Trans French Alps
with Kyle Barry

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.

Your ride today from La Clusaz to Albertville 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 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 Beaufort and the start of the magnificent Col du Pré.

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)!

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 11km (6 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)!

From the Galibier enjoy the 35km descent to the Lac de Chambon before the final climb to your hotel in the beautiful ski town of Les Deux Alpes.

The most famous climb of all, the 21 switchbacks to Alpe d’Huez is the highlight of today’s ride. Each of the 21 bends is dedicated to a pro rider, see how many you can memorise on the way up! 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. From the Alpe you’ll descend to La Garde and the start of one of the most spectacular routes in the Alps, the Balcon d’Aunis!

In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to Provence where a certain “Giant” lies in wait for tomorrow’s ride.

We round off the trip with a magnificent ride in Provence featuring the Giant of Provence, le Mont Ventoux. Leaving from the hotel, you’ll have a 10km warm-up to Bedoin where the climb to Ventoux starts. The famous summit lies 22km up the road so measure your effort on this extremely challenging climb. From the summit you’ll descend through lavenders fields to the town of Sault, then on to one of the most stunning roads in France, the descent through the Gorges de la Nesque, and the end of a spectacular journey through the French Alps.

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

Our private shuttle will drop you off at Marseille Provence International Airport.