Ruta Negra French Alps

Ruta Negra French Alps

An EPIC route across the French Alps. Hardcore riders ONLY!

Our most ambitious itinerary yet with over 20 HC climbs squeezed into 14 days of riding. Our ingenious route across the French Alps, from Mont Ventoux to Alpe d’Huez, will challenge even the most hardcore cyclists.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

No Upcoming Departures

Duration

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

Not available

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

The Tour de France has ensured the Alps are embedded in cycling folklore, thanks to the pain, suffering and glory dished out by the legendary climbs of the region.

La Ruta Negra is designed to capture these same sensations in an EPIC journey across the French Alps. We’ve designed a unique and ambitious ride featuring the majority of the iconic climbs and lots of lesser-known gems. Over the 2 weeks you’ll ride legendary climbs like Alpe d’Huez, Galibier, Ventoux, Madeleine, Glandon, Izoard & Croix de Fer. You’ll also conquer the Col de la Bonette, the highest paved through-road in Europe, and a number of sensational, unfamiliar gems that easily match their more famous counterparts, such as the Col de Sabot, Col de Granon and the Col d’Allos.

Covering a distance of 1,700km and with over 45,000m total elevation (1,000 miles and 150,000ft), this unique trip concept is designed to challenge even the most hardcore rider.

Book with Confidence Commitment

Book your 2021 Thomson trip with confidence. Our new cancellation policy provides a Full Refund if you cancel your trip up to 90 days prior to departure. View our 2021 Terms & Conditions for full details.


star star star star star
Ruta Negra French Alps
This was a very challenging and well put together trip. The outstanding support from the first rate Thompson team made it both possible to achieve ...

Andrew Harrison, Australia — 2019

See more reviews
Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenue en France! Hostellerie du Val de Sault
02 Mont Ventoux x 2! Hostellerie du Val de Sault
03 Gorges de la Nesque Mon Hotel Gap
04 Col de La Bonette Le Sauze – Montana Chalet
05 Best of the Southern Alps loop Le Sauze – Montana Chalet
06 Col d'Izoard & Col de Granon Hotel Alliey
07 Italian detour and the mighty Col de L'Iseran Hotel La Toviere
08 Legendary Tour de France climbs Hotel St Alban
09 Rest Day Hotel St Alban
10 2018 Tour de France Stage 10 Hotel St Alban
11 The iconic Col de la Madeleine Hotel Saint Georges
12 Col de Glandon & Col de la Croix de Fer Hotel Saint Georges
13 Alps legends: Col du Galibier & Alpe d'Huez Hotel Pic Blanc
14 The sensational Col du Sabot and Col de Sarenne Hotel Pic Blanc
15 Au revoir!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bienvenue en France!

Your trip starts at Marseille Provence Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Provence.

 

After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in Provence, over the Col de Murs and the Col de La Ligne.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Mont Ventoux x 2!

Not much needs to be said about today’s ride – except maybe, that in true Thomson style, you’ll climb the Giant of Provence not once, but twice! You’ll climb the classic Bedoin side of the climb first. After 14km (9 miles) of climbing through the pine forest you’ll break out of the trees and be faced with the final 7km (4 miles), across the famous lunar landscape, to the summit at 1900m (6,200ft).

 

A long descent to Malaucene where you can enjoy a coffee-stop and some refuelling before tackling the 20km (12 miles) ascent back to the summit.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Gorges de la Nesque

The highlight of today’s ride has to be the spectacular 19km (12 miles) climb through the Gorges de la Nesque. The Gorges are a magical place to cycle, a vast canyon cut into the Vaucluse Mountains with twisty roads and incredible scenery the entire length of the climb.

 

On exiting the Gorges you’ll head north through the lavender fields around Sault and on to your next climb, the Cat 2. Col de Perty in the Baronnies Natural Park. Before reaching our hotel in Gap you have 1 last climb to contend with, the Cat 2 Col de Foureyssasse which peaks out at just 20km (12 miles) from the finish of the ride.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Col de Murs
from Venasque
4.3% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de la Ligne
from Murs
3.9% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Mont Ventoux
from Bedoin
7.3% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Mont Ventoux
from Malaucene
7.4% HC
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Gorges de la Nesque
from Villes sur Auzon
3.3% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de Perty
from Montauban
5% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
toggle arrow Col de Foureyssasse Sud
from La Saulce
6.5% 2
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
Day 08
Day 09
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
2 Col de Murs (from Venasque) 01 37 4.3%
3 Col de la Ligne (from Murs) 01 27 3.9%
HC Mont Ventoux (from Bedoin) 02 145 7.3%
HC Mont Ventoux (from Malaucene) 02 145 7.4%
2 Gorges de la Nesque (from Villes sur Auzon) 03 34 3.3%
2 Col de Perty (from Montauban) 03 49 5%
2 Col de Foureyssasse Sud (from La Saulce) 03 56 6.5%
3 Col de la Sentinelle (from Gap) 04 30 4.2%
HC Mont Colombis (from Remollon) 04 129 8.9%
HC Col de la Bonette (from Jausiers) 04 138 6.9%
HC Col d’Allos (from Barcelonnette) 05 104 6.7%
HC Col des Champs (from Colmars) 05 92 7.5%
HC Col de la Cayolle (from St Martin d’Entraunes) 05 114 6.6%
HC Col de Vars (from Jausiers) 06 62 4.5%
HC Col d’Izoard (from junction to Col d’Agnel)) 06 104 7.3%
HC Col de Granon (from St Chaffrey) 06 126 9.2%
3 Col de L’Echelle (from Plampinet) 07 35 5%
HC Moncenisio (from Venaus) 07 94 7.6%
1 Mont Cenis (from Moncenisio Junction) 07 73 6%
HC Col de L’Iseran (from Lanslevillard) 07 88 4.8%
HC Cormet de Roselend (from Bourg St Maurice) 08 97 6.1%
HC Col des Saisies (from Beaufort) 08 92 6.6%
2 Col des Aravis (from Flumet) 08 61 5.7%
1 Col de la Croix Fry (from Thones) 09 90 7.3%
HC Col des Glieres (from Petit Bornand) 10 93 8.3%
2 Mont Saxonnex (from Thuet) 10 74 8.2%
HC Col de Romme (from Cluses) 10 108 8.9%
1 Col de la Colombiere (from Le Reposoir) 10 90 8.6%
1 Col de la Forclaz de Montmin (from Perroix) 11 70 7.4%
3 Col du Tamie (from Faverges) 11 32 4%
HC Col de la Madeleine (from La Lechere) 11 134 6.6%
2 Lacets de Monvernier (from Pontamafrey) 12 85 10.6%
1 Col du Chaussy (from Montvernier) 12 100 8.2%
HC Col du Glandon (from St Etienne de Cuines) 12 135 7.3%
3 Col du Mollard (from Belleville) 12 53 6.6%
1 Col du Telegraphe (from St Michel de Maurienne) 13 94 7.3%
HC Col du Galibier (from Valloire) 13 112 6.8%
HC Alpe d’Huez (from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout) 13 117 7.7%
HC Col de Sabot (from Allemont) 14 140 7.9%
2 Mont de Lans (from D1091 Junction) 14 65 7.7%
HC Col de Sarenne (from Mizoen) 14 100 7.4%
Show moreShow less

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices

Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
Close

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

    Hostellerie du Val de Sault

    View website arrow

    Mon Hotel Gap

    View website arrow

    Le Sauze – Montana Chalet

    View website arrow

    Hotel Alliey

    View website arrow

    Hotel La Toviere

    View website arrow

    Hotel St Alban

    View website arrow

    Hotel Saint Georges

    View website arrow

    Hotel Pic Blanc

    View website arrow


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 15 days / 14 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All but 1 dinner
    • 1 sit-down lunch on Day 1
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Marseille Provence Airport
    • Drop-off at Lyon St Exupery 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 ride 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
    • 15 days / 14 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All but 1 dinner
    • 1 sit-down lunch on Day 1
    • Picnic lunches during the rides
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Marseille Provence Airport
    • Drop-off at Lyon St Exupery 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 ride 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

    Marseille Provence Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Hotel Pullman Marseille Provence Aéroport

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Lyon St Exupery Airport

    9:00am



    Ruta Negra French Alps

    An EPIC route across the French Alps that will test the most hardcore cyclist!


    Similar trips