Itinerary
- Day 1
Grenoble to Lake Annecy
Meet your guides at Grenoble train station, then drive about 90 minutes to Lake Annecy. You'll start with a warm-up ride and tackle Col de Leschaux to get into the rhythm of cycling. That night you're staying at Les Trésoms Spa and Lake Resort, a 4-star property right on the lake with fantastic views. The medieval center of Annecy is just a 15-minute walk if you want to explore after settling in.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Warm-up ride and Col de Leschaux climb (43 km, 900 m elevation)
Optional Activities
- Explore medieval Annecy city centre
Landmarks/POIs Col de Leschaux Lake Annecy Annecy Medieval City Centre - Day 2
Lake Annecy to Albertville
Today's a point-to-point ride from Lake Annecy to Albertville, covering 87 km with 2,000 m of climbing. The main efforts are Semnoz (16 km, 1,150 m, 7% gradient) and Col du Frene (12 km, 300 m, 3% gradient). After finishing, you'll stay at Hotel Million in Albertville, a charming place that's actually an 18th-century bourgeois house converted into a traditional French hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Point-to-point ride Lake Annecy to Albertville (87 km, 2,000 m elevation)
- Climb Semnoz (16 km, 1,150 m, 7% average gradient)
- Climb Col du Frene (12 km, 300 m, 3% average gradient)
Landmarks/POIs Semnoz Col du Frene - Day 3
Albertville to La Toussuire
This is a longer day from Albertville to La Toussuire, 96 km with significant climbing at 3,300 m. You're looking at two major climbs: Col de la Madeleine (25 km, 1,600 m, 6% gradient) and then La Toussuire itself (19 km, 1,100 m, 5.5% gradient). Your accommodation is Le Beausoleil, a chalet-style place right in La Toussuire village. They've got a restaurant on site that uses seasonal ingredients, so you can grab dinner without going far.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Seasonal produce at the restaurant)
Included Activities
- Point-to-point ride Albertville to La Toussuire (96 km, 3,300 m elevation)
- Climb Col de la Madeleine (25 km, 1,600 m, 6% average gradient)
- Climb La Toussuire (19 km, 1,100 m, 5.5% average gradient)
Landmarks/POIs Col de la Madeleine La Toussuire - Day 4
La Toussuire
A loop ride from La Toussuire tackling five cols in one day, 109 km with 3,500 m of elevation. You'll climb Col du Mollard (12 km, 900 m, 7%), Col de la Croix de Fer (13 km, 800 m, 5%), then descend through Col du Glandon before hitting Lacets de Montvernier (3 km, 250 m, 8%) and back up Toussuire via Jarrier (17 km, 1,100 m, 6%). It's demanding but you return to Le Beausoleil for another night, so at least there's familiar comfort waiting.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 5-Col challenge loop ride (109 km, 3,500 m elevation)
- Climb Col du Mollard (12 km, 900 m, 7% average gradient)
- Climb Col de la Croix de Fer (13 km, 800 m, 5% average gradient)
- Climb Lacets de Montvernier (3 km, 250 m, 8% average gradient)
- Climb Toussuire via Jarrier (17 km, 1,100 m, 6% average gradient)
Landmarks/POIs Col du Mollard Col de la Croix de Fer Col du Glandon Lacets de Montvernier - Day 5
La Toussuire to Alpe d'Huez
A point-to-point day from La Toussuire to Bourg-d'Oisans, 112 km with 2,800 m climbing. You'll conquer Col du Télégraphe (11 km, 800 m, 7%) and Col du Galibier (18 km, 1,200 m, 7%), which sits at the highest point the Tour de France reaches. That evening you're at Hotel Grandes Rousses, perched at the top of Alpe d'Huez with spa facilities. The restaurant serves quality meat and fish, and there's a bar for a nightcap after your efforts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Surf and turf cuisine at the restaurant)
Included Activities
- Point-to-point ride La Toussuire to Bourg-d'Oisans (112 km, 2,800 m elevation)
- Climb Col du Télégraphe (11 km, 800 m, 7% average gradient)
- Climb Col du Galibier (18 km, 1,200 m, 7% average gradient)
Landmarks/POIs Col du Télégraphe Col du Galibier Alpe d'Huez - Day 6
Alpe d'Huez
Your final cycling day tackles the legendary Alpe d'Huez, 15 km with 1,147 m of climbing and 21 hairpin bends. The views on the way up are significant, and then you get to experience the descent. You'll spend one more night at Hotel Grandes Rousses at the summit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Loop ride to Alpe d'Huez (53 km, 1,700 m elevation)
- Climb Alpe d'Huez (15 km, 1,147 m, 8% average gradient)
Landmarks/POIs Alpe d'Huez - Day 7
Alpe d'Huez to Grenoble
Have breakfast at the hotel, then it's time to head out of the Alps. There's a group transfer to Grenoble train station, about an hour drive. From there you can catch your onward connections. Safe travels.
- Meals
- Breakfast
