La Bérarde is at the end of the road and literally at the end of the world! An extraordinary road in the midst of a high mountain landscape. A steady slope allows you to admire the view. Your calves will probably remember two more strenuous sections!
Itinerary no. 17 of the “Cycling in Oisans” guide (Oisans Tourisme)
Departure / Arrival: Bourg d’Oisans 720 m
Time: 4 h
Distance (R/T): 66 km
Highest point: 1715 m
Lowest point: 720 m
Total ascent: 1250 m
Max. gradient: 11%
Map: Michelin Local Map no. 333 Isère, Savoie
ITINERARY
From Bourg d’Oisans, follow the road D1091 towards “Briançon / Les 2 Alpes” as far as “Clapier d’Auris”.
Turn right and follow towards “Venosc / Saint Christophe en Oisans - La Bérarde”. From there, you cannot go wrong, there is only one track.
After Bourg d’Arud, a slope with an 11% gradient over 3 km will lead you to the “Plan du Lac”. Take advantage of the ride alongside the turquoise waters of the Vénéon River to recover. Then, after 3 kilometres, the road begins a new series of hairpin bends (11% gradient over 3 km) to reach Saint Christophe en Oisans.
From here, a narrow balcony road leads without effort to La Bérarde and opens up on to one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Alps, including the majestic South-Western slope of the Ecrins mountains (4 102 m) which reveals all its splendour! (Or should we say just a part of it...)
66 km
|
max. 1714 m
min. 717 m
1250 m
1250 m
| |||
Accessibility | ||||
Style : Mountain Public : Cyclists |
From Bourg-d’Oisans, follow the road towards Briançon as far as Clapier d’Auris
Follow the road to Venosc, Saint Christophe en Oisans and La Bérarde.
After Bourg d’Arud, a slope of 11% incline over 3 km will lead you to the ‘Plan du Lac’.
This is also one of the starting points for rafting on the wild river Vénéon. From the water sports base you will climb up to Saint Christophe en Oisans.
Then the road leads without effort to La Bérarde.
The view opens up on to one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Alps, including the majestic South-Western slope of the Ecrins mountains (4,102 m) which reveals all its splendour! (or maybe not…?).
One of the oldest painted sundials in the "Dauphinoises" Alps.Dating from 1669, it bares an inscription stating "sun that doesn't know end" . Its needle disappeared and was replaced in 1998. The Roman numerals mark the hours with dots. The number 666 is supposed to represent the flames of hell. This must be seen in the context of the counter-reformation which saw the friars of the Bourg d'Oisans convent attempt to evangelise the Protestants in the Oisans.
The church of Venosc is a mixture of several styles. Built in the 9th century, it has undergone numerous modifications over the years.Romanesque church dating from the 9th century, but which has been modified and enlarged over the years. The modern nave was built in 1910 thanks to the Carthusian fathers. The altarpiece dates from the 17th century and is in the baroque style. The two saints are St Paul and St Peter. St. Peter and St. Paul are inseparable. They are the two pillars of the Church and tradition has never celebrated one without the other. St. Peter is the titular of the church and St. Paul the patron of the parish. The church is one of the best endowed in the Oisans, partly thanks to the donations of rich donors such as Jacques Rochette and peddlers who made their fortune. The bell tower houses the oldest bell found in the Oisans, dating from 1622.
A legendary road! This road was opened to motor vehicles in 1921, so no more 7 hours of climbing from Grenoble! In the 1960's a special feature appeared with a time schedule for the ascent and descent.As soon as the road was finished, buses came into service, carrying not only passengers, but also the orders for various shopkeepers (bread, meat, tinned goods, etc.). This winding road became damaged with the passage of time, requiring a further five years of work, but in 2000, users were able to appreciate its new, slightly wider, shape that did not detract from its original beauty. A stop-off is recommended in the hamlet of Les Étages to admire the highest Oisans summit, the “Barre des Ecrins”, at 4,102 m.
Topo guides references :
Itinerary no. 17 of the “Cycling in Oisans” guide (Oisans Tourisme)
Map references :
Michelin Local Map no. 333 Isère, Savoie
Phone : 04 76 80 03 25
Email : info@oisans.com
Website : www.bike-oisans.com
From 05/01 to 10/31 : open daily.
Depending on snow conditions
Oisans Tourisme - 18/03/2024
www.oisans.com
Report a problem
Mountain location