Top 20 Mountain Passes around Crest-Voland

The region around Crest-Voland offers several passes with breathtaking views. The Cormet de Roselend is celebrated for its stunning views of the turquoise Lac de Roselend and surrounding mountain pastures, often including glimpses of the Mont Blanc massif. Another excellent choice is the Col du Joly, which provides a spectacular 360° panoramic view of Les Contamines Montjoie, the Beaufortain mountain range, and an unobstructed view of Mont Blanc.

For cyclists seeking a challenge, the Cormet de Roselend is a favorite, featuring numerous hairpin turns and challenging gradients, especially from the Beaufort side. It has been crossed often by the Tour de France. The Col des Saisies is also a legendary climb, frequently featured in the Tour de France, attracting those who wish to test their endurance. For a more intimate experience, the Col de la Forclaz (Queige, Beaufortain) offers a challenging ascent with an average gradient of 7%.

Yes, the Col du Mont-Cenis is rich in history, having served as a trade and military route since Roman times, used by figures like Charlemagne and Napoleon. It features ancient French and Italian forts, and the ruins of 19th-century Italian fortresses offer exceptional viewpoints. The Jaillet Pass also has historical importance, frequented since antiquity and marked by border markers from the Graean Alps and Viennese provinces.

You'll encounter diverse natural beauty. The Col du Mont-Cenis is known for its immense turquoise dam lake, Lac du Mont-Cenis, and unspoiled mountain pastures with rare flora. The Cormet de Roselend also features a large dam lake, Lac de Roselend, and is surrounded by mountain pastures where Tarine cows often graze in summer. The Col des Saisies offers panoramic views, often including distant glimpses of Mont Blanc, the Aravis, and the Chartreuse Mountains.

The region offers a wide range of activities. You can find numerous routes for gravel biking, hiking, and cycling. For example, you can explore routes like the 'Col des Saisies – Col du Very loop from Crest-Voland' for gravel biking, or the 'Lac du Mont Lachat – Lachat loop from Crest-Voland' for hiking. Cyclists can tackle challenging routes such as the 'Col des Saisies – Beaufort loop from Crest-Voland'. You can find more details on these activities in our dedicated guides: Gravel biking around Crest-Voland, Hiking around Crest-Voland, and Cycling around Crest-Voland.

Most mountain passes in the French Alps, including those near Crest-Voland, are best visited during the warmer months, typically from late May to mid-October, when they are free of snow and ideal for hiking, cycling, and scenic drives. Passes like the Cormet de Roselend and Col du Mont-Cenis are generally open during this period. In winter, some passes like the Col des Saisies transform into popular ski areas.

For those seeking a more authentic and less crowded experience, the Col de l'Arpettaz is an excellent choice. It's described as a very nice long pass winding through forest and mountain pastures, offering uncrowded routes with beautiful views throughout the climb. The road is narrow but accessible to all types of bikes, providing a calm atmosphere away from heavy traffic.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning panoramic views, especially those of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountain ranges. The challenging yet rewarding climbs for cyclists, the diverse hiking opportunities through forests and mountain pastures, and the sense of accomplishment are also highly valued. The community has shared over 270 photos and given more than 700 upvotes, highlighting the appeal of these routes.

While many passes offer challenging routes, the areas around them often have easier options. For instance, the Col des Saisies is a versatile destination with year-round activities, and during warmer months, it offers various routes for hiking and mountain biking, some of which are suitable for different levels. The Col de la Lézette also offers a lovely panoramic view and can be a pleasant destination for a walk, especially in summer or spring.

Several passes provide magnificent views of Mont Blanc. The Col du Joly offers a spectacular 360° panoramic view that often includes an unobstructed view of Mont Blanc. The Col des Saisies also frequently offers distant glimpses of Mont Blanc. Additionally, the Cormet de Roselend provides views of the Mont Blanc massif on clear days, and the Col de la Lézette boasts a lovely panoramic view of the Mont-Blanc massif.

Absolutely. The Col des Saisies is a renowned pass that has been tackled many times by the Tour de France, making it a popular destination for cyclists. The Cormet de Roselend is also a favorite for road cyclists and has been crossed often by the Tour de France, forming part of the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

The Col du Mont-Cenis has a unique micro-climate that supports rare flora, showcased in an Alpine Garden open in summer. The area around the Jaillet Pass is part of the Aravis natural zone of ecological, fauna, and flora interest, home to a significant number of rare and protected species such as the round-leaved sundew and the golden eagle. In summer, large herds of Tarine cows often occupy the pastures around the Cormet de Roselend.