Briançonnais
Col de l’Izoard and Col du Lautaret; resort descents around Serre Chevalier.
ACTIVITY
Cycling & mountain biking
Legendary road passes, demanding resort descents and long mountain-bike journeys: the Hautes-Alpes can also be explored on two wheels.
Four essentials at a glance
- Best time
- June to September for the passes; spring for the valleys.
- Level
- From relaxed e-MTB rides to bike park descents.
- Guidance
- Cycling instructors and resort hire shops.
- Key areas
- Briançonnais, Guillestrois & Queyras, Embrunais & Serre-Ponçon.
ACTIVITY
Why here
The department has several major road passes, including the Izoard, Lautaret, Col de Vars and Col Agnel on the Italian border.
In summer, several resorts open their lifts to mountain bikers, while valley trails are well suited to e-MTB riding.
Key figures
5,000 km
of waymarked mountain bike routes in the department
Source: Hautes-Alpes Développement (new tab)30
mountain passes approximately, including Agnel (2,744 m), Galibier (2,642 m) and Izoard (2,360 m)
Source: Office de tourisme des Hautes Vallées (new tab)350 km
for the Grande Traversée des Hautes-Alpes by mountain bike, 17,000 m of elevation gain, 7 to 10 days
Source: Hautes-Alpes Développement (new tab)1997
Launch of the Cols réservés by the Département: 28 dates on 19 climbs in 2026
Source: Hautes-Alpes Développement / Département des Hautes-Alpes (new tab)438 km
La Durance à Vélo, from Briançon to Avignon
Source: Hautes-Alpes Développement (new tab)
When to go
- January : Outside the stated periods
- February : Outside the stated periods
- March : Outside the stated periods
- April : Outside the stated periods
- May : Possible months
- June : Favourable months
- July : Favourable months
- August : Favourable months
- September : Favourable months
- October : Possible months
- November : Outside the stated periods
- December : Outside the stated periods
Favourable monthsPossible monthsOutside the stated periods
Dates for your diary
Late May to SeptemberThe whole department
Cols réservés
Every year, from late May to September (2026 dates have passed). 2027 calendar not yet published.
A few car-free hours on the mountain passes, free and without registration.
Source: Hautes-Alpes Développement / Département des Hautes-Alpes (new tab)
Our advice
- Check whether the passes are open: some remain closed until late spring.
- Manage your e-MTB battery on climbs.
- Pack a windproof layer for descents.
- Share the road carefully on passes that are busy in summer.
The editorial selection
- Rental shop
Alpes 2 Roues
Bike rental, sales and repairs in Embrun: mountain, road, gravel, e-bikes and e-MTBs, child trailers.
Embrunais & Serre-PonçonView entry - Guide and mountain leader
Bureau des Guides et Accompagnateurs de La Grave-La Meije
At the foot of La Meije, the La Grave guides office leads mountaineering, off-piste skiing and summer activities on some of the most committing terrain in the Southern Alps.
ÉcrinsView entry - Accommodation
La Crémaillère
A 21-room Logis hotel in Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, certified Accueil Vélo, with a two-wheeler garage, sauna and home cooking by chef Christophe.
Champsaur & ValgaudemarView entry
Latest stories
Cycling & mountain biking
Hautes-Alpes: Granon and Orpierre, 19–25 October
Cycle the Granon on Thursday 22 October or visit Orpierre’s traditional fruit market on Saturday 24: two confirmed events to plan a Hautes-Alpes outing without crossing the whole department.
Cycling & mountain biking
E-MTB in the mountains: golden rules to manage your battery
Elevation, assist mode, temperature: how to avoid running flat before the top.
Your questions
Practical guides
Spots by area
Guillestrois & Queyras
Col de Vars, Col Agnel and the roads of the Queyras.
Embrunais & Serre-Ponçon
The lake circuit and tracks above Les Orres.
Key organisations
Département des Hautes-Alpes (new tab)
Organiser of the Cols réservés
Accueil Vélo (new tab)
Label for cyclist-friendly accommodation and local outdoor operators, nearly 150 labelled in the Hautes-Alpes according to the departmental cycling map
Source: Hautes-Alpes Développement (new tab)
Sources
- Carte vélo des Hautes-Alpes (new tab) · Hautes-Alpes Développement · avril 2024
- Cols réservés (new tab) · Hautes-Alpes Développement / Département des Hautes-Alpes · 2026
- Cols réservés, la tournée des Grands Cols (new tab) · Office de tourisme des Hautes Vallées · 2026
Figures checked on 19 October 2026. Event dates may change: check with the organisers.