20
riders
Tunnel du Parpaillon
08:58
95.7km
2,760m
Gravel riding
What a mystical place, the Tunnel du Parpaillon! An old military road leads to it, which was completed in 1901 but fortunately was never asphalted later. Because the gravel road is a true paradise and an absolute must for passionate gravel bikers.
You start this gravel adventure at the summit of the Col de Vars, where there is a large parking lot. After a long descent on smooth asphalt, you turn off the main road in a small community called La Condamine-Châtelard. If you want to get some food for the journey, you can stop at the local bakery here before you tackle the legendary climb to the Tunnel du Parpaillon.
In the following 17 kilometers you overcome around 1,300 meters in altitude. A look at these numbers immediately reveals that things are going up steeply. In some places the gravel is also very coarse, which is why your progress is slow. But the nice thing is: you are in a fascinating landscape. All around you can see beautiful mountain peaks, green meadows and a few idyllic alpine huts. Unbelievably pretty!
At an altitude of 2,645 meters you reach the highlight of this tour, the Tunnel du Parpaillon. Since it is also a popular destination for motorcycle and jeep riders, you probably won't be up here alone. It's pretty wet, muddy and dark in the 500 meter long tunnel - so don't forget the lights!
On the other side you roll downhill over gravel. Shortly before the town of La Chalp you have the opportunity to stop for a break before pedaling towards Guillestre on small asphalted side roads with a great view of the Durance River. At the end of this tour you crank up the Col de Vars, which costs a lot more grains.
Last updated: August 13, 2024
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions. Check ahead to confirm restricted segments are open to the public.
After 34.8 km for 9.23 km
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
29.2 km
Climb to the Parpaillon Tunnel
Highlight (Segment) • Other
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34.7 km
Parpaillon Tunnel
Highlight • Trail
To respond to threats from the Eastern Alps and improve military mobility and transportation the construction of this road up to 2,648 meters began. To tackle the last steep obstacle, a tunnel of 466 meters was constructed, which was enormous for that time.
Work began in 1891, but the very high altitude meant it only be carried out for a few months of the year, and often in tricky conditions with snow and ice. There’s a postcard from the North platform at 2,648 metres, covered by a good 15 centimeters of fresh snow that had fallen on top of the 5-meter high snow wall already.
On the way to the summit, we were already warned about it. But when we passed through the tunnel last July 3, in the middle of summer, there was still ice in the tunnel. For you Pilgrims in September, that ice will no longer be there, but depending on the weather, the descent from 2.648 meters on the shadowed north side can be frigidly cold.
Tip by
35.7 km
Gravel descent from the Parpaillon Tunnel
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Translated by Google •
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60.2 km
The Balconies of the Durance
Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint
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95.7 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
69.5 km
20.7 km
5.27 km
319 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
71.7 km
14.7 km
6.71 km
2.75 km
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Elevation
Highest point (2,640 m)
Lowest point (880 m)
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Weather
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Saturday 11 July
19°C
9°C
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This route was planned by komoot.
Comments
Showing Translation
December 16, 2023
What a mystical place, the Tunnel du Parpaillon! An old military road leads to it, which was completed in 1901 but fortunately was never asphalted later. Because the gravel road is a true paradise and an absolute must for passionate gravel bikers.
You start this gravel adventure at the summit of the Col
Translated by Google •
January 7, 2024
very nice tour but we can do even more gravel less bitumen more dirt...
return via the risoul vars connection of the rolling track which climbs on the ridges return to vars
Translated by Google •
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