Alpine Classic Cols

by Marmot Tours

Region

Alps

Duration

7 days

Guided Status

Guided

Difficulty

Moderate

D-Score™

N/A - Unknown

Overview

Classic, flexible pace cycling holiday with daily route options. Cycle the classic climbs of the French Alps! Discover stunning mountain scenery on this fabulous full-support cycling tour. Climb legendary Tour de France Alpine cols: Col de l'Iseran, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, Alpe d’Huez, Lacets de Montvernier and more! Flexible itinerary to suit mixed ability groups; optional extra climbs each day for those looking for more of a challenge. Comfortable and friendly 2* and 3* hotels with local cuisine geared to cyclists. Exceptional support from two customised support vans and two expert, proactive and fun guides, focused on making your holiday the best it can be. 6 days of stunning cycling with route options daily. Detailed GPS route files provided for all route options. On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles. Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops. 7 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts. 6 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included. Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times. Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip. Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group. Your money financially protected by ABTOT. Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership. Your day will usually start with breakfast from around 08:00 with set off time at around 09:00 to 09:30. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Depending on which route you choose each day, you’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:00. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may occasionally need to adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions. We offer included transfers from Geneva Airport (GVA) to our start hotel in Albertville, a journey of around 1 hr 30 min. Meet your guides, assemble your bike, gather with your fellow riders for a welcome briefing and enjoy a great dinner. We offer included transfers from Albertville back to Geneva Airport (GVA) at set times.

Daily Ride Schedule

Day 0: Arrival day

Arrival day

Day 1: Albertville to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

62 km 1650 m

N/A

Albertville to Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Day 2: Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis

83 km 1995 m

N/A

Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis

Day 3: Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis to La Grave

96 km 2090 m

N/A

Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis to La Grave

Day 4: La Grave to L'Alpe d'Huez

43 km 1180 m

N/A

La Grave to L'Alpe d'Huez

Day 5: L'Alpe d'Huez to St Jean de Maurienne

74 km 1550 m

N/A

L'Alpe d'Huez to St Jean de Maurienne

Day 6: St Jean de Maurienne to Albertville

76 km 1550 m

N/A

St Jean de Maurienne to Albertville

Day 7: Departure day

Departure day

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included

Airport transfers

Catering services

Accommodation arrangements

Bike rental

Mechanical support

Support vehicle following all rides

About the Alps

A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.

GBP 1750

per person

Go to Provider

Why Choose This Tour?

Cycle the classic climbs of the French Alps!
Climb legendary Tour de France Alpine cols: Col de l'Iseran, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, Alpe d’Huez, Lacets de Montvernier and more!
Flexible itinerary to suit mixed ability groups; optional extra climbs each day for those looking for more of a challenge.
The most scenic and challenging cols of the Tour de France.
Experience the best cycling that this world-class mountain range has to offer on our comprehensive circular route.
Cycle all the classic climbs of le Tour: Cormet de Roselend, Col de l'Iseran, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, Alpe d'Huez, Col de la Croix-de-Fer and Col de la Madeleine, as well as other magnificent climbs.
Our 'Classic' route starts as gently as the Alps allow, gradually cranking up the daily altitude gain from 1200 to 2100 m throughout the week.
Each day there are optional extra climbs on our 'Challenge' route which increases the possible daily ascent to over 2600 m.
Ideal for mixed-ability pairs and groups.
This road cycling holiday in the French Alps has been carefully crafted so you can cycle the most scenic and challenging cols of the Tour de France.
Day 1: Climb Cormet de Roselend (1967m) and optionally Col de Petit St Bernard (2188m).
Day 2: Take on the immense climb of the Col de l'Iseran (2764m), the second highest surfaced col in Europe.
Optional detours to Tignes/Val Claret (2007m) or Col du Mont-Cenis (2083m).
Day 3: Climb Col du Télégraphe (1568m) and Col du Galibier (2646m).
Optional climbs to Valmeinier (1800m) or a 'Galibier double'.
Day 4: Ascend the iconic Alpe d'Huez (1845m).
Options to include the Col de Sarenne (1999m).
Day 5: Climb Col de la Croix-de-Fer (2067m).
Optional climbs to Col du Mollard (1630m) or La Toussuire (1705m).
Day 6: Conquer the Col de la Madeleine (2000m).
Optional addition of Lacets de Montvernier and Col du Chaussy (1533m).
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents.