Briancon, start of the Col d'Izoard

Tootle up the whole length of the valley of the river Durance from Marseille. Mediterranean Provence giving way to mountain Provence. Picnic lunch over looking Briancon and its three valleys which in winter become ski centres Les Trois Vallées, etc.

Col d'Izoard route

Col d'Izoard - view south

Then the Col de l’Izoard (2360 m.), remarkable both for the graceful sweeping road route with nicely laid and graded stacks of hairpins that, though challenging, reward working at the flow. And also the tortured geology which culminates at the Casse Deserte at the col and to the south.

Combe de Queyras

Massif des Ecrins viewed from the Col de Vars

Bikes at the Col de Vars

Tootle up the whole length of the valley of the river Durance from Marseille. Mediterranean Provence giving way to mountain Provence. Lunch over looking Briancon and its three valleys which in winter become ski centres Les Trois Vallées, etc.
Then the Col de l’Izoard (2360 m.), remarkable both for the graceful sweeping road route with nicely laid and graded stacks of hairpins that, though challenging, reward working at the flow. And also the tortured geology which culminates at the Casse Deserte at the col and to the south.
The Col de Vars (2108 m.), in contrast, has a very efficient road up the north side to the ski resort with fine views to the Massif of the Écrins, then a classic trace to the Refuge Napoleon and the cafe at the col but a really awful descent on the south side that never flows so you don’t get a rhythm going.
Between the two, the Combe de Queyras, a long sweeping run down the V-valley with the river flowing in spate below.