Cycling Routes in Alpe d'Huez — 8 of Our Favourites

It's a good idea to set off from Bourg de Osains and warm-up on the straight, flat roads of the Oisans valley before you will reach the foot of the climb. 

Starting from 737m, the first severe slope takes you to bend 21 at 1,806m and continues with a fearful climb up to bend 17 at 965m. Once you’ve passed this bend, you can recover on the 200m gentle slope crossing the village of La Garde.

The fittest can kick on here while most of us puff and blow until bend 15 at 1,025m where the gradient steepens again.

Bend 14 is marked with the monument dedicated to Joachim Agostino before a gentle slope will take you to Ribot d’en Bas. From here you’ll climb to the next hamlet, the imaginatively titled Ribot d’en Haut. 

Bend 12 welcomes you at 1,161m and the following bends 11, 12 and 13 will test your physicality and fitness.

From bend 5 to 2, you get back into the thick of it again until the crossing known as the Patte d’Oie crossing, where the three last bends are linked on a slope similar to the first part of the ascent to La Garde en Oisans.

The climb to the resort ends with bend 1 at 1,713m which is very wide, before you come out in Vieil Alpe and pass through the tunnel. Up by chalet Le Camigane you should see the red flame marking the last kilometre.

Tickets can be bought from the local ticket booths for ski lifts and cable cars.

From Bourg-d'Oisans follow the RN91 towards Grenoble, then turn right and follow the D526 to Allemont. After the bridge over the river Romanche turn right and follow the D44 towards Villard-Reculas. Then cycle through the hamlets of Raffour and La Beurrière.

Carry on climbing and follow the small road to Le Boulangeard (D44a). At the crossroads follow the signs to "Oz station".

At "Oz station" you can get on the cable car of Poutran which will take you to the skiing area of Alpe-d'Huez. When you get off the cable car on top, in order to get to the road to lake Besson you will need to carry your bicycle on the track down below (5 min). 

From Alpe-d'Huez you can take the famous 21 hairpin bends back to Bourg-d'Oisans.

Go through Allemont towards Lake Verney and then towards Rivier-d'Allemont-Grand Maison. Make use of the long flat stretch along the lake to warm up properly before making the climb up to River.

From the tip of the lake the road rises steeply up to Rivier. From Le Rivier four hairpin bends will take you back down to the stream of l'Eau d'Olle. From its banks you will have a regular but strenuous climb up to the Grand Maison barrage. Now you will have completed the hardest part and will find your rhythm all the way up to the pass.

From Bourg-d'Oisans cycle up to La Garde-en-Oisans, following the road to Alpe d'Huez; then take the D211a to Auris-en-Oisans. 

Go through Armentier-le-Haut and then follow the road to Le Chatain and Le Freney-d'Oisans. You can stop off for a break in Auris, 5km further up. Then cycle back to Bourg-d'Oisans on the RN91.

The stretch of road up to La Garde is taxing but the views make it worth while as the valley lies beneath the edge of the road. Not ideal for those with a fear of heights but a route you will not forget.

Home to the oft mythologised 21 Bends, one of the most famous and grueling mountain stages of the Tour de France, but there are many more routes in the area that can be tackled on two wheels.

The routes below nearly all start in Bourg du Osians and in most cases it is a good idea to drive down there to start your route. Unless you want to climb the 21 Bends at the end of a day in the saddle.

From Bourg-d'Oisans follow the RN91 towards Grenoble. 

When you get to Rochetaillée, follow the D526 to Allemont. 

Cycle towards Le Rivier d'Allemont - Grand Maison. 

Then cycle along the Grand Maison barrage, turn left and follow the road to the Col du Glandon (D927).

Then go on to Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines. From Sainte-Marie you can take the D74 to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. 

Then follow the D80 to the Col du Mollard - Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, then follow the D926 to the 'Croix de Fer'. 

Go back down to Allemont on the D926.

From Bourg d'Oisans, follow the RD 1091 towards Grenoble. In Rochetaillée, turn right towards Allemont on the D526. 

Cross the bridge over the Romanche and turn right towards Villard-Reculas on the D44. the road rises gently at a regular incline up to Villard-Reculas, passing through the hamlets of Raffour and La Beurrière. 

Cycle through Villard-Reculas, past the Town Hall and take the small roaf to Huez-en-Oisans. 

If you go through Huez, this will take you back to the 21 hairpin bend no. 6. Then just go back down to Bourg d'Oisans.