Cycling in the French Alps | Cycling Destinations

HIGH PEAKS, STUNNING VIEWS AND THRILLING DESCENTS

Riding your bike on these spectacular passes is a bucket list moment!

The Alps are Europe’s largest mountain range, spanning nearly 1,000 kilometres and covering 35,000 square kilometres in France.

The Alps also have some of Europe’s highest peaks, with notable differences between the Northern and Southern Alps.

The Northern Alps

The Northern Alps are divided into three departments: Haute-Savoie, Savoie, and Isère.

This region is home to some of France’s most well-known historic ski resorts, including Chamonix and Megève, as well as major skiing areas like the Trois Vallées (Courchevel, Méribel, Les Ménuires) and Paradiski (Les Arcs, La Plagne, Peisey-Vallandry).

The Southern Alps

The Southern Alps are divided into six départements: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, and parts of Drôme, Var, and Vaucluse. The most famous ski resorts in this region are Serre-Chevalier, Montgenèvre, Pra Loup, and Isola 2000.

Relaxation and Natural Parks

The French Alps provide numerous opportunities for cycling through their natural parks. In addition to providing habitat for many protected species, the parks feature beautiful lakes such as Lake Annecy, Lake Le Bourget, and Lake Geneva, with the latter being overlooked by the town of Evian, famous for its waters.

The Alps are an ideal destination for a variety of leisure and outdoor activities so you can have a all in one experience and even throw in some skiing, hiking, mountaineering, white water rafting, pot-holing, and visiting thermal baths, among others whilst on a cycling tour in the French Alps.

Cycling tours with varied terrain and stunning climbs and thrilling descents.

The French Alps are home to some of the Tour de France’s most famous and difficult mountain stages. However, you don’t have to be a pro to appreciate the agony and glory of an epic climb; with a little preparation and the right equipment, you can tackle any of our cycling tours in the Alps. And, because you’re in the French Alps, your efforts are rewarded at the end of the day with a hearty raclette, fondue, or tartiflette accompanied by vin rouge – calories out, calories in!

The French Alps climbs are the stuff of legends. Consider blue skies, crisp air, and snow-capped peaks. Some are Tour classics that allow you to compete against the best cyclists in the world, while others are challenging but manageable ascents through breathtaking scenery. All of these climbs will set your legs on fire, but they are all extremely rewarding when you reach the top.

Wondering why you should visit the French Alps?

The French Alps are one of the best places in the world to go on a cycling tour on a road bike. The Alps are home to many of the world’s most famous climbs, including the towering Col de la Croix de Fer (The Iron Cross), the Lacets de Montvernier – described as one of the most beautiful roads in professional cycling – the alpine desert scenery of the Col d’Izoard, the sky-high Col du Galibier, and, of course, the iconic 21 hairpins of the Alpe d’Huez.

Furthermore, the entire area is designed for cycling, and the locals adore seeing people cycling in their mountains – when epico is riding in the alps, not a ride goes by without someone shouting ‘Allez!’ (Go!) as you climb a steep grade. Cars will even happily follow you at less than 10kph until it is safe to pass – it is truly cycling heaven!

The 3 Vallées and Col de la Loze

The 3 Vallées provides a variety of routes and stunning climbs of up to 2304m. Climbing the Col de la Loze in The 3 Vallées, one of the high points of the 2020 Tour de France, it will provide a challenge for those looking for one. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to cycle in the alps.

Col du Galibier

Col du Galibier is a climb in the region Bourg d'Oisans. It is 34.8km long with 2069m of vertical ascent and an average gradient of 5.9%. It’s a tough climb with the peak situated 2642 m above sea level.

La Marmotte

The annual La Marmotte Gran Fondo, often called La Doyenne, is one of the oldest and most popular cyclosportives in the world. It starts from Bourg d’Oisans, includes Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and finishes at one of the most famous climbs in cycling history – Alpe d’Huez.

2 rides in French Alps

Maëlle’s Long Ride For Coffee

distance

156 km

gain

2207 m

road

Road

time

7 hrs

This big day out for a decent coffee takes in 2000m plus of climbing and some stunning views around lake Annecy. At 155km long you will earn more than a coffee (bragging rights firstly!) so plan your recovery meal well. The climbing comes in the first and final 40km of the ride with the 75km around the lake, being almost pan flat, enjoy the views!

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Tour des Aravis

distance

106 km

gain

2489 m

road

Loop

time

5 hrs

The favourite road ride of pro cyclist Maelle Grossetête and for good reason. Two famous climbs, Col des Aravis and Col de la Colombière, incredible views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding alpine landscape, and descents you won’t forget. This 106km outing gains just under 2500m, go get those climbs!

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