Top 20 Mountain Passes around Saint-Jean-D'Aulps

Among the most popular passes are Col de Joux Plane, known for its challenging climbs, and Portes du Soleil Pass, offering superb views of the Dents du Midi. Visitors also appreciate Jambaz Pass for its quiet alpine scenery.

Yes, Col du Corbier is described as an 'easy-mountain' resort, ideal for family walks along signposted tracks through Alpine meadows. In summer, it's a great spot for family walks and mountain biking, and in winter, it's suitable for young children to experience snow with toboggan rides.

The passes offer diverse and stunning vistas. From Portes du Soleil Pass, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Dents du Midi. La Ramaz Pass provides breathtaking panoramic views of surrounding mountains and valleys, including Mont Blanc from the Praz de Lys. Col du Corbier offers wonderful views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc from Mont Ouzon.

Several passes in the region are famous for their challenging ascents. Col de la Ramaz is a classic Tour de France climb with an average gradient of 7%. The Col de la Joux Verte, at 1,760m, is also a popular and steep circuit from Morzine with sections reaching 8.8%. Col de Joux Plane from Samoëns has an average gradient of 8.9%.

Yes, the region is excellent for mountain biking. Col du Corbier is popular with mountain bikers, and the southern descent from Col de Bassachaux towards Les Lindarets is a rugged gravel track demanding high skill for off-road enthusiasts. You can find more trails in the MTB Trails around Saint-Jean-D'Aulps guide.

The passes serve as excellent starting points for hikes. From Col de Bassachaux, you can embark on numerous hikes to places like Mont de Grange, Pointe de Chésery, Les Lindarets, and Lac Vert in Switzerland. Col du Corbier offers signposted tracks through Alpine meadows. Explore more options in the Mountain Hikes around Saint-Jean-D'Aulps guide.

Several passes in the area have been featured in the prestigious Tour de France. Col de la Ramaz has been included multiple times (2003, 2010, 2016, 2023). The Col de la Joux Verte has also been a part of the race multiple times. Col du Corbier saw the Tour de France pass through seven times between 1975 and 1988, and Jambaz Pass has also been part of the route.

The region is rich in natural beauty. Near Col de la Ramaz, you'll find impressive rock faces of Pointe de Marcelly and views of Col de Foron. The area around Col de la Joux Verte features open meadows and the famous 'goat village' of Les Lindarets, leading to the stunning Lac de Montriond. Col de Bassachaux is an emblematic geosite of the Chablais UNESCO World Geopark.

The summer months are generally ideal for visiting the mountain passes, especially for cycling, hiking, and enjoying the Alpine meadows. For instance, the Refuge de L'Auberge de Haute Bise at Col de Bassachaux is open from mid-June to mid-September. During summer, Col de la Ramaz sometimes closes to cars, allowing cyclists to fully enjoy the climb.

Yes, near the Col de la Joux Verte, you can descend towards Les Lindarets, famously known as the 'goat village' due to its free-roaming goats, and then pass the beautiful Lac de Montriond. At Col de Bassachaux, reading tables at the summit help visitors understand the surrounding landscapes, including Mont de Grange and Lac de Montriond, highlighting its status as a UNESCO World Geopark geosite.

You can find various road cycling routes that incorporate these scenic and challenging passes in the Road Cycling Routes around Saint-Jean-D'Aulps guide. Routes like 'Brevon Road – Jambaz Pass loop from Saint-Jean-d'Aulps' offer extensive cycling experiences.