Big Day

Despite its name, the route does not pass through the summit of Pointe de la Grande Journee. It explores the surrounding mountains, including Roche Plane and the Pointe de la Grande Combe. Enough to offer you the technicality of a summer Pierra Menta route, with 2,500 meters of positive altitude difference spread over 29 kilometers.

From Arêches, take advantage of the kilometer and a half of flat ground located at the start of the route to stretch your legs. Then, the serious things begin with the climb to Roche Plane. In five kilometers, you climb 1,100 meters of elevation gain, values worthy of a vertical kilometer. Add to this the very alpine character of the terrain in the last part of the ascent, you obtain a difficulty which will leave traces for the rest of the circuit.

You then begin the descent towards the hamlet of Planay. Along the way, the Plan Villard plateau offers a slight flattened area in a beautiful alpine landscape. Once you reach the bottom of the valley, you attack the second big climb of the day, that towards the tip of Grande Combe. Slightly less technical and steep than that of Roche Plane, it remains just as formidable at this level of the course.

Slightly below, at the twentieth kilometer, you reach Les Arolles, a refuge where you can regain your strength before tackling the last section. Because if the biggest difference in altitude has been overcome, there remains one last difficulty, the Cuvy. From the plateau, you can admire Arêches which you reach after three kilometers on a steep and technical single track.