Location: The river Durance, which rises near Mont Genevrè in the Hautes-Alpes department, close to the Italian border, separates the Dauphiné from the Cottian Alps with its picturesque valley, the Val Durance. On its way to the Rhône, it crosses the towns of Briançon, Embrun and Sisteron before flowing into the Rhône in the Vaucluse department south of Avignon.
Val Durance
Surroundings: The area around the Val Durance, located in the very south-east of France, impresses with its contrasts. Here you will find some of the largest Alpine passes such as the Col d'Izoard, the Col du Galibier, the Col du Télégraphe and the Col du Lautaret in the immediate vicinity and the large and rugged mountains of the Dauphine as well as the gentle grassy peaks of the Briançonnais. To the south, the mountains open out into Provence.
Climate: The region has little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. In Briancon, for example, there are more than 6 hours of sunshine on 300 days a year. The best time to go biking is from mid-June to mid-September.
Biking: From gentle gravel tracks through lovely larch forests to extreme trails with a high alpine character, you can find everything here.
Bike guides:
- VTT Hautes Alpes; Xavier Buffet
- 58 Randos VTT au Pays des Ecrins, Marc Reynaud
Tip: The local mountain guide Stefan Neuhauser knows his way around very well and can offer tours according to your wishes and riding ability:
Info@Bergfuehrer-sn.de
www.bergfuehrer-sn.de
Maps:
- TOP 25 3537 ET Guillestre
- Top 25 3536 OT Briancon
Sights:
- Mont Dauphin: old Vauban fortress with great views
- Briancon: third highest town in the Alps
- St. Crepin: very beautiful original stone village
- Val Clareé with its stone pyr
