Good driving near Chamonix?

[millband]

Hi, this is a slightly different take on the "driving in the Alps" theme. We're planning a cheapish September break in the Alps for a bit of walking, lazing around and doing the tourist thing. Almost certainly based in Chamonix.

I've negotiated taking my car and I'd love to take a day out while we're there to hit some great roads on my own. Obviously this is nowhere near the classics of the Alp Maritime and the Stelvio etc, but there must still be some fantasic drives - anyone have first hand knowledge?

I've found http://www.alpineroads.com which has some suggestions already - Gorge de l'Arly at dawn looks good!

Cheers,

Steve

[millband]

Anyone?
(just thought I'd bump it while everyone is on lunch and on here)

Edited by millband on Tuesday 19th February 13:21

[GJL]

I am planning an alpine trip in May/June, so if I find any gems I will let you know. Might be worth considering relaxing and enjoying Chamonix for what it offers but choosing good roads (even if a slight detour) there and back.

[millband]

Cheers, that'd be great. I think the trip there and back will be as direct as possible I'm afraid.

I think I'll be tripping over good roads in the Chamonix area if I get up early enough, it's just none of them are famous

[F308 MAN]

millband said:

I'd love to take a day out while we're there to hit some great roads on my own.

personally, i would study the map (michelin road maps have a green edge to scenic roads) at breakfast, make a mental note of a general route and mileage allowance for the day .... nip through the mont blanc tunnel and simply take it as it comes.
enjoy and report, please.
d

[millband]

Will do, and I think your plan is the one I'll end up following.

Just need a courage injection now I've worked out how many hours I'll be spending in my little car just getting it there....

Steve

[F308 MAN]

... let the train take the strain.
calais > nice > calais ... £500 (ish)

d

[millband]

Good idea, but looks like it's £470 ONE WAY to me? Otherwise that might have been interesting as I could do the amazing roads from Monaco on the way into the Alps. The other problem of course is the direct service from Calais finishes the day before I travel - bugger!

[F308 MAN]

have you considered plymouth > santander ?
we have ten cars on in june at a cost of around £300 per car including best cabins.
that is one way, though and the journey is 18-20 hours ... depart noon, take lunch, get pi$$ed, go to bed, wake up in spain (hopefully !)

d

[Turbo5]

F308 MAN said:

have you considered plymouth > santander ?
we have ten cars on in june at a cost of around £300 per car including best cabins.
that is one way, though and the journey is 18-20 hours ... depart noon, take lunch, get pi$$ed, go to bed, wake up in spain (hopefully !)

d

We are doing that on this years Honda Euro Tour, we are doing the Pyrenees then onto milau suspension bridge then making our way up through the alps and route napoleon before hitting the Nurburgring and then home. we planned 10 days for the all tour.

[millband]

Cheers again guys.

The holiday is a week for two in the Alps and not a full-on driving tour (this time at least!). So it's straight there and back but hopefully with a day to myself while we're there. Doing the Pyrenees would be fab, but not this time.

I'm actually fine with the long part of the drive, it'll be an adventure in itself

Just trying to work out how to get the most memorable drive out of Chamonix on my "day off". I've driven a little in the Alps before, around Chambery, Annecy and also a fews days near Monaco so I've some idea what to expect. I reckon most routes will be fun - but if anyone knows of any local gems that'd be fantastic.

Thanks,

Steve

[Alex@POD]

If you want a short drive why not head to Flaine (its a ski resort)? From Chamonix you need to go to Cluses and just before you reach it head north and start climbing. It's full of hairpins and lots of varied turns, with good surface and quite wide so it doesn't matter too much if you misjudge a corner. It shouldn't be too busy at that time of year, once you get past Les Carroz there is nothing but the ski resort a few miles away...

I usually really enjoy that route, wether in my dad's Subaru or my mum's 106 (I always fly home)...

The Col de la Colombiere is really nice too, much narrower and technical though, and once you get stuck behind someone you'll have a hard time overtaking...

To be honest head pretty much anywhere off the valley floor and you'll find something good! Stay off the swiss motorways though if you don't want to have to pay their motorway tax...

[millband]

Thanks Alex, those both look like good ideas

Edited by millband on Monday 25th February 17:51

[Marcellus]

Apologies for the lack of detail but I've left my map at home but here's some outline suggested routes;
1) Through Mont Blanc Tunnel and then take the scenic route to Aosta....turn right and head for Frejus Tunnel and then wind your way back to Chamonix.
2) Head north out of chamonix into switzerland turn left and head towards lake Geneva turn left and come back via Chatel/Morzine/Les Gets
3) South towards Sallanches, left to Megeve, continue towards Grenoble, right to Grand Bornand, right to Les Cluses, right back to chamonix.
4) Sallanch/Megeve/grenoble/route napoleon.
5) South to Les Cluses right to Sameons left over the top to Morzine.

I would suggest you avoid dead ends (such as Flaine) as you only have to repeat the same road/views to get back.

Also if going in June check the reoute of the Tour de France as traffic will be chaotic near the route and could totally screw up your day(s) of freedom.

HTH

[millband]

Cheers for those! The plan has changed a bit now, going to fly there as it's loads cheaper than driving, even in a Smart Roadster. My "day off" in the Alps will be in a basic econobox but still might be fun.

The full dedicated driving tour will wait until another time.

Steve

[Marcellus]

when hiring at Geneva Airport make sure that you Hire on the French side, takes some searching on the car hire sites but there will be "geneva - swiss" and "geneva-france"........can save upto 50%, tiny bit of faffing at Geneva but the saving is worth it....either to pay for the flights or upgrade the smart roadster!!!

[millband]

Good advice, I'll do that

[heyjack]

Hi,

Also if it's not a full driving trip anymore, I can give you many road to drive near Chamonix, as I spent the 22 first years of my life in Cluses, right in the middle of the region!

If you're there the 1st weekend of september, there is also the national rallye du mont-blanc from friday to sunday.

Many of the rallye runs are really fun roads to drive:
- Morzine -> Col de la joux verte -> Ardent
- Cluses -> Romme -> Le Reposoir -> Col de la Colombière
- Samoens -> Col de joux plane -> Morzine
- Cluses -> Les Carroz -> Flaine
- Saint-Jean-d'Aulps -> Le Biot -> Bonnevaux

and many more.... so if you want other advices

[millband]

Thanks Heyjack, I'll note those down We're staying in the middle of Chamonix, and I have the raw power of a Toyota Aygo hire car to play with

We're going a week too late to see the rally unfortunately, I'd love to see that.

Steve

[ESDavey]

I have a place in Les Gets which is the next valley over from Chamonix & would love to drive the Grandes Route de Alpes :

http://www.route-grandes-alpes.com/pages/presse/in...