Itinerary
- Day 1
Grenoble to Lake Annecy
After meeting your guides at Grenoble train station, you'll transfer to Lake Annecy over about 90 minutes. This first day eases you in with a warm-up ride before tackling Col de Leschaux, a 43-km climb gaining 900 meters. Later that evening you'll check into Les Trésoms Spa and Lake Resort, which sits right on the lake with fantastic views. The medieval town of Annecy is just a 15-minute walk from your accommodation if you want to explore.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Warm-up ride
- Col de Leschaux climb (43 km, 900 m)
Landmarks Lake Annecy Col de Leschaux Annecy Medieval City Centre - Day 2
Lake Annecy to Albertville
Today's a point-to-point 87-km ride from Lake Annecy down to Albertville. You'll face two significant climbs, starting with Semnoz (16 km at 1,150 m elevation gain, averaging 7% grade) and then Col du Frene (12 km, 300 m, 3% average). After arriving in Albertville, you're staying at Hotel Million, a converted 1770 bourgeois house that now functions as a traditional French hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Point-to-point ride Lake Annecy to Albertville (87 km, 2,000 m)
- Semnoz climb (16 km, 1150 m, 7% av.)
- Col du Frene climb (12 km, 300 m, 3% av.)
Landmarks Semnoz Col du Frene - Day 3
Albertville to La Toussuire
Another long point-to-point day ahead, covering 96 km from Albertville to La Toussuire with 3,300 meters of climbing. The route features two major climbs: Col de la Madeleine (25 km, 1,600 m elevation, 6% average grade) and then La Toussuire itself (19 km, 1,100 m, 5.5% average). You'll stay at Le Beausoleil, a traditional chalet-style place in the village where the restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients from the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Point-to-point ride Albertville to La Toussuire (96 km, 3,300 m)
- Col de la Madeleine climb (25 km, 1,600 m, 6% av.)
- La Toussuire climb (19 km, 1,100 m, 5.5% av.)
Landmarks Col de la Madeleine La Toussuire - Day 4
La Toussuire
This is a challenging loop day based from La Toussuire featuring five cols in one ride. You'll tackle Col du Mollard (12 km, 900 m, 7% average), Col de la Croix de Fer (13 km, 800 m, 5% average), then descend Col du Glandon. From there it's Lacets de Montvernier (3 km, 250 m, 8% average) and finally back up to Toussuire via Jarrier (17 km, 1,100 m, 6% average). The whole loop runs 109 km with 3,500 meters of elevation gain. You'll return to Le Beausoleil for another night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 5-Col challenge loop ride (109 km, 3,500 m)
- Col du Mollard climb (12 km, 900 m, 7% av.)
- Col de la Croix de Fer climb (13 km, 800 m, 5% av.)
- Lacets de Montvernier climb (3 km, 250 m, 8% av.)
- Toussuire via Jarrier climb (17 km, 1,100 m, 6% av.)
Landmarks Col du Mollard Col de la Croix de Fer Col du Glandon Lacets de Montvernier - Day 5
La Toussuire to Alpe d'Huez
A point-to-point 112-km day from La Toussuire heading to Bourg-d'Oisans with 2,800 meters of climbing. You'll ride Col du Télégraphe (11 km, 800 m, 7% average) and then Col du Galibier (18 km, 1,200 m, 7% average), which sits at the highest point where the Tour de France typically crosses. By evening you're checking into Hotel Grandes Rousses on top of Alpe d'Huez, where you can use the spa, have dinner with surf and turf options, and relax at the bar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Surf and turf cuisine at the restaurant)
Included Activities
- Point-to-point ride La Toussuire to Bourg-d'Oisans (112 km, 2,800 m)
- Col du Télégraphe climb (11 km, 800 m, 7% av.)
- Col du Galibier climb (18 km, 1,200 m, 7% av.)
Landmarks Col du Télégraphe Col du Galibier Alpe d'Huez - Day 6
Alpe d'Huez
Your final riding day features the legendary Alpe d'Huez climb (15 km, 1,147 m elevation gain, 8% average grade) with its famous 21 hairpin bends. After summiting and taking in the views from up there, you'll have a nice descent on the way back. Another night at Hotel Grandes Rousses wraps up your mountain riding.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Loop ride to Alpe d'Huez (53 km, 1,700 m)
- Alpe d'Huez climb (15 km, 1,147 m, 8% av.)
Landmarks Alpe d'Huez - Day 7
Alpe d'Huez to Grenoble
Have a final breakfast at the hotel, then a group transfer takes you back down from the Alps to Grenoble train station, which takes about an hour. From there you can catch your train onward.
- Meals
- Breakfast
