Cycling Routes in the French Alps
This page lists 29 cycling routes in the French Alps. We have sorted the rides out into five separate regions within the French Alps. This will show you which riding routes are possible in each area of the French Alps and assist you with choosing your cycling base.
If you are currently planning your cycling holiday in France we have lots more information on our site to help you. Our destination guides showcase popular bases for cycling in France and contain lots of practical information about visiting a particular location. We also have other pages dedicated to cycling routes in France which currently contain nearly 100 different cycling routes for your consideration.
- Cycling routes in the Pyrenees – 40 cycling routes in the Pyrenees mountains
- Cycling routes in Provence – 9 cycling routes take in the sights of Provence and surrounds
- Cycling routes around Nice – 6 cycling routes taking in the Mediterranean
- Cycling routes in the Jura – 5 cycling routes in the lesser-known Jura mountain range
- Long-distance cycling routes in France – 10 long-distance cycling routes across France
Cycling Routes in the L’Oisans Region
The routes outlined below are all available to ride when holidaying in the L’Oisans Region. On offer are famous Tour de France icons such as Alpe d’Huez and the Col du Galibier. All of these rides start and finish in the village of Bourg d’Oisans.
Col du Galibier & Col du Lauteret
Definitely one of the iconic climbs from the Tour de France and also one of the highest road passes in all of Europe.
Alpe d’Huez
A climb that needs no introduction, the infamous Alpe d’Huez with its 21 hairpin bends is synonymous with Tour de France legend.
Alpe d’Huez alternate route
This route takes in the lesser-known Pas de la Confession climb to reach the top of Alpe d’Huez.
Alpe d’Huez & Col de Sarenne
The Col de Sarenne sits higher up than Alpe d’Huez. It’s cut-up road and steep gradients will test your climbing and descending skills.
Col de la Croix de fer
An Alpine classic the Col de la Croix de Fer is on many a keen cyclist’s bucket list.
Image courtesy of Zehnfinger 17:48, 2. Sep 2006 (CEST) / CC BY-SA 2.0 DE (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)
Les Deux-Alpes
This climb will take you to the top of France’s second-oldest ski resort.
La Marmotte route
Taking in no less than 4 HC climbs the Marmotte route is one for the pure climbers out there. Are you up for the challenge?
Bourg-d’Oisans loops
A nice riding loop from the village of Bourg-d’oisans.
Image courtesy of Jjassera / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
Cycling Routes to ride in Annecy
The picturesque city of Annecy is a fantastic base for a road cycling holiday. We have mapped out six rides for you to discover whilst staying in this area. All of these rides all start and finish in the city of Annecy. Choose to cycle around the beautiful lake Annecy, or try a more strenuous ride up the Tour de France climbs of Semnoz and the Col de la Forclaz. Explore the routes in more detail below.
Semnoz
A must-do climb when based in Annecy.
Image courtesy of Anthospace / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Col de la Forclaz
The summit of the Col de la Forclaz rewards you with commanding views across Lake Annecy.
Image courtesy of H005 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Col de la Croix Fry
One of those climbs where you look back down on the road weaving its way back and forth across the mountainside.
Image courtesy of Robin Férand / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
Lake Annecy loop
Famously included as a stage of a Tour de France Individual Time Trial, the ride around Lake Annecy is also popular amongst amateurs.
Lake Annecy Rail Trail
Take advantage of the traffic-free rail trail and enjoy a long ride and predominantly flat ride out to Albertville via the Lake Annecy Rail Trail.
Mont du Chat
After a long ride with a lot of climbing? This route takes you from Lake Annecy to Lac du Bourget, before taking on the Hors Categorie climb of Mont du Chat.
Image courtesy of Florian Pépellin / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Cycling Routes in the Maurienne Valley
If you plan to ride some of the highest Alpine roads in France then basing yourself in the Maurienne Valley is a great option. From here you can choose from a number of the iconic climbs of the Tour de France. These include the Col du Galibier, Col de la Madeleine as well as Europe’s second-highest road – the Col de L’iseran. All the cycling routes listed below begin and end in the town of Saint Jean de Maurienne.
Col du Telegraph & Col du Galibier
Take on two icons of the Tour de France and reach the summit of the fifth-highest road in Europe.
Col de la Madeleine
First used in 1969, the climb of the Col de la Madeleine is now regularly featured in the Tour de France.
Robbie Shade / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Col du Glandon & Col de la Croix de Fer
This ride will really test the legs with regular double-digit gradients featuring on both climbs.
Image courtesy of rene boulay / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Col de l’Iseran
This ride will take you to the summit of Europe’s second-highest alpine pass at 2770m.
Image courtesy of Florian Pépellin / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Lacets de Montvernier & Col du Chaussy
First tackle the 17 hairpins of the Lacets de Montvernier before continuing on to the summit of the Col du Chaussy.
Florian Pépellin / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Cycling Routes in the Serre Chevalier Valley
This area of the French Alps gives you access to Tour de France climbs such as the Col d’Izoard and Col du Galibier. All of the cycling routes mapped out below start and finish from the village of Briancon. Click on each ride description to explore the route in more detail.
Col du Galibier
Definitely one of the iconic climbs from the Tour de France and also one of the highest road passes in all of Europe.
Col d’Izoard
First used in 1922 the climb of the Col d’Izoard features regularly in the Tour de France.
Image courtesy of Pline / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Col du Granon
A relentlessly steep climb that has no let-up. This high altitude Col will have you gasping.
Image courtesy of Benj05 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Col du Montgenevre Pass
A relentlessly steep climb that has no let-up. This high altitude Col will have you gasping.
Image courtesy of Anthospace / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Chamonix Valley Cycling Routes
The Chamonix Valley offers up a variety of great road cycling rides. From here you can choose to explore some of the great alpine climbs in France such as the Col de la Colombiere and Col des Aravis. Or alternatively, you can cycle all the way from the Chamonix Valley across the border into Switzerland with a ride to the stunning Lac d’Emosson. All the routes listed below have been mapped out from the town of Chamonix. There is a mixture of cycling loops as well as some out-and-back routes for you to choose from. Click on each individual ride below to explore it in more detail.
Col des Montets
From Chamonix, the summit of the Col des Montets is just over 11kms away on gentle gradients. A great introduction to cycling in the Chamonix Valley.
Lac d’Emosson
Lac d’Emosson featured as a summit finish in the 2016 edition of the Tour de France. A challenging ride with stunning views from the summit.
Lalou0110, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Col de la Forclaz
The Col de la Forclaz will take you into Switzerland and leave you with commanding views over the Forclaz and Rhone Valleys
Col des Aravis
The Col des Aravis has featured as a climb in the Tour de France on 41 occasions. Discover what it takes to ride this Col yourself.
Anthospace, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Col de la Colombière
This challenging cycling route from Chamonix takes on the Col de la Colombière as well as the Col des Aravis.
Anthospace, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Plaine Joux
This cycling route leads to the summit of Plaine Joux. Keep your eye out for paragliders as you make your way to the top of the climb.
