Things to Do around Briançon
Briançon is a region in the Southern Alps, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of southeastern France. This area is characterized by its high-altitude setting, with the city itself situated at 1,326 meters, and surrounded by dramatically carved valleys such as the Durance, Clarée, Guisane, Cerveyrette, and Orceyrette. The mountainous terrain and diverse landscapes provide an ideal environment for several sports like road cycling, hiking, mountain biking, jogging, and more.
Things to Do in Briançon
The Briançon region offers more than 4,000 routes for outdoor activities, catering to a wide range of interests and skill levels. Across these routes, more than 422,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars. Road cycling is a prominent activity, with popular cycling climbs like the Col du Galibier, Col d'Izoard, and Col du Granon providing challenging ascents and scenic views. For those interested in two wheels, explore Road Cycling Routes around Briançon. Mountain biking enthusiasts will find an extensive network of trails, including cross-country routes in Parc du Queyras and bike parks in Serre Chevalier. Hikers and joggers can access numerous paths directly from the fortified old town, leading to surrounding passes, ridgelines, and into the vast Écrins National Park. Discover more options with Hiking around Briançon and MTB Trails around Briançon.
264
Routes
4.6
(3343)
Average rating
80123
People visited
4.8
(63)
4,478
riders
98.8km
05:53
2,320m
2,320m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.8
(60)
4,085
riders
88.5km
05:11
2,140m
2,140m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
4.7
(48)
3,705
riders
74.2km
03:58
1,450m
1,450m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.9
(23)
1,990
riders
34.4km
02:29
1,220m
1,220m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(130)
1,733
hikers
9.09km
04:27
610m
610m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.6
(131)
1,200
hikers
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.7
(109)
1,064
hikers
7.44km
02:54
410m
410m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.9
(56)
746
hikers
11.6km
05:08
790m
790m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.1
(8)
1,423
riders
92.8km
06:58
2,190m
2,190m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
4.5
(2)
51
riders
15.8km
01:12
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(8)
22
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(21)
1,365
riders
54.1km
04:08
1,430m
1,420m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(31)
157
riders
42.8km
04:39
1,450m
1,450m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.7
(22)
163
riders
37.8km
04:27
1,400m
1,400m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.9
(10)
143
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.3
(12)
129
riders
33.3km
03:56
960m
960m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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4.8
(16)
136
riders
44.1km
04:37
1,360m
1,360m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
36
riders
63.7km
07:10
1,830m
1,840m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
5.0
(2)
35
riders
84.3km
08:28
2,060m
2,060m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
4.8
(5)
34
riders
40.5km
05:10
1,460m
1,460m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
131
runners
34.2km
05:23
1,870m
1,870m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(1)
138
runners
12.3km
02:26
730m
730m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
3.5
(4)
61
runners
9.69km
01:03
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
57
runners
10.3km
01:17
230m
230m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(1)
18
hikers
25.9km
11:11
1,380m
1,380m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5.0
(3)
16
hikers
15.9km
06:38
820m
820m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
3.0
(1)
17
hikers
7.63km
03:59
660m
660m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
14
hikers
14.2km
06:49
1,080m
1,080m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Briançon?
Briançon offers a variety of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Hiking, Mountain biking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features more than 4,000 routes, with an average rating of 4.58 stars from over 422,000 visitors.
What are the most popular road cycling routes in Briançon?
Briançon is renowned for its road cycling, featuring iconic climbs such as the Col du Galibier (2,645m), Col d'Izoard (2,361m), and Col du Granon (2,413m). These passes offer challenging ascents and panoramic views. Further details can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Briançon guide.
Are there mountain biking trails in Briançon?
Yes, Briançon offers an extensive network of mountain biking trails. This includes 354 km of cross-country trails in the Parc du Queyras, along with bike parks in Serre Chevalier, Puy-Saint-Vincent, and Les 2 Alpes. Trails range from beginner-friendly to challenging cross-country routes. Explore options with the MTB Trails around Briançon guide.
What hiking opportunities are available in Briançon?
The Briançon area is ideal for hiking, with paths leading directly from the fortified old town to surrounding passes and ridgelines. Notable areas include the Écrins National Park, the Vallon de la Cerveyrette, and Lac de l'Orceyrette. Long-distance routes like the GR5 also connect through the region. Consult the Hiking around Briançon guide for more.
Are there easy or family-friendly cycling routes in Briançon?
While Briançon is known for challenging climbs, there are also easier cycling options, particularly along valley floors. The region offers routes suitable for various skill levels, including touring cycling. For more accessible options, refer to guides like Cycling around Briançon.
What natural features and landmarks can be seen in Briançon?
Briançon is surrounded by Alpine valleys such as the Durance, Clarée, Guisane, Cerveyrette, and Orceyrette. Key landmarks include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vauban Fortifications, the Écrins National Park, and high mountain passes like Col du Granon. The Vallée de la Clarée is noted for its clear waters and jagged peaks.
What is the best time of year for outdoor activities in Briançon?
Briançon, situated at 1,326 meters, benefits from around 300 days of sunshine annually, creating favorable conditions for outdoor pursuits for much of the year. The mountainous roads and trails are generally accessible outside of winter snow seasons.
How popular is Briançon for outdoor activities on komoot?
Briançon is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 4,000 routes available. These routes have been explored by over 422,000 visitors, resulting in an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Where can I find komoot guides for Briançon?
Komoot offers several guides for Briançon, covering various sports. These include Road Cycling Routes around Briançon, Hiking around Briançon, MTB Trails around Briançon, and Gravel biking around Briançon.
What is the official website and phone number for Briançon tourist information?
The official tourist information for Briançon is often associated with the Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon tourist office. The official website is serre-chevalier.com. The phone number for inquiries is +33 (0)4 92 24 98 98.
Are there options for gravel biking in Briançon?
Yes, Briançon offers opportunities for gravel biking, utilizing its diverse terrain and network of trails. The region's valleys and mountain paths provide suitable conditions for this activity. A dedicated guide, Gravel biking around Briançon, is available.
What is the elevation of Briançon?
Briançon is one of the highest towns in Europe, situated at an elevation of 1,326 meters (or 4,350 feet). This high-altitude setting contributes to its unique climate and the challenging nature of many of its outdoor routes.
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