The best road cycling routes around Saint-Guillaume

There are over 35 dedicated road cycling routes around Saint-Guillaume. The area is particularly known for its challenging terrain, with 20 moderate and 18 difficult routes, offering significant elevation gains through the Vercors massif.

Road cycling in Saint-Guillaume is primarily suited for experienced cyclists. The routes often feature sustained climbing and significant elevation gain, with 20 routes rated as moderate and 18 as difficult. There are no easy routes listed in this guide, reflecting the mountainous nature of the Vercors Regional Natural Park.

The region is rich in dramatic landscapes. You'll cycle through the Vercors Regional Natural Park, known for its massive vertical cliffs, deep gorges, and extensive forests. Notable natural features include mountain passes like Col de l'Allimas and Col des Deux, offering panoramic views. The area is also close to Lake Monteynard-Avignonet, famous for its turquoise waters and Himalayan footbridges.

Yes, the Vercors is renowned for its spectacular mountain passes. Cyclists can challenge themselves on climbs like the Col de Rousset, Col de la Machine, and Pas de l'Essaure. The 'balcony' road of Combe Laval (D76 Cirque de Combe Laval) is also a dramatic route with impressive cliffs and gorges, offering a thrilling experience.

Yes, all the routes highlighted in this guide are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. For example, consider the challenging Col de l'Arzelier – Col des Deux loop from Col de l'Arzelier, which covers nearly 50 km with significant elevation through the Vercors massif.

The duration of routes varies depending on their length and elevation. For instance, the Col de l'Allimas – Col des Deux loop from Gresse-en-Vercors, covering 44.9 km, typically takes around 2 hours 42 minutes. Longer routes, such as the Collet of Sinard, 900 m – Col de l'Arzelier loop from Gresse-en-Vercors (66.1 km), can take over 3 hours 40 minutes.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 70 reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the challenging ascents, the stunning panoramic views from mountain passes, and the generally excellent road conditions with minimal traffic, especially within the Vercors Regional Natural Park.

While specific public transport connections directly to all route starting points are not detailed, the Isère department features the V63 cycle route along the Isère valley, which is accessible and connects various towns. For routes deeper into the Vercors, personal transport is often more convenient for reaching trailheads.

While the routes in this guide focus on the Vercors massif, the region's proximity to Lake Monteynard-Avignonet means you can easily combine cycling with a visit to the lake. The lake is known for its turquoise waters and the famous Himalayan footbridges. For more information on the footbridges, you can visit grenoble-tourisme.com.

The region is considered a 'cyclists' paradise,' suggesting that spring, summer, and early autumn offer the most favorable conditions. During these seasons, you can expect excellent road conditions and pleasant weather for tackling the mountain passes and scenic routes. Winter cycling might be challenging due to snow and ice at higher elevations.

The road cycling routes around Saint-Guillaume, particularly those in the Vercors Regional Natural Park, are predominantly rated as moderate to difficult due to significant elevation changes. This guide does not list any easy routes. For less challenging options, you might explore sections of 'La Belle Via' or the V63 cycle route in the broader Isère Valley, which offer flatter terrain.

Many routes, such as the Col de l'Allimas – Pont de Brion loop from Gresse-en-Vercors, start from villages like Gresse-en-Vercors or Col de l'Arzelier, where public parking is generally available. It's advisable to check specific starting points for parking facilities before your ride.