Route des Grandes Alpes – 3,000km Classic Car Road Trip Across the French Alps
This summer, our app user and community member, Markus Krauss, took on one of Europe’s most spectacular road trips, the Route des Grandes Alpes, behind the wheel of his 60-year-old Austin Healey.
The journey began far from the French Alps, at Lake Constance, tracing a path across Switzerland from east to west before arriving at the starting point in Thonon-les-Bains, on the shores of Lake Geneva. From here, the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes stretches 800 km south to Menton on the Côte d’Azur, weaving through the highest paved passes in the European Alps.
An Alpine Playground for Drivers
The route is a dream for anyone who loves mountain driving:
- Col de l’Iseran – At 2,770 m (9,088 ft), it’s the highest paved pass in the Alps and a highlight of the journey.
- Cormet de Roselend & Col du Galibier – Famous Tour de France climbs with sweeping views and hairpin turns.
- Lacets de Montvernier – A jaw-dropping sequence of tight switchbacks known as “shoelace bends” for their unique, winding shape.
The route features a total of four out of the five highest paved passes in the Alps.
Each pass offers a new vista — from glacier-capped peaks to sunlit valleys — and the challenge of roads that test both driver and machine.
Staying Safe with OnTheWay
Mountain weather can be unpredictable, and on this trip, it was no exception.
Our driver used WeatherOnTheWay more than once to avoid heavy alpine rain and sudden thunderstorms — staying safe and dry without missing a beat of the adventure.
3,000 km of Memories
By the time the Austin Healey returned home, the trip had covered over 3,000 km of varied terrain. From lakeside cruising to high-altitude climbs.
“It’s definitely something you don’t just do once,” our driver told us. “The Route des Grandes Alpes is the kind of journey you come back to...the road, the scenery, the challenge. It’s unforgettable.”
Thinking of Driving the Route des Grandes Alpes?
If you’re planning your own trip:
- Best Time to Go: June to September, when the passes are open.
- Preparation: Check your brakes, cooling system, and weather forecast before setting off.
- Must-Sees: Don’t miss Lacets de Montvernier, Col du Galibier, and Col de l’Iseran.
And of course, bring WeatherOnTheWay to keep an eye on changing mountain weather as you drive.
Have a story from the road? Share your scenic route experiences with our Facebook community, and you might be featured in our next post!
