This scenic 55km "up-'n-back down" from our 2nd Base Camp of Bourg d'Oisan is recommended by tandem duo, Matthew & Linda, who rode it in June 2008 and chronicled it at 'Day 46: La Bérarde: Another lunch in the mountains and a wet descent'. La Bérarde and the small village of St Christophe en Oisans sits in the valley at the same altitude as the town of Alpe d'Huez and is surrounded by massive mountains such as the Meije. The easyish climb to La Bérarde is largely unknown and consequently tranquillity prevails; much more Pyrenean (as the right pics show) in its wildness and peacefulness, unlike the usual Bourg d'Oisans climbs that are packed full of other cyclists and all too often cars.

From Bourg-d’Oisans, follow the road SW towards Briançon as far as Clapier d’Auris and from there, follow the road to Venosc, Saint-Christophe and La Bérarde. After Bourg-d’Arud, a slope of 11% incline over 3 km will lead you to the ’Plan du Lac’ and the campsite at Fétoules which is one of the starting points for rafting on the wild river Vénéon.  From the water sports base you will climb up to Saint-Christope-en-Oisans. The road then leads without effort to La Bérarde and opens up on to one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Alps, including the majestic South-Western slope of the Ecrins mountains (4,102 m) which reveals all its splendour!