Motorcycle accommodation in Hautes-Alpes with secure parking

The Hautes-Alpes is the department every motorcyclist dreams about the moment they hear the words Izoard, Galibier or Agnel. This is the Southern Alps at their most intense : legendary passes, wild valleys, and villages perched above 2,000 metres. From the vast lake of Serre-Ponçon to the remote Queyras plateau, passing through the lunar landscape of the Casse Déserte and the pristine Clarée valley, the 05 offers a rare diversity of scenery. Briançon, the highest city in France, is a natural base, but Gap to the south or Guillestre in the heart of the Queyras work equally well for day rides. Motorcycle season runs from May to October, with passes opening progressively depending on snowfall. Roads are generally well maintained but demanding : tight bends, variable surfaces at altitude, heavy campervan traffic in July and August. Carry water, fill up at Guillestre or Briançon before tackling the major passes, and always check road conditions via the InfoRoute 05 service.

What to see and do in the Hautes-Alpes?

The Hautes-Alpes overflows with sites to explore between hairpin bends. Briançon, a UNESCO-listed fortified city, deserves a proper stop in its medieval old town with steep cobbled streets and Vauban ramparts. The lake of Serre-Ponçon, a vast artificial reservoir ringed by mountains, offers spectacular viewpoints along its shores, especially toward the Baie Saint-Michel with its half-submerged church. The village of Saint-Véran, perched above 2,040 metres in the Queyras, is one of the highest communes in France and its timber chalets exude an incredible serenity. The Casse Déserte, that otherworldly landscape of ochre rocks cut through by the Izoard road, is a mandatory stop. The Écrins National Park and the Queyras Regional Natural Park protect absolutely pristine Alpine scenery. In Embrun, the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral Notre-Dame-du-Réal towers above the Durance river. The Demoiselles Coiffées of Pontis, striking glacial rock formations, are well worth the detour. Fort Queyras, a castle remodelled by Vauban, guards the Guil valley. Don't miss the tourtons du Champsaur, traditional stuffed fritters, and stop by Gap for its lively market.

Motorcycle routes in the Hautes-Alpes: legendary passes and wild valleys

In the 05, every motorcycle outing is an event. The D902 is the backbone of any rider's trip: it links Briançon to Guillestre via the Col de l'Izoard (2,361 m), cuts through the Casse Déserte, and continues to the Col de Vars (2,109 m) toward the Ubaye valley; A full day of riding that barely scratches the surface. To the north, the D1091 climbs from Briançon to the Col du Lautaret (2,058 m), then connects to the Galibier via the D902b (2,642 m), an absolute must, closed in winter, magical from May to October. Into the Queyras, the D947 from Guillestre winds up the Guil valley to Fort Queyras, while the D205T pushes on to the Col Agnel (2,744 m) toward Italy : little-known, vertiginous and sublime. To the south, the D942 skirts the shores of Serre-Ponçon between Embrun and Gap with constant views over the turquoise water. For riders who enjoy a Provençal twist, the D942 heading toward the Gorges de la Méouge offers a smooth transition from high pastures to garrigue. The entire department forms the alpine heart of the iconic Route des Grandes Alpes, from the Galibier all the way down to Vars.

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