Col du Solude

www.cycling-challenge.com/col-du-solude/

Bring lights for tunnels on balcony road

A superb, near deserted, road with unbelievable views throughout. If you don't mind a few tunnels, this is a truly memorable loop. Remember only paved to the highest villages on each side.

Col du Souchet gravel/offroad

some steep downhills, probably hike-a-bike

At Lac du Chambon, we turned up towards Besse, briefly following the climb to Col de Sarenne. The road remains paved until a few kms past Besse and then becomes a good quality gravel road. After Besse, we leave civilization – and keep heading up into the mountains – the fun really starts here. At 1900 metres we passed Col Nazie – but the road just kept going up. Finally we crossed over the Col Saint Georges (2245m) into a “secret” plateau: Plateau d’Emparis.”

Our next goal was Col du Souchet – this required a little detour onto hiking trails due to a misplaced ranch with unfriendly “do not enter” signs. Boo.

The Col is an amazing place. The glacier-filled peaks of La Meije dominate (these are the same mountains one sees lower down from Col du Lautaret). Sadly for our photos, the clouds had rolled in.

The 6 km descent down to Le Chazelet is not easy – it’s more a steep hiking trail than a road. Talented cyclists can ride most of it, but I had to push the bike for much of it. But again, a beautiful place.

Col de La Sarenne, Auris, and Maronne

www.cycling-challenge.com/col-de-la-sarenne-auris-and-maronne/

Back way up to Alpe d’Huez. Including a balcony road 

While you could do this loop in either direction, going up Col de Sarenne is the better way to visit Alpe d'Huez.

Col du Sabot & Le Collet

www.cycling-challenge.com/col-du-sabot-and-le-collet/

Trust me, this road is far more interesting than Alpe d'Huez. Quieter, higher, tougher. Off the beaten track, in a relatively busy region.

Col du Granon plus 5 Gravel Cols and a Perched Fort

www.cycling-challenge.com/col-du-granon-plus-5-gravel-cols-and-a-perched-fort/

Amazing ride to Col du Granon the 6th highest paved road in France, then unpaved Col hunting