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Routes
Bike touring routes & trails
France
Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur
Provence
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Briançon
Vars

Col de Vars – Cayolle Pass loop from La Charpenterie

Routes
Bike touring routes & trails
France
Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur
Provence
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Briançon
Vars

Col de Vars – Cayolle Pass loop from La Charpenterie

Hard

100

riders

Col de Vars – Cayolle Pass loop from La Charpenterie

09:05

129km

2,550m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 25, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 55.2 km for 18.5 km

Closed: • November-April (otherwise open)

Waypoints

A

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1

2.05 km

Lac Napoléon

Highlight • Lake

On the shores of the lake, the Napoleon refuge in Vars is one of the six eponymous shelters in the Hautes-Alpes. This building was built in 1856 under Napoleon III, thanks to a donation from Napoleon Bonaparte who bequeathed by will a sum of money to the provinces which had suffered the most from the wars. A guard and his family lived there all year round as "withdrawn from the world", with the pass closed from December 1 to May 15. The refuge will see the beginnings of mountain tourism and the development of the current resort of Claux.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2

4.17 km

Col de Vars

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The Vars pass is located at 2,108 meters and connects the Ubaye valley with the Embrunais. The Col de Vars is a typical passage of the Tour de France, crossed already 35 times since 1947.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3

4.24 km

Ascent of Col de Vars from Les Gleizolles

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

A quiet and rather tame climb - the Col de Vars is overall less spectacular than its neighbors Izoard and Bonette, but still worth a climb!

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4

26.2 km

Jausiers

Highlight • Settlement

The last town before starting the climb to the Col de la Bonette. There are several places to fill. bottles of water and even food if needed. Also, it is a good stopover after climbing the Col de la Bonette.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5

40.0 km

Bachelard Gorges

Highlight (Segment) • Other

Very nice, quiet little road.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6

64.3 km

Cayolle Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The Col de la Cayolle is a little known pass. Its name is not very familiar, yet it culminates at more than 2,324 meters above sea level and offers a remarkable panorama and very quiet roads.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7

108 km

View of Fort de Tournoux

Highlight • Viewpoint

Imposing former fortress built into the mountain.

More information: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_de_Tournoux

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8

120 km

Col de Vars (2109 m)

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

Very nice driveway there are hardly any cars on the road.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

B

129 km

End point

Bus stop

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

94.8 km

28.7 km

3.61 km

1.64 km

Surfaces

129 km

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (2,320 m)

Lowest point (1,120 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Friday 15 May

3°C

-7°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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