Beautiful scenery, both the climb and the descent on gravel are a bit challenging. A bit of portage on the climbs and also at least 1km of walking on the descents.

https://youtu.be/Kl8aY-ksp7c?si=lv9_5ko1gQxpJgSM A classic during the Alpine Crossing to the south, as it's well-ridden. The steep downhill section isn't that long and can be pushed without difficulty, so I had no problem with it.

Also known as the Col de la Vallée-Étroite. We've already ridden the pass twice on our tours to the Mediterranean. While the climb from Modane is scenically charming, I only recommend the descent at the beginning. The "technical section" is the opposite of a highlight for me.

Pass which brings together several routes of passage according to different locations

The Vallée Étroite pass, linking Maurienne (Modane) to Piedmont (Bardonèche) at the foot of Mont Thabor (3178m), was integrated into the "Maginot line" of the Alps in the 1930s-40s as a border pass. Following the Franco-Italian agreements of 1947, the border was moved a few kilometers from Le Mélézet, placing part of the Vallée Étroite under French sovereignty. The pass can be reached from two slopes.

Beautiful ride , however ,at least at the end of August 23 , the road in the last few kilometer is in bad conditions . A lot of stones make the ride difficult .I suggest of doing it by Mountain Bike rather than Gravel.