Sommelier and beyond , or not?

[JayC]

Hi, travelling from Bardonecchia to Jafferau and onto Sommelier , does anyone know if a route is possible beyond Sommelier and onto Susa, or even to get onto the SS24? Or does the Sommelier run come to a dead end necessitating in a return to Bardonecchia before picking up Col Basset - Assietta and Finestre?

Ideally I want to do a loop through Jafferau - Sommelier - Colle delle Finestre - Assietta - Col Basset - Sestriere.

Cheers.

 

[Wapping]

If you plot the sites out in Google maps and then zoom right in, you can see very minor roads are there which, via a circuitous route, you could join some of them up. Albeit, Jafferau seems to be a dead end (assuming I am looking at the right one).

I suggest a local small scale map and / or a go in Mapsource to see if that at least thinks there is a way through. I couldn't find Sommelier at all in Google.

 

[Noddy]

Hiya Jay,
both Jafferau and Sommeiller are dead ends. If you start from Bardoneccia your best bet would be to do Sommeiller first then Jafferau.

Coming back down from Jafferau will put you in the right direction for Sestriere for the Assietta, Finestra and down into Suza.

Might be possible to do this in one very long day in September.

We (Team Flatlanders) have this area well mapped out after more than a few trips over on GS and pogos.

 

[JayC]

If you plot the sites out in Google maps and then zoom right in, you can see very minor roads are there which, via a circuitous route, you could join some of them up. Albeit, Jafferau seems to be a dead end (assuming I am looking at the right one).

I suggest a local small scale map and / or a go in Mapsource to see if that at least thinks there is a way through. I couldn't find Sommelier at all in Google.

Yes I have zoomed right in on GE and picked up most of the route but at Sommelier it just looks like a pack of ice. Anything after this is obscured by snow/ice on the screen.

Sommelier - 45 07 30 - 06 48 14

The Michelin map (527) I have just says on the key "difficult or dangerous road" and then it simply stops.
I think it may be a case going as far as poss, turning back and picking up the other route.

Thanks for looking.

 

[JayC]

Hiya Jay,
both Jafferau and Sommeiller are dead ends. If you start from Bardoneccia your best bet would be to do Sommeiller first then Jafferau.

Coming back down from Jafferau will put you in the right direction for Sestriere for the Assietta, Finestra and down into Suza.

Might be possible to do this in one very long day in September.

We (Team Flatlanders) have this area well mapped out after more than a few trips over on GS and pogos.

Thanks Noddy!

Ideally I wanted to approach from Modane or Susa but if coming from Bardonecchia am I right you'd peel off right just before the tunnel for Sommelier? Then come back down to Bardonecchia then pick up Jafferau via Royeres?

I'd be interested to see your map if you're that way inclined, failing that I will play it by ear as I'll have plenty of time.

I will be in this region in the 2nd week of June - passable?

 

[Noddy]

Thanks Noddy!
Ideally I wanted to approach from Modane or Susa but if coming from Bardonecchia am I right you'd peel off right just before the tunnel for Sommelier? Then come back down to Bardonecchia then pick up Jafferau via Royeres?
I'd be interested to see your map if you're that way inclined, failing that I will play it by ear as I'll have plenty of time.
I will be in this region in the 2nd week of June - passable?

Ok if I have you right, from Bardo rail station go through the twisty tunnel and then turn left by the hotel Sommelier and follow your nose through Rochemolles and get as far up as you can.

There is no access to Jafferau from Royeres, the proper way up is via Salbertrand, little left turn in the middle of the big wide hairpins.
You can risk taking a short cut down to Savoulx, nobody normally bothers you coming down but the trail is a restricted route for residents and work vehicles. Its a long steep climb and the noise is enough to wake up the locals at the top.

2nd week of June I have known the tops still closed in July when its Stella time.

August is a nightmare with trail closures for weekends and odd dates for cycle riders and ramblers not to mention its jam packed and boiling hot.

I favour September, we have had the place to ourselves most times and the rush is over and everybody is a lot more laid back.

I will copy what I can of the maps and route cards and send them to you pm me your details. Are you hoteling or planning on camping ?
A lot of the area is GSable but some of the best is really only pogo.

 

[JayC]

Ok if I have you right, from Bardo rail station go through the twisty tunnel and then turn left by the hotel Sommelier and follow your nose through Rochemolles and get as far up as you can.

There is no access to Jafferau from Royeres, the proper way up is via Salbertrand, little left turn in the middle of the big wide hairpins.
You can risk taking a short cut down to Savoulx, nobody normally bothers you coming down but the trail is a restricted route for residents and work vehicles. Its a long steep climb and the noise is enough to wake up the locals at the top.

2nd week of June I have known the tops still closed in July when its Stella time.

August is a nightmare with trail closures for weekends and odd dates for cycle riders and ramblers not to mention its jam packed and boiling hot.

I favour September, we have had the place to ourselves most times and the rush is over and everybody is a lot more laid back.

I will copy what I can of the maps and route cards and send them to you pm me your details. Are you hoteling or planning on camping ?
A lot of the area is GSable but some of the best is really only pogo.

Appreciate your input on this Noddy.

I could re-schedule my hols if necessary though that would be a tough decision to make as I'm gradually getting psyched up for the adventure. It would be nice to have the area relatively free and so I shall be considering your advice on which month is best.

I'll drop you a pm re my details.

I also intend to drop down to Col de Tende and (find) tackle the Val Del Sale route , or part of, in the Maritime Alps. From what I have seen this too is best tackled on a lightweight but hey, who is to say the whole route needs to be undertaken? Some of this route literally has roads hanging in the air and reputedly not for the faint-hearted!

On the whole I shall be but in Tende I may go for accommodation so as to get the clobber off the bike and explore with a much lighter load for a whole day before moving on toward Splugen.

 

[swissrob]

if coming in from the highway the frejus tunnel will cost you €24 !!!! go over the pass from the french side - its bit of a detour but soooo much nicer.

the som is a dead end unless you are a mountain goat.

do the som first and then onto the jafferau , it is possible to do as a through road but its not strictly allowed and there is no way i would ever consider it on a GS, on a light 250/30 yes but GS no way.

coming back from the jafferau i would take the turn to fort foen and then follow the road down into savoulx - ignore your maps that show a route from foen to prerichard.

some roads are closed on rotating days from June 1st to September 30th this is to allow people using horses, MTB etc periods away from motorised traffic.. it actually makes sense.

http://www.bardonecchia.it/index.jsp?a=117611&exp=72730 some info.....

I had a talk with the commune and they said the map is incorrect - the jafferau is open , there were some other corrections also but minor.

If you want a hard but good ride do the tre croci in bardo - once at the top acording the map its not allowed to continue but there is a sign saying procede at you own risk - this will be the hardest road you do in the area.

there is a nice road from fort bramafam to passo mulattiera - stop at the ski cafe colomion and have a chat with the owner and they will give u info on the area as will the owner of hotel ziel which is a basic but good place to stay - he is an enduro rider and will tell you what you can and can not get away with.

oh its a 100 euro fine for being caught on roads when they are closed.

speak with the suaa tourist office as there are many reports of them helping riders plan off road routes. careful if going offroad around the lake on the d1006 the french dont like it and few years ago helicoptered a group of bikes off the top - the guys had to walk back.

i think you are being quite ambitious to do the som, jafferau and assietta, fin in 1 day - you will have a very early start and a late finish and you will find a lot is still closed by snow 2nd week in june TBH

its also worth stopping into the carabinieri station in bardo if you want to travel some closed roads.. we had a chat and put on bit of charm and they gave us a pass to travel some closed roads