The Mountain Challenge Route

12th - 17th September 2010

Five days from Evian to Monte Carlo over some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Europe

The Mountain Challenge starts from the elegant lakeside spa of Evian-les-Bains, home to the famous water, and finishes in what many consider to be the most glamorous town in the world, Monte Carlo.

In between lies some of the most mountainous and dramatic scenery in Europe broadly following the old “Route des Grandes Alpes” as it threads its way through France, Italy and Switzerland. This is classic rally territory in every sense of the phrase, and many of the mountain roads that you will be driving are steeped in motor sport history. Events like the Monte Carlo, Coupe des Alpes, Liege and Tulip Rallies regularly crossed these mountains, some still do.

But the snow capped peaks and deep valleys of the High Alpes also hide roads and tracks never used by any rally. Virtually unknown except to a few locals, and often not even marked on maps, these ancient routes provide useful shortcuts between remote villages, or vital access to the summer pastures high in the mountains. It is these roads that you will also get the chance to explore - if you are adventurous enough!

Your route, whichever way you choose to go, will take you south to the Mediterranean through what is now France, Switzerland and Italy. However, years ago these mountains belonged to a much older country, one that had its foundations in the 5th century..... so, enjoy your journey through the Kingdom of Savoie…

Day 1: Evian-les-Bains to La Clusaz - Monday 13th September (25 Cols)

Evian-les-Bains lies on the south shore of Lake Geneva, protected from the worst of the Alpine weather by the hills of the Chablais rising immediately behind.

We say hills, but in fact there are some 2500m peaks here plus some 1850m passes! To the east, over the border in Switzerland, the dramatic 3000m peaks of the Dents du Midi drop sharply into the glaciated valley of the Rhone, the other side of which rise the similar height Diablerets.

This is prime skiing country with famous Alpine resorts such as Morzine, Avoriaz, Megeve, Villars, Flaine, Gstaad, Verbier and Chamonix looking grim and bare without their winter covering of snow. However, one place never short of snow is the summit of Mont Blanc which will be ever present on the southern horizon today.

Also ever present will be evidence that the Tour de France cycle race has also passed this way. Indeed your overnight halt at La Clusaz is only a stones throw from the stage finish at Le Grand-Bornand on the 2009 event.

We think it's nice if you can unload your cars, unpack your baggage, and have two nights in the same hotel rather than rushing on each day. Which is why we have arranged two nights in La Clusaz and Sestriere. We hope you agree.

Day 2: La Clusaz to La Clusaz - Tuesday 14th September (24 Cols)

South west of La Clusaz lie some attractive wooded mountains and two beautiful lakes - Lac d’Annecy and Lac du Bourget. Many of the roads in this area will be familiar with those who have done winter events. But some will not as they are inaccessible in winter.

The busy town of Chambery was once the capital of Savoie and south of here rises the famous Chartreuse Massif, with the distinctive mass of Mont Granier rising sheer above the valley of the Isere. The town of Albertville has also found fame, this time as home to the Winter Olympics a few years ago. That fact alone must give you a clue that there are some impressive mountains to climb before you return to La Clusaz for the night.

Day 3: La Clusaz to Sestriere - Wednesday 15th September (24 Cols)

Today we head south from la Clusaz and into the rarefied atmosphere of the High Alpes. For much of the early part of your journey, the Mont Blanc Massif will keep you close company. Indeed one col, if you choose to attempt it, will get you about as close as you can get by car to Europe’s highest mountain without actually climbing it!

You also have the choice, if you wish, of taking the road over the Col d’Iseran - the highest pass in the Alpes at 2764m. This is not to be confused with the highest road in the Alpes which, until recently, was claimed by the Cime de Bonnette at 2802m. You can have a stab at that one later in the week…
There are several ways of reaching Italy, but the ancient route over the Mont Cenis is the favourite - but even this hides a twist…

The famous Italian ski resort of Sestriere is your home for the next two nights and facilities here were recently upgraded to cater for the thousands who turned out for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Day 4: Sestriere to Sestriere - Thursday 16th September (21 Cols)

At over 2000m high it’s a long descent from Sestriere, and a long drive back up again, so you will be climbing some demanding hills today.

To the west lies the highest town in France, Briancon. Crowned by a massive citadel and home to the Alpine Corps. The mountains west of here are dominated by the Massif de Ecrins, only crossed by the lonely Col de Lauteret - where Scott did his Antarctic training.

Eastwards, on the Italian side, the road heads through the mountains past the huge fort at Fenestrelle and onto Turin on the plain of the Po.

Which way will you go today? You will have to wait and see but the choice is yours…

Day 5: Sestriere to Monte Carlo - Friday 17th September (35 cols)

It’s a long way from Sestriere to the Mediterranean, even in a straight line. But you have the choice of nearly three dozen cols between you and the end of the event, fourteen of which are over 2000m with seven of those over 2450m (8000ft). So you had better get an early start if you want to reach the Cote d’Azur before nightfall.

Many of these high passes have been favourites with rally organisers since they first opened, however there are some that have probably never felt the wheels of competition on their surface.

Whichever way you choose to go, we can guarantee that the final day will be the most memorable, particularly when you descend from the mountains to the welcoming warmth of Monte Carlo for a celebratory drink, a good meal, and a soft bed…