EPIC Trans French Alps

EPIC Trans French Alps

From Morzine to Alpe d'Huez, ride one of the most ambitious routes across the French Alps

Test yourself on the battleground of the world’s greatest race. Includes the newest paved climb in the Alps, the massive Col de la Loze, first introduced at the 2020 Tour de France and now rated the toughest climb in the French Alps.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

September 16th 2023

From

USD $4,495

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $500

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Alpe d’Huez, La Madeleine, Galibier, Col de la Loze, Glandon, Joux Plane, Colombiere – these are just a few of the iconic Tour de France climbs that you’ll conquer on this magnificent ride across the French Alps.

We’ve prepared an epic, awe-inspiring challenge that will test your limits and introduce you to the majesty and wonder of road cycling’s most celebrated terrain.

You’ll conquer the newest paved road in the Alps, the massive Col de la Loze, which is now rated the most challenging climb in the French Alps! You’ll be thrilled by the dramatic Col de Sarenne, the back-road to Alpe d’Huez, and a classic ride over the Lacets de Montvernier, the Col de Telegraphe, the Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez.

You can’t fit more Alps into one week!


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EPIC Trans French Alps
These trips are excellent. This is our 13th trip of I don't know how many. We love the challenge of the ride, the organization, ride ...

Joe Forrester, USA — 2018

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EPIC Trans French Alps
The Trans Alps Challenge was a great experience. Each day, we were riding over the iconic climbs in the Tour de France. To undertake these ...

Barden Cooke, USA — 2016

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EPIC Trans French Alps
I have been looking forward to this trip for several years and Thomson did not disappoint. I loved the "trans" aspect of the trip; covering ...

Rich Boehmer, USA — 2022

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Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenue en France Hotel Petit Dru
02 The Joux Plane, La Colombiere & La Croix Fry Hotel Carlina
03 From Les Aravis to Cormet de Roselend Mercure Brides-les-Bains
04 Col de la Loze Mercure Brides-les-Bains
05 Col de la Madeleine & Col du Glandon Hotel St Georges
06 Telegraphe, Galibier & Granon Hotel Le Monêtier
07 Col de Sarenne & Alpe d'Huez Hotel Pic Blanc
08 Au Revoir!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
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02
03
04
05
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07
08

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bienvenue en France

Your trip starts at Geneva Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in the beautiful Alpine resort of Morzine.

 

After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up you’ll head out for your first ride in the French Alps. Our warm-up ride takes you over the Col de la Joux Verte with its stunning views of the snow covered peaks around Mont Blanc.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


The Joux Plane, La Colombiere & La Croix Fry

Three legendary Alpine climbs on the agenda today, the Category 1 Col de Joux Plane, the Hors-Categorie Col de la Colombiere and the Category 1 Col de la Croix Fry. From the hotel in Morzine the road soon starts heading upwards as you start the climb to the Joux Plane. Enjoy the stunning views from the top of the Joux Plane before heading down the valley to Cluses and the start of the Col de la Colombiere. The final climb of the day is the Col de la Croix Fry where a certain Floyd Landis put the hurt on the leading group in the 2002 Tour de France.

Tip: be ready for the final 3km of the Col de la Colombiere, they’re a challenge!

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


From Les Aravis to Cormet de Roselend

Your ride today from La Clusaz to Brides les Bains is one of the most beautiful rides in the Alps. First up is the Col des Aravis where you’ll be accompanied up the climb by the ringing of cowbells. The Col des Saisies is next followed by one of the most spectacular routes in the Alps, the climb to the Col du Pré.

Tip: on a clear day, the views of Mont Blanc from the summit of the Aravis are some of the best in the Alps. Take a few minutes to get some photos!

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col de la Joux Verte
from Montriond
6.5% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col de Joux Plane
From Morzine
7.3% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Colombiere
from Scionzier
6.7% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Croix Fry
from Thones
7.3% 1
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col des Aravis
from La Clusaz
5.9% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col des Saisies
from Flumet
5.6% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col du Pré
from Beaufort
7.9% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15

Climbs

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
1 Col de la Joux Verte (from Montriond) 01 82 6.5%
1 Col de Joux Plane (From Morzine) 02 84 7.3%
HC Col de la Colombiere (from Scionzier) 02 104 6.7%
1 Col de la Croix Fry (from Thones) 02 90 7.3%
3 Col des Aravis (from La Clusaz) 03 49 5.9%
2 Col des Saisies (from Flumet) 03 68 5.6%
HC Col du Pré (from Beaufort) 03 108 7.9%
HC Col de la Loze (from Brides les Bains – via Meribel) 04 155 7.7%
2 Champagny-en-Vanoise (from Le Villard) 04 48 6.6%
HC Col de la Madeleine (from La Lechere) 05 134 6.6%
HC Col du Glandon (from St Etienne de Cuines) 05 135 7.3%
2 Lacets de Monvernier (from Pontamafrey) 06 85 10.6%
1 Col du Telegraphe (from St Michel de Maurienne) 06 94 7.3%
HC Col du Galibier (from Valloire) 06 112 6.8%
HC Col du Granon (from St Chaffrey) 06 131 9.1%
1 Col de Lautaret (from Le Monêtier-les-Bains) 07 35 4%
HC Col de Sarenne (from Mizoen) 07 100 7.4%
HC Alpe d’Huez (from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout) 07 117 7.7%
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Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2023
Jun 3 - 10
Closed
Places Available
USD $4,495
USD $800
USD $840
Book this trip
Sep 16 - 23
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,495
USD $800
USD $840
Book this trip
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Waiting List


Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:



    Trip Hotels

    Hotel Petit Dru

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    Hotel Carlina

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    Mercure Brides-les-Bains

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    Hotel St Georges

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    Hotel Le Monêtier

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    Hotel Pic Blanc

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    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the first day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Geneva Airport
    • Drop-off at Geneva Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the rides arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Sit-down lunch on the first day
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Geneva Airport
    • Drop-off at Geneva Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the rides arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties for picnic lunches
    • Bottled water
    • Post-ride recovery food
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Geneva Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Geneva Airport

    10:00am


    Rental Bikes

    Frame

    Felt FR Advanced

    Groupset

    2023 SRAM Force AXS 12-speed

    Weight

    7.7kg (size 53)

    Wheels

    Reynolds AR46 DB Custom

    Chainrings

    48x35

    Cassette

    10-33

    Sizes

    47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61

    Price

    USD $500

    View Full Details


    EPIC Trans French Alps

    An epic, awe-inspiring challenge that will test your limits in cycling’s most celebrated terrain