Mont Blanc Region Cycling Tour Loop

Black Loop No. 43 in the Field - "Mont Blanc Region Circuit" Technical Analysis: Route: The Haute-Savoie Departmental Council offers about forty marked road routes for exploring the department’s landscapes by bike. These routes are designed as loops, which allows for a variety of landscapes. Round-trip routes are avoided because they make it difficult to understand the continuity of the route and to interpret the signage. The starting point of this loop is in Sallanches, at Pré Curral (bike path along the Biale stream) Technical Summary: Starting City / TER: Sallanches Length: 75 KM Total Elevation Gain: 1,459 m Difficulty: black Route direction: counterclockwise Landmarks and connections: head toward Cordon, then pass above the town center of Combloux, followed by a passage through the town center of Megève to reach the town of Saint-Gervais, and finally circle around Lake Ilettes before returning to Sallanches via the Voie Verte along the Arve River. This cycling loop offers magnificent scenery throughout the route, with numerous panoramic views and a stretch along Lake des Ilettes at the end of the stage. The main climbs are located: - From downtown Sallanches to Médon (5.5% over 8 km) - From downtown Combloux to the entrance to the town of Megève (4.4% over 5 km) - Starting at the bottom of the Route des Ponthieux on the D43 (5.1% over 4 km) Given these factors—distance, elevation gain, and road traffic—this route is intended for athletic and experienced cyclists. According to the official classification system of the FFCT* and the FVT*, this route is classified as suitable for athletic, experienced, and technical riders. Rating and information to consider when promoting the route for e-bikes (Electric-Assisted Bicycles). * FFCT (French Federation of Cycle Tourism) * FVT (France Vélo Tourisme) Summary This proposed cycle-touring loop, submitted to the Departmental Council, can serve as a complement to the existing network of cycle-touring loops of departmental interest. This route could be made accessible to a wider audience through the use of e-bikes (Electric-Assisted Bicycles), but it should be noted that cyclists must be able to handle the various challenges encountered (sections with traffic, steep descents). The route is therefore reserved for seasoned cyclists who have significant cycling experience and can assess the challenges involved. Departmental Cycling Tours: As part of its policy to promote cycling (for transportation, recreation, and tourism), the department implemented marked cycling and competitive cycling routes in 2002. There are 48 such routes, totaling just over 3,000 km in length. This network is designed for experienced and athletic cyclists; it consists of signage on existing roads without the construction of any specific infrastructure. Note: A similar initiative was carried out in Savoie, resulting in 115 routes in the Savoie Mont Blanc region. This project to create new loops in the Pays du Mont Blanc area would expand the department’s offerings.