Cycling getaways in the Alps: Our Top 5 Destinations
From legendary routes to accessible climbs, conquer the Alps by bike.
Are your calves bulging and ready to conquer the legendary Alpine passes that have defined the Tour de France? Or are you just looking to tackle your first mountain climbs on less challenging routes? Either way, you’re in the right place! Discover our selection of the best cycling destinations in the Alps.
Morzine and the Chablais: Echappees between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc
As the capital of the Haut Chablais region, Morzine is nestled between the gentle shores of Lake Geneva and the towering Mont Blanc. A frequent stop on the Tour de France, it’s a must-visit destination for cycling enthusiasts. With 16 marked cycling routes and 25 mountain passes within 50 km of the village, it’s an ideal place to train and challenge yourself, surrounded by alpine villages, lush pastures, and cols—all offering breathtaking views of the majestic peaks of Haute-Savoie.
Among the legendary ascents is the fearsome climb of Avoriaz (14 km, 840 m elevation gain, 6% average gradient), which has hosted the iconic Morzine-Avoriaz time trials during the Tour de France. Also not to be missed are the scenic Joux-Verte and Joux-Plane passes, with the latter rewarding cyclists with one of the most breathtaking views of Mont Blanc in the Alps.
Les Saisies: The Beaufortain’s cycling challenges
Famous for its cheese, dams, and the Pierre Menta skimo race, the Beaufortain region is also a cyclist’s paradise with a stunning massif to explore. Nestled between the Val d’Arly, Combe de Savoie, and Tarentaise, the Beaufortain boasts some of the most breathtaking cycling routes in the Alps. The crown jewel for serious cyclists is the Cormet de Roselend, a high-altitude pass that regularly features in the Tour de France, connecting the village of Beaufort to the Tarentaise Valley. With its 20.3 kilometres and 1,227-meter elevation gain, this gruelling climb is a true test of endurance reserved for the most experienced cyclists.
For those wishing to explore the lush Beaufortain pastures without sending their heart rate through the roof, the Col du Pré (12 km, 963 m elevation gain) leads to the beautiful Roselend Lake, passing through the picturesque village of Arêches. Alternatively, cyclists can take the Col des Saisies, which marks the boundary between the Beaufortain and Val d’Arly regions, offering a scenic loop with a return route via the Col de la Forclaz.
A cycling guidebook offers detailed descriptions of all the routes to explore the Beaufortain region.
Photo credit: ©Julien Dorol
This summer’s cycling events in Les Saisies
- L’Étape du Tour: A cyclosportive event where amateur cyclists can tackle the Albertville-La Plagne stage, just days before the Tour de France passes through (July 20).
- Tour de France: The Tour takes this very route (July 25).
Staying in Les Saisies with Cimalpes
The Tarentaise Valley: An avalanche of legendary cols
While the iconic ski resorts of the Tarentaise often steal the spotlight, the region’s legendary cols are a cyclist’s dream, featuring some of the Alps’ most challenging and breathtaking routes. Cyclists flock here to take on the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard, the fearsome Col de l'Iseran (2,764 m), which opens the Route des Grandes Alpes between the Tarentaise and Maurienne Valleys, and the Cormet de Roselend.
Tackling the cols of Haute-Tarentaise from Tignes.
A little further south, between Courchevel and Méribel, the Col de la Loze presents a formidable challenge, with its top 6 kilometres closed to motor vehicles. This remarkable route winds through tight hairpins from Brides-les-Bains before steepening dramatically, with sections reaching a punishing 15% grade. A climb reserved for the most experienced cyclists!
In the neighbouring Belleville Valley, cyclists can take on the Cole de La Loze’s little brother, the Col de Tougnète, a 9-km ascent through alpine meadows that peaks at a stunning 2,304 meters. Currently, the route ends at the summit, but exciting plans are underway to extend this paved route through the Méribel Valley, eventually creating the longest cycling route in the Alps, winding through Les 3 Vallées ski area.
Photo credit: ©OT La Rosière | ©Courchevel Tourisme
This summer’s cycling events in Les 3 Vallées
- Courchevel: Vif-Courchevel Tour de France stage, featuring the Col de la Loze (July 24).
- Belleville Valley: Objectif Tougnète (July 26), Saint Martin de Belleville – Tougnète Climb (August 9).
L’Alpe d’Huez: The most famous climb in the world
The legendary Alpe d’Huez climb has been the stage for some of the most dramatic chapters in Tour de France history. It’s also a bucket-list challenge for cyclists who travel from all over the world to conquer the iconic 21 hairpin turns of the “montée de l’Alpe” (14 km, 1,120 m elevation gain) starting from Bourg d'Oisans. Many tackle it solo, but the resort also regularly hosts timed events for those looking to test themselves against the clock.
The Oisans massif offers even more cycling adventures beyond Alpe d’Huez. The Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer offer scenic rides through the Eau d’Olle Valley, while the Col de Sarenne can be paired with the Balcons de l’Oisans route for a memorable ride. For the thrill seekers, the Oulles climb delivers a cliffside route with panoramic views of the Grandes Rousses mountain range.
Photo credit: ©Cyrille Quintard | ©Lionel Royet-Alpe d'Huez Tourisme
This summer’s cycling events in l’Alpe d’Huez
- L’Alpe d’Huzes: A charity race coupled with a lively festival, attracting around 5,000 cyclists, mainly from the Netherlands (June 5).
- La Grimpée de l’Alpe, part of the Marmotte Granfondo Alpes cyclosportive (June 20).
- Marmotte Granfondo Alpes: One of the largest international cyclosportive events, taking riders from the Maurienne to the Tarentaise Valley over five cols: Croix de Fer, Télégraphe, Galibier, Lautaret, and finishes with the Alpe d’Huez climb (June 22).
Serre-Chevalier: Cycling through the wild beauty of the Hautes-Alpes
Those in the know cycle in the Hautes-Alpes. Like its northern neighbours, the Serre-Chevalier valley is surrounded by legendary climbs that lead riders into the untamed wilderness of Queyras and Oisans. Cyclists flock to this area to take on some of the most iconic peaks in the Alps: the Lautaret, the Galibier, and the Izoard, with its lunar landscape awaiting at 2,300 metres.
Lesser-known climbs provide equally unforgettable cycling experiences. The Col du Granon (2,404 m, 16 km, 1,200 m elevation gain) is a local favourite, and Céline, the rentals manager at Cimalpes, recommends riding it in the evening to catch a breathtaking sunset from the summit. Alternatively, cyclists can tackle the Col de l’Échelle (1,759 m, 17 km, 411 m elevation gain), which winds through to the charming Clarée Valley.
In the height of summer, many of these passes are closed to traffic and exclusively dedicated to cyclists as part of the "cols réservés" initiative.
