Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez road cycling

This cycling route is arguably the most legendary and famous cycling route in the world. Although challenging and relentless, it is far from the hardest, making it achievable to almost anyone with a basic level of fitness.

The climb itself can be split into four sections with their own milestones. It is important to warm up properly, because the first section from Bourg to La Garde and is arguably the most difficult, with the climb going instantly from flat to an average of 11%. Between Garde and the pretty hamlet of Ribot, the gradient drops of briefly before cranking up to 9%. This gradient now remains pretty constant, with no notable flatter sections, except for the briefest of rest-bites during the transitions in the hairpin bends. Between Ribot and Huez is the longest section which climbs quickly through a number of hairpin
bends, passing through the Dutch corner, made famous by the huge sea of orange clad Dutch supporters camped out here during each Tour du France. The final section form Huez to the resort of Alpe d’Huez passes through the lowest ski slopes of the resort and picturesque meadows.

As you arrive into the resort the unofficial and more popular finish line is close to the tourist office. However be aware, that the official Tour du France finish line continues up through the tunnel and another couple of bends and roundabouts through the resort. This finish line, which is located along side the ski slopes is slightly understated, with just a small banner, plaque and a line on the road. Which ever line you chose to finish at, don’t forget your stopwatch, so you can compare your effort against the times of the professionals.

Most people, after a rewarding treat in a local café chose to return to the valley by the same route, but anotable circular return option is possible via the Col de Sarenne, made famous in the 2013 Tour du France, when after climbing the 21 bends, competitors returned to the valley over the Col de Sarenne before climbing the Alpe d’Huez for a second time. Thankfully the event has resulted in vast improvements to the road surface over this col, although this is still a very technical descent with loose gravely corners.

The climb was first used in the Tour du France in 1952 and has been used 28 times up until it was climbed twice in one day in 2013.

It is also the final climb for the grueling Marmotte cycling event, which welcomes 8,000 amateur cyclists to compete in this cyclosportive. The race, which starts in Bourg d'Oisans, passes over the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, before finishing in Alpe d’Huez, a total of 174km and 5180m of climbing.

This climb is also the location for the Dutch charity cycling event the Alpe d’Huzes in early June, where teams of cyclists aim to climb the Alpe d’Huez six times in a day.

Depart altitude Le Bourg d'Oisans 2350ft/715m

Arrival altitude Alpe d'Huez 6100ft/1800m

Height gain 3750ft/1145m

Length 14km/8.8miles

Steepest gradient 13.5%

Average gradient 8.1%

Record 37min 35 Marco Pantani 1997

View Alpe d`Huez in a larger map

Accommodation options in Le Bourg d’Oisans

Alpe d'Huez - Back country mountain bike trails

Alpe d'Huez MTB/VTT piste map

Alpe d’Huez is most commonly knows in mountain biking circles for the Mega Avalanche. And for good reason, this international event, pitching armature against professional riders attracts people from all over the world.  The event takes place over 3 days with a day of practice, a day of qualifying and finally the race day. Competitors start at the Pic Blanc at 3300m, beginning the race on the glacier before descending over 30km of grueling trail to Allemont at 720m.

However visit the resort outside of this popular week and you will be blown away by the amount (250km marked trails), standard and diversity of the mountain bike trails. Even better book a guide to show you some of the resorts hidden backcountry treasures.

Single track around Lac Besson

One of my favourite all mountain circuits is to take the DMC1 gondola from Alpe d’Huez up to the first stage and then ride the cross country trail past Lac Besson (XC11) to the mid station of the Dome Rouse cable car. At the top of the Dome cable car the start of the Mega Avalanche qualification course heads off to the right. However we generally chose to head off the back of the resort to the left and follow a series of less obvious and quite technical single track in the direction of the Col du Couard. The trail, well above the tree line, starts with on loose rock mixed with sections of fun slick rock where you can chose any number of different ways down. It is set on a balcony plateau and runs past a number of very beautiful partly frozen lakes.

At the Col du Couard the trail climbs again onto a 

section of extremely exposed, not for the faint

hearted trail, which leads around the back of Les Agiguillettes before another short sharp climb up to the Col du Sabot. From here it is a fast decent through grassy meadows into the picturesque resort of Vaujany and a well-earned stop in one of the charming restaurants. It is now possible to return to Alpe d’Huez either via the two sections of the Dome cable car and then down the Mega qualification course (L1), or continue down towards Allemont (EN1), where a free shuttle bus brings you up to Oz Station and the Poutran gondola which brings you back to the main MTB area above Alpe d’Huez.

It is worth noting that this circuit is only really possible when enough snow has melted at altitude, usually sometime towards the middle of July and that the Dome cable car closes everyday from midday until 2pm.

For accommodation in Alpe d'Huez and the surrounding area visit us at Bike lodging