Route des Grandes Alpes

Kilometres of riding 20km

Metres of climbing 280m

Following your transfer from Geneva airport to Thonon (about 45 mins drive) you will have time to settle into your rooms at the hotel before we head out for a quick ride to check the bikes. This ride will be in the countryside surrounding Thonon and will allow us to get to know one another and ensure that everything is in good working order. In the evening we will have a pre-dinner drink and briefing on the week ahead.

Kilometres of riding 89km

Metres of climbing 2030m

Today the real cycling starts. We leave the lake behind us and steadily climb up into the Chablais alps. The road takes us through the La Dranse gorge towards the ski station (and regular Tour de France host town) of Morzine. From Morzine we go up and over our first col in Les Gets. The road then drops back into the Giffre valley and Taninges, before a little bump takes us into the Arve valley and the start of today’s big challenge, the Col de la Colombière. 

This is a 17km effort at an average gradient of 6.4%. However most of the climb is steeper than this average as there’s a flat section in the middle of the climb as you reach Le Reposoir. The final few kilometres can be mentally tough because you can see the col far away up the long straight stretch of 2.5km at 10.5%. After a rewarding drink at the cafe you will descend to Le Grand Bornand and our hotel for the evening. 

Kilometres of riding 98km

Metres of climbing 2820m

Three big cols are on the menu today – taking us into the heart of the French alps. And they get progressively bigger. First up is the beautiful Col d’Aravis, which climbs up to just shy of 1,500m and then drops you off into Flumet from where you’ll start the Col des Saisies. This is an irregular climb, with a deceptive average of 5%. There are stretches up above 8%, but it never gets too horribly steep. 

Then you will descend into the famous cheesemaking valley of Beaufortin, and the pretty town of Beaufort. Now there is simply the Tour de France classic climb of the Cormet de Roselend to get over before your day is done. The climb is 23.5km long and can be broken down into two main sections. The climb to the lake is the hardest section, then you have a nice couple of kilometres to recover as you ride alongside the beautiful alpine water. Then there’s the final push up into the alpine meadows, passing numerous streams and waterfalls on the way to the col. All that’s left now is the wonderful 20km descent into Bourg Saint Maurice and your hotel for the night.

Kilometres of riding 86km

Metres of climbing 2320m

Just one col today, but it is 42km long. The Col d’Iseran is one of the highest roads in the whole of Europe topping out at 2770m and you start climbing pretty much straight out of the hotel door. The route takes the bike path for the first section, which avoids some of the tunnels on the lower slopes. The first major staging post along the climb is the Tignes dam, where the road flattens and takes you into the famous ski town of Val d’Isere. We normally take a pause here to refuel and steel ourselves for our entry into the high mountains. Riding up here is a real joy, and gives the feeling of true wilderness, and your breath is taken away by both the altitude and the surroundings. 

Your reward for reaching the top of the climb is one of the greatest descents you can ever do on a bike. 40km of incredible curves and hairpins taking you down into the Maurienne valley and our hotel in Val Cenis. 

Kilometres of riding 105km

Metres of climbing 2220m

Thankfully today starts downhill to give you a chance to warm up your tired legs from the previous 3 days of effort. But don’t get too comfortable, as the Col du Télégraph and Col du Galibier double is just down the road. 

After 35 kilometres you will reach Saint Michel de Maurienne and take the left turn in the middle of town that drops you under the railway and then kicks up hard as the Telegraph starts. Many people don’t really take the Télégraph seriously as they’re focused on the monster looming just over its shoulder, but this is a serious climb in its own right (11km at 7.8%). 

There’s an all too short descent into Valloire, before the main part of the day begins. There are so many facets to the Col du Galibier, and you’ll have plenty of time to consider them all. This, like the Iseran, is a climb out into real wilderness and the real high alpine. The climb tops out at 2642m and then you have a long long descent all the way to the hotel in Briançon. 

Kilometres of riding 100km

Metres of climbing 2380m

No rest for the wicked, as today we’re straight back up to 2360m of altitude with the Col d’Izoard first on the menu. This is a climb and environment like no other. The climb itself is just over 19km long and the real majesty comes when you enter the Casse Déserte at the top of the climb. It has to be seen to be believed and is a real highlight of this tour.  

You’ll be glad of the 25km descent to Guillestre before we head upwards again on the lower slopes of the Col de Vars. This is a real climb of two halves. The first section is around 7km long before you hit a flat 4km long stretch which allows some good recovery time. Then the last push of the day is another 7km section which thankfully never gets too steep. Then there is just the descent to the lovely town of Barcelonnette where we’ll spend the night. 

Kilometres of riding 135km

Metres of climbing 3530m

Today finds you on the biggest day of the whole tour. Uphill again from the hotel door as you take on the beautiful Col de Cayolle. The gradient eases you into the climb and thankfully the road never gets too steep. 

The long descent takes you to Guillaumes where you turn eastwards onto the climb to Valberg. Again, the gradients are gentle and once over the top there’s another small ascent to get over the Col de la Couillole before heading down into the valley and the small town of Saint-Saveur-sur-Tinée. 

Now all that’s left of this long day is the climb to the small ski station of La Colmiane at the Col Saint Martin, which is about 7km at an average of 6.4%. It will be a tough day in the saddle, but now you’re over the top and just a short descent to the hotel awaits. 

Kilometres of riding 105km

Metres of climbing 2060m

It is the final day on the bike today, but the climbing isn’t over just yet. 

We start downhill before we hit the base of the Col Turini, your last big col of the trip. This is 15km at 7.3% in the stunning surroundings of the Alpes Maritimes. There are stunning hairpins and incredible views on this final magnificent big hill of your tour. You then drop down into Sospel and climb again to the Col de Castillon (706m). This is a beautiful village from where you can surely smell (and see) the sea. 

From here you descend all the way to Menton and the coast, before the last little climb up the famous Col d’Eze above Monaco. The glorious views and the joy of making it to the Mediterranean will sustain you all the way through to the beaches of Nice where you can take a celebratory drink and dip the bike into the sea. 

We’ll have a great dinner and celebrate your achievements over the past 8 days of riding.

Your transfer will leave after breakfast to Nice main train station or to the airport depending on your mode of transport away from Nice. Of course if you want to spend longer in the city we can arrange additional nights at the hotel.