In reply to altirando:
> Valley de la Claree north of Briancon is very pretty. Try cycling to its head - cars are normally banned above Nevache village.
I've always preferred the Val Clarée in winter, but its worth a visit at any time of the year
But there is a shuttle bus, so its possible to leave the car at the car park, get the bus up the valley then walk back - last time I did this it was by the path on the east side a few hundred metres above the valley base, with lunch at the Refuge Ricou and a detour up to one of the lakes (lac blanc ? haven't checked a map)