Tour Date
It is possible for us to start this tour on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 2 riders.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with your preferred dates and group size.
- Available PackagesSaturdayJuly 24, 2027SaturdayJuly 31, 2027
Overview
11 Tour de France classic climbs in 6 days of riding.
Start from Samoëns in the northern alps and ride the Joux Plane and Colombière on day one. Then take on the Aravis and Madeleine followed by the Croix de Fer and Lacets de Montvernier.
You’ll next ride over the Telegraphe and Galibier to the foot of Alpe d’Huez. The final two days will feature climbing the classic 21 hairpins of the Alpe, and the stunning quiet road of the Col de Sarenne.
If you’ve ever wanted to tick off a whole load of Tour de France bucket list climbs, this week is for you.
Highlights
- Tackling the Col de Telegraphe and Galibier double
- Riding Alpe d’Huez (twice) and the desolate Col de Sarenne
- Experiencing the hairpins of the Lacets de Montvernier
Itinerary
Each day we’ll leave from our hotel around 9:00am (after having a hearty breakfast) and spend the day riding to our next destination - with coffee, lunch and pastry stops built in. We typically arrive at the hotel around 4:00pm so there is time for optional massage and relaxation before having dinner around 7:00pm.
Our support team will always meet us at lunchtime and prepare our food so that we can swiftly get back on the road after having refuelled.
After your transfer from Geneva Airport to Samoëns we’ll get checked in to the hotel and set up the bikes. Late afternoon we will take a quick ride out to the incredible Cirque Fer-a-Cheval beyond Sixt.
Probably the most impressive short ride you will ever do, this quick ride to the end of the valley is simply breathtaking – and that’s due to the views, not the distance or the climbing!
Today is your first big alpine day.
After a quick warm up in the valley you’ll ride up the Col de Joux Plane to 1600m altitude. Incredible views of Mont Blanc await.
Following the descent to Morzine there are rolling roads and a descent down into Cluses from where you will pick up the start of the Col de la Colombière.
This 16km climb takes you up and over to Le Grand-Bornand and our destination for the day, the ski resort of La Clusaz.
Leaving La Clusaz you’re straight onto the climb of the Col d’Aravis, whose beautiful descent drops you all the way down to Ugine and Albertville.
Riding through the Isère valley towards the foot of the mountain gives you a chance to mentally prepare for the big climb of the day, the Col de la Madeleine. This 26km monster starts in Notre Dame de Briançon and climbs right up to 2000m above sea level.
Thankfully once at the top you only have to descend through the ski resort of Saint Francois de Longchamp to the Maurienne valley to reach our hotel in Saint Jean de Maurienne.
Today is a wonderful loop ride starting and finishing at our hotel. Firstly you climb up countless hairpins all the way to the famous Col de la Croix de Fer.
Then we also bag the Col de Glandon (positioned right next to the Croix de Fer) before descending back to the valley for the bonus beautiful Lacets de Montvernier. This short, yet iconic climb is really the icing on the cake of an amazing ride.
There will also be the option of a shorter self guided ride today just taking in the Lacets de Montvernier.
Today is your Queen stage.
Beginning with a warm up along the Maurienne valley to Saint-Michel de Maurienne where the road ramps upwards with the Col de Telegraphe. This may look like a gentle climb in comparison to the Galibier but it is not to be underestimated.
A short descent follows to the ski town of Valloire where the Galibier begins. This giant of the alps takes you up to 2642m where you will really feel on top of the world.
The descent is equally as exhilarating, but ensure you leave something in the tank for the final climb up to Alpe d’Huez. Conquering the 21 hairpins at the end of this mammoth day will leave you yearning for an evening massage and a hearty dinner.
An easier day and a later start today after yesterday’s exertions.
You’ll descend from Alpe d’Huez and ride through the valley to the foot of the Col de Sarenne. This back door to Alpe d’Huez could not be more different from the main climb to the town.
True wilderness awaits on this epic climb which takes you up above the ski station and around back to your hotel.
Your final day of the trip starts with a descent of the Alpe, before a lovely gentle valley dead end road all the way to La Berarde. Although there are a few very steep stretches, most of the 27 kilometres are not at all difficult. It’s a quiet road through a rising valley with a large river alongside.
The perfect way to catch up with your riding buddies and reflect on the incredible week of riding you’ve had. After Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans the road narrows and becomes a lovely cliff ride to La Berarde.
You’ll descend back the way you came, and after an ice cream in Bourg d’Oisans, you’ll end your week with another climb of the iconic Alpe d’Huez.
Can you beat your time from earlier in the week?
After breakfast you make your way home after an incredible week of riding in the wheel tracks of the Tour de France.
Package
The tour includes
- 7 nights in 3-star and 4-star hotels all along the route
- Knowledgeable guides with you on the road every day (1 guide for every 6 guests)
- Borne Cycling Cycling Jersey & socks
- Great breakfast
- Lunch on the road
- Support van carrying complementary nutrition products (bars, gels and drinks) and “wet bag” always on hand
- Route files to upload to your devices
- Experienced mechanic (with full set of tools)
- Bike wash
The tour excludes
- Evening meals
- Cafe and bar drinks bills
- Post ride massage (bookable on site)
- Travel to start and finish locations
- Travel, medical and cancellation Insurance
- Bike rental
Tour Date
It is possible for us to start this tour on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 2 riders.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with your preferred dates and group size.
- Available PackagesSaturdayJuly 24, 2027SaturdayJuly 31, 2027
FAQs
General
This challenging ride takes you over some of the most incredible and iconic Tour de France climbs in the alps. The days will be relatively long, with some tough climbing interspersed with shorter recovery days.
The weather can be very unpredictable, with hot climbs followed by mountain storms, so be ready for anything. You’ll be fully supported by our on the road guides and our team in the Borne Cycling van, carrying everything you need for this multi-day cycling experience.
You will stay in 3-star hotels along the route. The accommodation is all cycling friendly, with sumptuous breakfasts, and typically fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. The first couple of nights will be spent in the ski towns of Samoëns and La Clusaz. Following this we’ll base ourselves for a couple of nights in Saint Jean de Maurienne, and the final 3 nights will be up in Alpe d’Huez itself.
You will be climbing mountains every single day of this trip, including days over 100km long and with close to 3000m of climbing.
You will need to have experience in the high mountains, and be comfortable climbing for up to 2 hours at a time as well as handling long alpine descents.
If you’re looking for a challenging week riding some of the very best Tour de France climbs, then we would love to have you along.
You can find an exhaustive packing list here.
Borne Cycling was established with one simple goal: to enable cyclists like you to see some of the world’s most spectacular roads.
We use our knowledge and experience to give you a cycling tour that will live long in the memory. We also make your tour as comfortable and worry free as possible, leaving you free to concentrate on the important stuff.
All you have to do is turn the pedals.
Start location and full route
