Cycling across the Alps from North to South
7th September to 15th September 2024
The Route des Grandes Alpes is one of Europe’s most iconic cycling routes, taking you through the French Alps, from Geneva to the Côte d'Azur on this fantastic eight day tour. From the Northern Alps and the Mont Blanc range right to the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea via some of the most mythical cols in the world of road biking: L'Iseran, Le Galibier, La Colombiere, L'lzoard and many more... Cycling doesn't get any better than this!.
This 720 kilometre traverse of the Alps winds along mountain sides, glaciers, mountain pastures and forests, taking in around 18,500m of climbing and 16 major cols.
The Route des Grandes Alpes sits up there alongside Route 66 or the Silk Road as one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It’s also one of the toughest and longest classic road cycling itineraries there is.
Crossing the French Alps, from North to South, from lake shore to Mediterranean coast, by bike is incredibly special. The scenery is stunning; panoramic view follows panoramic view.
You get the chance to appreciate the variety of Alpine landscapes along the way, from Mont Blanc to the Southern Alps and finally Menton.
For those that are aiming to add to their tally of famous cols conquered, the route gives you the chance to bag some of the most iconic climbs of the Tour de France and some of the highest paved roads in Europe. Staying in the Alpine villages also really gives you a feel for the local culture and local passion for the Tour de France.
The local cuisine is fantastic too – for example Alpine cheese specialities such as Beaufort, Abondance and Tomme de Savoie. You definitely have to taste them as you pass through the regions!
It’s one of the must-do cycling tours in France (and Europe)!
Arrival / Departure Transfers
We are offering transfers from Geneva airport to your hotel in Evian and to Nice from our final destination Menton, which provide flight options from several UK airports. The following itinerary is based on the Easyjet flight EZY2883 from Bristol arriving 9:15 on the 7th, and the return flight on the Sunday from Nice, Easyjet EZY2768, departing 18:05 on the 15th. There are alternatives provided by Ryanair and Jet2.
Our transfer will aim to leave no later than 10:15am for the journey to the hotel, so your flight will need to arrive at least 1 hour before then.
Bike Hire
Unfortunately, due to the nature and location of this tour we are unable to offer bike hire.
Accommodation
Your accommodation is provided in excellent hotels at each of our destinations. The holiday is priced, based on a twin occupancy of a double room. However should you wish to opt for a double room to yourself, this is available at the time of booking and priced accordingly. Please note single occupancy rooms are limited and available on a first come first served basis.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner will be included at the hotel and lunch, which is not included, will be along the route each day, in local cafes and tavernas. It is usual to eat communally although of course you are free to opt out if you wish.
Support
We will carry emergency energy gels and bars and fruit with extra water but you are advised to bring along your own preferred sports nutrition to fuel your ride and for recovery each day.
- One of the most iconic and beautiful European cycle routes
- Ride through stunning views of glaciers, forests, and lakes.
- Accommodation in lovely villages and towns with luggage transfers
- Two support riders and a support vehicle for basic mechanicals and food and water
- The Route des Grandes Alpes is a cycling adventure that will challenge you physically and reward you with unforgettable memories.
What is included in the tour
- 8 Nights accommodation in beautiful hotels selected by us on a shared occupancy basis (Twin & Double Occupancy Available)
- All breakfasts and dinners. (8 Dinners, 8 Breakfasts)
- Road Guides providing Basic Mechanical Support plus First Aid / Medical kit & Moral Support
- Support Vehicle, including luggage transfers
- Daily ride briefing and route information via a digital road book
- GPX route provided for information
- Port Velo Tour Club Jersey
- Airport transfer service at specified times
- Daily photos & Videos
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any Meals/Drinks/Services not mentioned in the inclusions
- All Fights/Travel to and from the start of the tour
- Alcohol, Soft Drinks, Beverages, Not Included with Meals
- Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
- Travel Insurance
- Tourist Tax
Optional Extras
- Bike Hire
With Port Velo Cycling Road Tours are delighted to offer you the chance to ride the classic and iconic cycling trip to the Alps, a fantastic nine day tour - The Route des Grandes Alpes.
The Route des Grandes Alpes is one of Europe’s most iconic cycling routes, taking you through the French Alps, from Geneva to the Côte d'Azur on this fantastic nine day tour. From the Northern Alps and the Mont Blanc range right to the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea via some of the most mythical cols in the world of road biking: L'Iseran, Le Galibier, La Colombiere, L'lzoard and many more... Cycling doesn't get any better than this!.
This 720 kilometre traverse of the Alps winds along mountain sides, glaciers, mountain pastures and forests, taking in around 18,500m of climbing and 16 major cols.
Arrival Day
After arriving into Geneva and our transfer to Evian, you will be given time to settle into your rooms and assemble your bike and setup ready for the upcoming days of riding. Time should allow us to go for a local ride to test out bikes and get to know each other, over a drink. This evening we will enjoy relaxed dinner and then its time to get a good nights sleep.
Day 1
Lake Geneva to La Clusaz
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Briefing: 9:15
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Distance: 101km
Climbing Total: 2591m
Lunch: TBC
Dinner: 7:30pm
Our first day as we start our adventure crossing the French Alps we take you into the idyllic Chablais mountains.
The beautiful valleys of Abondance and Giffre and the Portes du Soleil resort area offer us the perfect warmup. Things get serious when attacking the Aravis mountain range with their knife-edged peaks and impressive rocky crags.
After a flat course around the lake, the route heads towards the source of the river La Dranse de Morzine, which keeps us company to begin the 19.4 km climb of 2.8% to the first summit of the tour on Col de Gets at 1168 metres.
After Gets, the route descends into Taninges. There is a brief 1.5 km run along the main road before the short climb of the Côte de Châtillon-sur-Cluses, 2.4km at 4.6% up to 744 metres. The climb holds this average gradient for most of the time, with two short sections close to double figures. A winding descent with three switchbacks leads into Cluses where the route crosses the river Arve, taking us to the foot of the Col du Colombiére.
The Col du Colombiére is the main challenge of the day and a weighty hint at what awaits in following stages. From Scionzier, on the outskirts of Cluses, the climb is 16.7km long with an average gradient of 6.8% up to 1618 metres.
The Colombiére should not be underestimated, but it can be managed if approached as a challenge of two equal parts. The first goal is the commune of Le Reposoir after 8 km, which cradles a welcome 1 km respite from the relentless gradient.
The climb starts with a tough section through the trees with pitches above 12% until after the village of Neyrolles. The road then finds the mountain ridge and opens out with a nicer gradient up to Le Reposoir. Take it easy and recover for a moment.
After Le Reposoir the climb steepens again, firstly as switchbacks, then straightening out for the haul to the summit with a series of pitches above 10%.
What follows is a fantastic descent down through village of Le Grand Bornand to Saint-Jean-de-Sixt to the foot of the Col des Aravis. A short 4 km to La Clusaz is gentle with an average gradient of just 3.3% and a maximum of only 6.6%.
La Clusaz is a ski resort known for the beauty and authenticity, its chalets and cowbells dominate the soundscape for the evening of our first stopover.
Day 2
La Clusaz to Séez
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Briefing: 9:15
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Distance: 94km
Climbing Total: 2911m
Lunch: TBC
Dinner: 7:30pm
Today begins with us heading up the Col des Aravis, though the gradient is mostly in the 5% – 7% range with its summit some 8km from the hotel. The Col des Aravis (1486 m) with its perfectly laid out hairpin bends in the middle of the alpine meadows allows us a breathtaking view of the Aravis range including Mont Blanc and its glaciated neighbouring peaks.
The descent to Flumet twists through the Beaufortain landsacpe of chalets, alpine meadows and mountain forests. Beaufortain is also famous for its firm, raw cow’s milk cheese of the Gruyère family. From here you can also spot the rocky spur of the Pierra Menta in the distance, landmark of the well-known ski mountaineering event.
After crossing the main road to Chamonix in Flumet, we will start climbing through the pretty village of Notre Dame de Bellecombe up to the Col des Saisies at 1660m. The start of the climb – from Flumet to Notre Dame takes you through the forest, which then opens up to meadows and more chocolate box Alpine scenery.
We then descend the Col des Saisies to the beautiful village of Beaufort (Don’t forget to take time on your descent for a picture stop of Mont Blanc).
A little further on you are already climbing the Cormet de Roselend (1,967 m),. Without doubt, the Cormet de Roselend is considered one of the most beautiful climbs in the Alps.
Twisting its way through the forest on the side of the valley it is quite spectacular and whose picturesque reservoir awaits with its turquoise waters.
The lake isn’t the top of the climb, you still have around 300m to go up through real mountainous territory, above the tree line before you can experience the fast, twisty descent to Séez through the Tarentaise valley, one of the two main valleys of Savoie, under the gaze of the Aiguille des Glaciers. it is here we will stay for the night.
Day 3
Séez to Valloire
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Briefing: 9:15
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Distance: 139km
Climbing Total: 3606m
Lunch: TBC
Dinner: 7:30pm
Our third day on the road is the “Queen Stage” of the week, where we will climb the giant Col de L’Iseran (2770m), followed by a 58km descent before riding up the Col du Telegraphe to our overnight stop in Valloire. The Col de L’Iseran is the highest pass in the Alps.
From our start just outside of Bourg St. Maurice we will initially descend for a few km then start climbing for almost 50km before we reach the summit. Our route will take us through the ski resort of Val d’Isere after about 30km, and then up into the very high mountains, rising almost 1000m from the village by the time you have cycled the 17km or so to the summit.
After cresting the summit of the amazing Col de L’Iseran you will be rewarded with a breathtaking descent of 58km! The first 16km will take you down the steeper roads from the summit but then you have around 40km of gradual descent on quiet roads until you reach Modane. On the way, you can enjoy countless panoramas of the peaks and glaciers of the Vanoise National Park, and pass through one of the most beautiful villages in the French Alps: Bonneval-sur-Arc, with its well-preserved stone houses.
After Modane, we continue down to the floor of the Maurienne Valley where we make our way to St. Michel de Maurienne. Here we will turn left for the climb of the Col du Telegraphe which is 12km long and a steady 8% gradient.
Once we crest the summit, we have a lovely downhill to our hotel in Valloire.
Day 4
Valloire to Cervières
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Briefing: 10:15
Depart for road ride: 10:30
Distance: 63km
Climbing Total: 1634m
Lunch: TBC
Dinner: 7:30pm
Today takes us from the northern Alps to those in the south and is a much easier day, to allow you to recover, with a later start and an earlier finish
However today includes the one of the most famous climbs of Tour de France, the mythical Col du Galibier (2,645 m).
The real climb to the Galibier begins when leaving the lively town centre of Valloire with gradients up to 10%. Surrounded by dry pastures and the stony but elegant peaks of the Cerces massif, you reach Plan Lachat. After having taken one of the most famous bends in France at Plan Lachat, the last part of the ascent begins. There are still 8 km of the Col du Galibier to go.
Remember to leave something in the system as you approach the tunnel, one last kilometre remains to the top: you’ll need to gather all your courage to cover a final series of bends at 9.5%.
On top of the Galibier, at 2,642m, the reward is a magnificent panorama of the Grandes Rousses Massif to the north and the Ecrins Massif to the south with the glaciers of La Meije. Savour these views on the entire descent to the Col du Lautaret.
Here we turn left and head 35km down the valley to Briancon, the highest town in France at 1326m. Briancon was fortified by French military architect Vauban in the 18th century and is recognised today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We will have time today for you to enjoy a drink or two, whilst exploring the beautiful walled city, before we continue on towards Cervières where we will stay the night for a well earned rest.
Day 5
Cervières to Barcelonnette
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Briefing: 9:15
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Distance: 102km
Climbing Total: 2764m
Lunch: TBC
Dinner: 7:30pm
After a refreshing night’s sleep, our route today takes us over the famed Col d’Izoard at 2360m, the sight of many a famous Alpine battle in the peloton, and consequently home to monuments of Louison Bobet and Fausto Coppi along with a small cycling museum on the summit. This is one of the most beautiful cols of the French Alps. It’s a long climb – nearly 19 km – and you’ll need to spare your strength on the first 10 km, as the last 9 km won’t offer any respite with a slope that won’t go below 7%. At the finish, there’s a beautiful series of bends with the famous Refuge Napoleon.
Crossing the col, the hotter climes to the south create markedly different scenery on the descent, including the impressive rock pillars of the barren Casse Deserte in the Queyras National Park. The stark rock faces and scree slopes of the Casse Desert and Terre Rouge reflect the sun and can make it a hard day in the saddle. The descent continues through a spectacular gorge, before turning uphill at Guillestre towards the Col du Vars, which tops out at 21115m.
It’s a long pass, with nearly 19km and 1,000m of climbing (6% in average): the first part is the hardest – with 7,5 km on slopes at 8% average, the rest is easier – on paper – but the legs can be heavy and the Col de Vars sometimes feels like it goes on forever!
The day ends with a a fantastic descent to Jausiers.
Jausiers like its neighbour, Barcelonnette has some beautiful villas built by locals who went to Mexico to make their fortunes and returned rich to build themselves lovely villas, often in the 'Belle Epoque' style which was popular at the time (early 20th century).
We will stay the night in Barcelonnette.
Day 6
Barcelonnette to Valdeblore
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Briefing: 9:15
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Distance: 119km
Climbing Total: 3301m
Lunch: TBC
Dinner: 7:30pm
Barcelonnette lies in the Uaye valley, which is also called the valley of the Mexicans due to the fact some of its inhabitants left for Mexico in the 19th century.
Today is a gentle start with an 8km descent from the hotel before heading up on a lonely and beautiful route in the direction of the Col de la Cayolle.
Again, we will be above the tree line experiencing the landscape of the high mountains. The top of the col forms the border to our final destination – the department of Alpes Maritimes.
The road takes you deep into the Mercantour National Park. It’s your last col above the 2,000m mark. You should take the time to enjoy its smooth slopes (total ascent of 30 km and 1,200 m of climbing, 4% average). There are wild mountains as far as the eye can see. This is wolf territory and both people and villages are scarce in this remote area.
From the pass, we descend into the Var valley, via a quiet and fast road. Once at the bottom we will grab a coffee before we start the climb to the ski station at 1685m via the Col de Valberg a short time later. It’s got a very regular but tiring slope of 7.5% that ensures you cover the last 12km and 900m of climbing of the day and reach the small resort of Valberg.
After passing through the ski station and riding along the ridge we have a wonderful twisty descent waiting for us to take us to our final hotel on the road in Valdeblore.
Make sure you keep some fuel in the tank as we have one final climb to the hotel in Valdeblore. We will buy you a beer to apologise for that. The views however will be worth it
Day 7
Valdeblore to Menton
Breakfast: 8-8:30am
Briefing: 9:15
Depart for road ride: 9:30
Distance: 88km
Climbing Total: 2288m
Lunch: TBC
Dinner: 7:30pm
Today, on the final day of our road bike tour, we have lots of smaller cols to cross before reaching the final descent to Nice and the Mediterranean Sea.
Our first real climb of the day is a steady climb up the Col Saint Martin for about 17km with 1,000m of altitude gain. The col is south facing, which means the road tends to be warm and sunny.
After the descent, the last real challenge is the 15km climb to the Col de Turini at 1,600 metres. This is a particularly pleasant climb, with lots of shade up the gorge from trees and rock faces. From the top of the pass, there is a lovely 24km descent. The descent is not too fast but flows beautifully giving and is lots of fun!
We then hit the final col of the tour, Col de Castillon before reaching the final descent to Côte d'Azur. What this climb lacks in height, it more than makes up for in terms of stunning scenery, with the hairpins near the top affording views of pine clad mountains stretching into the distance in one direction and the sparkling Mediterranean in the other.
From the col, it’s only about 11km to Menton on the Mediterranean coast. The descent is great fun with wide, swooping bends. We will follow the road into Menton before heading along the seafront where it feels sublime to finally reach our destination where we will enjoy a celebratory drink and or ice cream. In the evening we will enjoy swapping stories of our amazing week over dinner.
Day 8
After enjoying a final breakfast in Menton, we will take you and your bike to Nice Airport. Depending on flight times you may have an opportunity to explore the beautiful old town of Menton or stroll along the seafront before heading to the airport.
