The best road cycling routes around La Fare-En-Champsaur

The region offers diverse terrain, from winding roads through bucolic fields and forests in the Champsaur Valley to challenging mountain passes with significant elevation gains. You'll encounter both smooth, sweeping roads and climbs that test your endurance, often within the stunning landscapes at the entrance to the Écrins National Natural Park.

There are over 60 road cycling routes around La Fare-en-Champsaur, catering to various skill levels. This includes 6 easy routes, 33 moderate routes, and 30 difficult routes, ensuring options for every cyclist.

While the region is known for its challenging mountain passes, there are also routes suitable for beginners and those seeking less strenuous rides. For example, the View of the Champsaur bocage loop from Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur is a moderate 12.8-mile trail that offers a pleasant experience through the scenic countryside.

Road cycling routes often provide breathtaking panoramas. You can experience magnificent vistas across the Champsaur, Dévoluy, and Gap regions from viewpoints like Col du Noyer (1664 m). The routes also pass through the diverse landscapes of the Écrins National Natural Park, featuring fir and larch forests, alpine meadows, and rocky formations.

Yes, the region is dotted with charming villages. The historic capital of the valley, Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, is a medieval town with a charming market and historic architecture. The route Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur – Insane descent loop from La Fare-en-Champsaur passes directly through this picturesque village.

The Hautes-Alpes region benefits from over 300 sunny days per year, making May to September ideal for road cycling. During summer, special 'Cols réservés' events close certain legendary mountain passes to motorized traffic, offering a unique and tranquil cycling experience.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 80 reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the challenging mountain passes, the winding roads with beautiful views, and the diverse landscapes of the Champsaur Valley and Écrins National Natural Park.

Absolutely. The region is renowned for its challenging climbs, including iconic mountain passes. For a significant challenge, consider the Chaillol 1600 – Champoleon valley loop from Bénévent-et-Charbillac, a difficult 52.2-mile trail with over 2,200 meters of elevation gain, exploring the Champoleon valley with views towards the Écrins Mountains.

Yes, many routes in the area are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end in the same location. An example of a challenging loop is the Champoleon valley – View of the Écrins Mountains loop from La Fare-en-Champsaur, which covers nearly 100 km.

Beyond the stunning natural beauty, you can explore several mountain passes that are popular with cyclists, such as Col de Gleize (1691 m) and Col de Manse. The region also features the impressive Chaillol 1600 area, offering great views and a sense of accomplishment after a climb.

Yes, for those who enjoy exhilarating descents after a climb, routes like Lake Aulagnier – Very fast descent loop from Laye offer a thrilling experience. This moderate 53.4 km loop includes a notable fast descent section.