Trans French Alps

Two legendary Alpine climbs on the agenda today, the Category 1 Col de Joux Plane and the Hors-Categorie Col de la Colombiere. 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 our final climb, the Col de la Colombiere.

Tip: remember to keep something in the legs for the last 3km of the Colombiere, they’re a challenge!

Your ride today from La Clusaz to La Lechere is one of the most beautiful rides in the Alps. First up is the Col des Aravis, where the ringing of cowbells from the surrounding fields of dairy cows will take your mind off the task at hand. Enjoy the fun descent to Flumet, a typically quaint French Alpine town, before starting your next climb to the Cat 1. Col des Saisies. The small town of Les Saisies at the summit is always a great place for a coffee stop before the descent to Albertville.

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!

Highlight of today’s ride is without a doubt the newest paved pass in the French Alps, the Col de la Loze. The road was paved especially for Stage 17 of the 2020 Tour de France where Colombian rider Miguel Ángel López (aka supermanlopez) won the stage. With a length of 21.5km (13.4 miles), an average grade of 7.3% and a maximum grade of 24%, the Col de la Loze is now the toughest climb in the French Alps. How could we not include it in a Trans-Alps trip!

Tip: A bottom gear of at least 34×32 is an absolute MUST for the steep sections of the Col de la Loze!

The legendary Col de la Madeleine, made famous by numerous classic Tour de France stages, is the main climb on the agenda today. First included in the Tour de France in 1969, the Madeleine has sinced featured 25 times, with Richard Carapaz being the first rider over the summit in the 2020 race.

After the long descent of the Madeleine, we’ve included a magnificent “surprise” climb: the Lacets de Montvernier (the shoelaces of Montvernier). The Lacets is an incredible climb with 18 switchbacks crammed into just 3km (2 miles)!

Tip: take the time to enjoy the Lacets de Montvernier. Stop at some of the final switchbacks for some incredible views and photo ops looking back down the climb.

Perhaps the all-time classic ride in the French Alps over the Col de Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier. At 2642m (8700ft), the Galibier is the highest point of the trip and one of the most grandiose climbs in Europe. The Telegraphe starts at the 13km (8 miles) mark, in the town of St Michel de Maurienne, and with the exception of a short 5km (3 miles) descent into Valloire, you’ll be climbing for the next 35km (22 miles)!

Tip: 1km before the summit of the Col du Galibier, be careful to take the left turn towards the “Col du Galibier” (do not continue straight through the tunnel – you’ll miss the summit of this legendary climb!)

Your ride across the best of the French Alps concludes today with the most famous climb of all: the 21 switchbacks to Alpe d’Huez. Each of the 21 bends is dedicated to a pro rider, see how many you can memorise on the way up!

Tip: don’t get too disheartened by the start of the climb: the first 3km (2 miles) are the steepest. After that the grade eases a little. And don’t forget to use each switchback to get a bit of rest: the road is mostly flat around each bend.

Unfortunately, your journey across the French Alps has come to an end.

Our private shuttle will drop you off at Geneva International Airport.