Col de Solude
This pass makes a good daytrip or half day trip from Bourg
d'Oisans. While on the other side of the valley cyclists by
the hundreds are climbing up Alp d'Huez, over on this side
of the valley there are so few, they still greet one another
when they pass. There are two very special things about Col
de Solud. First: the lower eastern approach is hewn out of
the cliff and has 4 dark tunnels. Second: Several km over
the top are not paved.
Chances are this is not going to be the first bike ride one
does, when exploring around the Bourg d'Oisans area. But
chances are also good, that during that first or second bike
ride you have seen a straight line cut along the cliff south
east of the village. That's the lower part of the road to
this pass.
picture page

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1.(00.0km,716m)
START-END WEST: Bourg d'Oisans
2.(10.0km,1530m) Villard Notre Dame
3.(12.4km,1680m) TOP: Col de Solud
4.(14.5km,1640m) Villard Reymond
5.(23.9km,930m) profile turns right in Palud, left
goes to Col d'Ornon
6.(28.2km,731m) START-END EAST: jct D928 - D1091 in La
Paute |
Approaches
From East. Down in the valley, signs do not name this
pass by name. But signs on the Briancon side of town do have
signs for Villard Notre Damme, and that's the road to this pass.
As soon as the narrow road starts approaching the cliff, a sign
warns cyclists of 4 dark tunnels. Counting another short tunnel,
preceeding the four, actually there are 5. The second one is the
longest, and really does require a light of some sort, because
in the middle you cannot see either entrance, and therefore it
is completely dark. The other 3 are easier.
The road connecting these tunnels is just as hair raising up
close, as you would expect from seeing it at a distance. This is
as close to real exposure on a bike as you can come. Only a low
stone embankment separates the road from the drop off. It makes
a great foreground in photos that celebrate the grandeur of
nature.
This long traverse along the cliff winds around to the south
east side of the mountain, and opens the view shed onto the
highest peaks of the Ecrins National Park. Once the road
switches back to traverse westwards it is still a fantastic
narrow road climbing through the forest. But compared to what it
was before, it is just plain relaxing for the nerves. As another
switchback changes the direction of travel once more, a series
of 3 large waterfalls, one on top of the other, comes into view,
across on the mountain on the opposite side. Now short
switchbacks work the road up to Villard Notre Dame. There is a
gite located here, but I think for groceries you have to go to
Bourg d'Oisans - quite a climb.

left: D219 shelf road leading to Col de Solud
right: unpaved portion over summit
The pavement on the road ends at this group of fortified
looking medieval houses, and a small sign names the upcoming
pass by name for the first time. The road remains smooth with a
surface of small packed stones. It continues to work up the
shoulder of le Grand Renaud. The view of the valley and Bourg
d'Oisans is never far away. Basically the road is heading back
to the west now. As the valley comes into sight in full view,
the road descends a short distance, and now becomes a true dirt
road, though still very smooth. There are actually two crossings
over to Villard Raymond. The one on the right is closed to
public traffic. Past the junction, the other option makes one
more small switchback to the west and crests quickly and
unexpectedly.
From West. (described downwards). Narrow pavement
starts up again also. Quickly the road traverses along below the
houses of Villard Raymond. These are much more spread out over
the hillside than the houses of Villard Notre Dame. This is the
biggest group of settlements next to the road sofar. The big
triangular peak above, le Grand Renaud (2776m) seems to increase
in size drastically, as the road quickly descends into forested
hillside. Finally the road crosses a narrow bridge and emerges
in Ornon on the col d'Ornon
road.

left: looking back to Bourg D'Oisans from
D211
right: telephoto picture, looking across the valley from below
Villard Notre Dame
Dayride with
this point as highest summit:
Col de Solude , D211B
Villard Reculas s(u): Bourg d'Oisans > Allemond
> D211B Villard Reculas s(u) > Huez > Bourg d'Oisans
> Villard Notre Dame > D210 > Col de Solude >
Villard Raymond > Ornon > sp: 50.1miles with 6780ft of
climbing in 5:17hrs (M4:12.6.14).
The last summit ride with different
start and end points on this Extended
Tour is on the page: Col de
Morte
back to Cycling
Passes in Europe
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