Good driving near Chamonix?
Discussion
I guess you've already done your trip by now but its worth noting that the Val D'Arly is often closed in the winter months (September to June) due to the falling rocks caused by the freezing weather which thaws out and falls all over the road. Since its quite dangerous the valley gets closed and you have to detour over the top (all sign posted, towards Henry Ugine) which can be quite a fun road but its often full of traffic especially large trucks and there aren't many good overtaking spots unless you're in a decent car (my diesal Polo just doesn't have the grunt).
When the Val D'Arly is open its a pretty good road with lots of very fast bends and a dual carriagway section.
As you get towards Flumet you can turn right up the D909 towards La Clusaz, once you get higher up towards Grand Bornand the road is good fun.
If you're going over towards Grenoble or Alpe D'Huez then I could certainly recommend the D526 up the Col de Goulon, its listed on the AlpineRoads website and is often VERY quiet. Last time I drove it I only saw 1 oncoming car and had a great little shakedown with a driver in an EDF car who obviously knew the roads very well and worked at the hydro electric station.
As I live in Chamonix I'm returning there with my personal car rather than using the company car so I'll be testing out lots of roads and I'll post the info here when I return to Chamonix in late September.
When the Val D'Arly is open its a pretty good road with lots of very fast bends and a dual carriagway section.
As you get towards Flumet you can turn right up the D909 towards La Clusaz, once you get higher up towards Grand Bornand the road is good fun.
If you're going over towards Grenoble or Alpe D'Huez then I could certainly recommend the D526 up the Col de Goulon, its listed on the AlpineRoads website and is often VERY quiet. Last time I drove it I only saw 1 oncoming car and had a great little shakedown with a driver in an EDF car who obviously knew the roads very well and worked at the hydro electric station.
As I live in Chamonix I'm returning there with my personal car rather than using the company car so I'll be testing out lots of roads and I'll post the info here when I return to Chamonix in late September.
ScanmaN_ said:
As you get towards Flumet you can turn right up the D909 towards La Clusaz, once you get higher up towards Grand Bornand the road is good fun.
Agreed - nice bit of road - went up there last year when staying near Annecy - good view of the lake from the Edelweiss..when the cloud cleared!
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