Experience the best of Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez Cycling Holiday
Alpe D'Huez, Glandon, Galibier, Croix de Fer, the famous climbs just roll off the tongue in the French Alps. Come and conquer these behemoths. #Lovevelo #LoveCycling #Ridefurther
Cycling Holidays to Alpe d'Huez
What to Expect on This Trip
- Alp d'Huez. Conquer the epic 21 bends and follow in the tracks of legends.
- Col du Galibier. Take on this epic col on it's own or combine it with a loop of the Col du Glandon and the Col du Telegraphe.
- The Valleys. Experience deep green forests whilst the mountain sides glow red and orange in the early Autumn.
- Snow Walls. If you ride early in the late Spring, you can experience huge snow walls lining the road.
- Alpine Vistas Being in the high Alps means you will be treated to rivers, lakes and spectacular views.
This is a trip based in a single location
You have the power to book any of our curated cycling friendly hotels online, or make an enquiry with us.
You have the power to book the best bikes in Alpe d'Huez From full carbon with disc brakes and DI2s to e-bikes, book online or make an enquiry with us.
You have the power to book your airport transfers, arriving and departing at any time. Book online or make an enquiry with us.
As part of your cycling adventure, we will provide you with our curated set of digital routes. Just download to your Garmin or Wahoo, or navigate from your phone.
Call us on 020 7157 1519 or Enquire Below
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Whether you're a keen road cyclist, enjoy riding an e-bike or hybrid bike, or want to get your family more active, we have the perfect cycling holiday for you.
Arrive & Depart At Any Time
A Typical Itinerary
Day 1
The best airport for you to arrive to is Geneva or Lyon. This trip is totally flexible so we can arrange transfers for you or we can arrange car hire which can be a great cost effective alternative.
Choose from one of the many hotels in the area and stay either atop Alpe D'Huez, down in Bourg d'Oissans or elsewhere in the valley.
Day 2
As the trip is entirely flexible you're free to choose where you cycle but today we recommend riding some of the iconic cols. Take on the Glandon by riding out west where you will be met by the crystal clear waters of the Lac de Grand Maison. As you climb, the valley of Vaujany falls away beneath you. Climbed from Vaujany, the Glandon is 25km with an average of 5% but keep plenty in your legs for the 9% sections.
If you're feeling good, ride on to the Col de la Croix de Fer and for more of a challenge, the Col du Telegraphe summit is 30km away.
We love the Croix de Fer and the views from the summitDay 3
Today we recommend climbing the Galibier and then Alpe d'Huez. From Bourg d'Oissans, the Galibier summit is 50km away so this is a big day with some tough climbing. The climb is 35km averaging 8%.
After summiting the Galibier, you can enjoy a truly incredible 35km descent. All roads lead back to Alpe D'Huez so you will come face to face with the "Dutch Mountain's" 21 hairpins and over 1km vertical ascent. The Alpe is 13.8km with an average of 8.1%, although watch out for the 13% sections.
Experience Alpe d'Huez's 21 bendsDay 4
Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before we pick you up for transfer to the airport unless you've hired a car. If you want to stay longer in the Alps just let us know as all our itineraries are fully flexible.
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What Our Cyclists Say
Awesome customer Service like it used to be. When planning my husband's 50th birthday and knowing very little about cycling I decided to try Love Velo and I can't recommend them, and the service I've received from James Danvers highly enough.
Read full reviewAbby
I booked through Love Velo because the reviews were so good. I wasn't disappointed. Right from my first contact with LV they were easy to talk to and although I dithered (my first cycling trip abroad) they didn't press me. When I eventually confirmed my booking they took care of everything.
Read full reviewStephen
I made a very late decision to go to Bourg D'Oisans to climb Alpe D'Huez and so my booking was made at quite short notice but everything was handled for me quickly and efficiently. The service received from everyone was excellent and the trip itself was first class.
Read full reviewChris
Alpe d'Huez through your lens
Join Us on An Alpe d'Huez Bike Tour
Alpe D’huez Cycling Climb
With its famous 21 bends to the top, and the famous Dutch corner, it has featured numerous times on the Tour de France. The ride starts from Bourg d’Oissans and snakes upwards for 13.8km with an average gradient of 8.1%. Each hairpin has been named by previous Tour stage winners and is numbered from top to bottom.
The Route Up Alpe D’huez
Bends 21 – 15
The difficulty of the climb starts from from the 1st km and the slopes don’t ease off until the final 3km.
The first few bends, particularly the first 5 are the toughest part of the climb averaging over 10.5%. You will get the toughest part of the Alpe d’Huez cycling climb out the way first, but don’t go too hard or you won’t complete the ride.
Bends 15 – 6 (To Huez)
The ride becomes more consistent as you ride higher towards Huez and the gradients are slightly more forgiving than the initial section of the ride. Keep pushing and ticking off each switchback as you go.
Bends 5 – 1 (To The Summit)
Keep pushing out of Huez and as you reach the top, the final few kilometres offer some respite as the road begins to flatten out and you reach the ski station.
Where To Stay
We highly recommend that you stay in Bourg d’Oissans, and our holiday starts from Bourg.
We don’t recommend staying on the Alpe as if you’re there to experience multiple climbs in the area, including the Col du Glandon, the Col du Telegraphe or the Galibier, you will have to ascend Alpe d’Huez each day.
Our Top Tips
Take enough water on the road with you. It’s a hot climb and other than Huez, there’s nowhere to fill your bottle, unless you’re happy with filling from the stream.
The ride is not hugely long but at an average of 8% it’s a tough hour to an hour and a half in the saddle. The toughest section of the Alpe d’Huez cycling climb is at the bottom so don’t go hell for leather to start with. Pace yourself.
Count off the numbered bends, each of which is named after a former stage winner. Check out this article to see which riders have a coveted bend names after them.
Marco Pantani holds the record for the fastest ascent – 37 minutes, 35 seconds (based on 14.45km). He may have been powered by external factors too though!
If you head east on your descent, you will ride through Allemond and some of the most stunning balcony rides in Europe.
Every Wednesday at 10am you can ride Alpe d’Huez against the clock. the ride starts under a big inflatable start banner from the centre of Bourg.
Why us
Why book with Love Velo?
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For more information about other exciting cycling experiences we offer, visit our France cycling holidays page.
FAQs
Alpe d'Huez Cycling Holiday FAQs
