On the Col de la Colombiere |
Day 1
SUNDAY › Bienvenue en France!
Our Tour des Grandes Alpes starts at Lyon St Exupery airport where our staff will be waiting to welcome you before the transfer to our hotel in La Clusaz.
After arrival at the hotel we'll have lunch, followed by our orientation meeting then we'll get the bikes ready for our afternoon "warm-up" ride. From the hotel in La Clusaz we'll head down the valley to Le Grand Bornand where we start the climb to the Col de la Colombiere.
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
22 miles
|
2,750 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
| Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de la Colombiere |
2,264ft |
5.9% |
7.3 miles |
 |
68 |
|
| |
Spectacular view of Lake Annecy from the Col de la Forclaz.
|
Day 2
MONDAY › Col de la Forclaz...
No less than 3 cols today on this majestic ride ride through some of the most picturesque scenery in the French Alps. We start of the day with the descent to Thones before the short climb to the Col du Marais.
The sweeping descent from the Col du Marais takes us down to Faverges and the southern tip of Lake Annecy. After a short flat section we're soon climbing again - this time on the super-steep grades of the Col de la Forclaz. After marvelling at the spectacular views of Lake Annecy from the Forclaz we descend down towards the lake before our final climb of the day - the Col de la Croix Fry.
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
53 miles
|
5,875 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
| Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col du Marais |
879 ft |
3.4% |
5.0 miles |
|
25 |
Col de la Forclaz |
2,149 ft |
8.0% |
5.1 miles |
|
108 |
Col de la Croix Fry |
2,762 ft |
6.6% |
8.0 miles |
|
91 |
|
| |
Col des Aravis - Sante Anne Chapel |
Day 3
TUESDAY › Aravis & Saisies
Today's ride starts with the Col des Aravis where we'll be met at the top by the ringing of cowbells from the many herds of cows that graze on these slopes. On a clear day enjoy the spectacular views of Mont Blanc from the top of the Aravis.
Enjoy the twsiting descent from the Col des Aravis that takes us into the Alpine village of Flumet. Over the river in Flumet and we start the 9-mile climb to the Col des Saisies. From the Col des Saisies it's all downhill to our hotel in Albertville!
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
41 miles
|
4,275 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
| Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col des Aravis |
2,841 ft |
4.6% |
11.7 miles |
|
68 |
Col des Saisies |
2,451 ft |
5.0% |
9.2 miles |
|
82 |
|
| |
On top of the 2000m Col de la Madeleine |
Day 4
WEDNESDAY › La Madeleine...
Only one climb on today's itinerary - but what a climb! You'll need your climbing legs today as we tackle the mighty Col de la Madeleine.
With an average grade of 6.3% over 15 miles, the Madeleine is one of the toughest climbs in the Alps and one of the all-time Tour de France favorites.
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
48 miles
|
6,550 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
| Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de la Madeleine |
5,062 ft |
6.3% |
15.2 miles |
|
152 |
|
| |
Climbing the Galibier |
Day 5
THURSDAY › Telegraphe and Galibier...
After yesterday's ride on the Madeleine, today we face another legendary climb. At almost 22 miles in length and with a total elevation gain of over 6,300ft, the Galibier is one of the most challenging climbs in Europe.
The climb starts in St Michel de Maurienne and after 7.5 miles tops out at the Col de Telegraphe. A short descent into Valloire and then we're climbing again as we attack the final 11 miles to the Galibier summit at almost 9,000ft.
From the Galibier it's all downhill to our hotel in La Grave with magnificent views of the Meije Glacier!
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
41 miles
|
7,380 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
| Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col du Galibier |
6,312 ft |
5.5% |
21.7 miles |
|
184 |
|
| |
View from Alpe d'Huez
|
Day 6
FRIDAY › Alpe d'Huez
We end our trip with the most famous climb of all - Alpe d'Huez!
From our hotel in La Grave we have a 30km descent to Bourg d'Oisans where the climb to Alpe d'Huez begins. Every cyclist has to climb Alpe d'Huez at least once in their lifetime and today is your opportunity to shine on the famous 21 switchbacks. Enjoy!
RIDE SUMMARY:
|
26 miles
|
4,560 ft elev. gain |
|
Today's Major Climbs |
|
| Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet) |
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Alpe d'Huez |
3,580 ft |
7.7% |
8.8 miles |
|
HC |
|
| |
|
Day 7
SATURDAY › Au revoir
End of our trip and final transfer to Lyon Saint Exupery Airport
airport. |
| |
| |
