Cycling Alps Challenge

You arrive in Annecy, directly at the airport of Annecy Mont-Blanc, or located only 2h from Lyon, and 4h from Paris.

At your hotel, there will be a briefing to explain the details and organization of the trip and also a bike fitting to put you in the best conditions for cycling.

You can also visit Annecy, the Venice of the Alps.

Your route begins with a panoramic ascent of Mont Revard. Then you’ll descend into the green valleys to reach the Semnoz.

At the top of Mont Revard and Semnoz, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding alpine peaks.



Distance 1 : 100km (62mi)

Elevation 1 : 2 500m (8 202ft)

Distance 2 : 63km (39mi)

Elevation 2 : 1 500m (4 921ft)

Distance 3 : 42km (26mi)

Elevation 3 : 1 400m (4 593ft)

You attack the north of Annecy via the sumptuous Col de la Colombière (17.7 km - 10.9 mi, 6.4% gradient) and the Col de la Croix de Fry.

Between the two climbs, you'll pass through the ski resorts of Le Grand-Bornand and La Clusaz.

The finish is around fabulous Lake Annecy.

Distance 1 : 120km (75mi)

Elevation 1 : 2 600m (8 530ft)

Distance 2 : 73 km (45mi)

Elevation 2 : 1 850m (6 069ft)

Distance 3 : 40km (25mi)

Elevation 3 : 1 700m (5 577ft)

The first kilometers will be along the lake of Annecy. The principal climb of the day is the Cormet de Roselend (15,7 kms - 9.8 mi / gradient 5,8%).

At the middle of the climb, you’ll observe the beautiful Roselend Lake. Its turquoise blue lake evokes the waters of the Pacific, herds of impassive tarines graze around and many peaks contemplate.

For the finish, you’ll climb at the ski resort of Arc 1800, in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

Distance 1 : 115km (71mi)

Elevation 1 : 3 000m (9 842ft)

Distance 2 : 80km (50mi)

Elevation 2 : 2 950m (9 678ft)

Distance 3 : 42km (26mi)

Elevation 3 : 2 000m (6 561ft)

This stage is a loop to Col de l’Iseran. The climb is very long from Bourg-Saint-Maurice (46,6 km - 28,9 mi / gradient of 5,9%), but the view is spectacular. It’s the highest mountain pass in the French Alps and it's very known in the history of the Tour de France.

And then, you’ll descend to return to Arc 1800, with long straights and fast descents. The descent of the Col de l'Iseran offers cyclists the opportunity to feel the adrenalin of mountain descent.

Distance 1 : 95km (59mi)

Elevation 1 : 2 300m (7 545ft)

Distance 2 : 60km (37mi)

Elevation 2 : 2 000m (6 561ft)

Distance 3 : 24km (15mi)

Elevation 3 : 1 000m (3 280ft)

The riders will take part in the direction of Alpe d’Huez in crossing by two historics climbs : Col de la Madeleine and Col du Glandon.

Col de la Madeleine begins in the Maurienne valley with percentages ranging from 7 to 10%. And the climb of Col du Glandon is longer (21 km), with an average gradient of 6.9%. The descent of Col du Glandon is vertiginous, with winding laces.

To conclude this day, you’ll ride at the top of the climb of Alpe d’Huez (by the village of Villard-Reculas).

Distance 1 : 110km (68mi)

Elevation 1 : 4 300m (14 107ft)

Distance 2 : 70km (43mi)

Elevation 2 : 3 000m (9 842ft)

Distance 3 : 25km (16mi)

Elevation 3 : 1 600m (5 249ft)

This stage is a day with three mythicals cols of the French Alps. Col du Lautaret is an intermediate stage before facing the Col du Galibier. Galibier climbs through lunar landscapes, steep cliffs and alpine meadows, at an altitude of more than 2600 meters.

The last ascent of the trip is the most beautiful. Alpe d'Huez is a vertical climb of 1.120m (3.733 feet), 14 km (8.75 miles) long, with an average gradient of 8% and its 21 switchbacks are famous for cracking or elevating cycling legends in the history of the Tour de France.

Distance 1 : 117km (71mi)

Elevation 1 : 3 600m (11 811ft)

Distance 2 : 80km (50mi)

Elevation 2 : 2 600m (8 530ft)

Distance 3 : 40km (25mi)

Elevation 3 : 1 500m (4 921ft)

It's departure day, take a moment to spend the last few moments with the group and return home with your head full of memories.

Your guides will transfer you to Lyon in the morning.