High Alpes Climbing Adventure – 5 or 6 Nights

Here’s your chance to conquer all of the famous climbs of the Alpes!  We offer two options for tackling many of the climbs you have seen your cycling heroes race up in past Julys.  The first option bases you out of St. Jean de Maurienne for 5 nights.  The second starts and ends in St. Jean de Maurienne, but also allows you to take on Alpe d’Huez. We arrange your luggage transport and breakfasts.  Dinners are on your own.

5 Night Option (1 hotel):

Day 1:  St. Jean de Maurienne arrival & Warm up ride
Arrive in St. Jean de Maurienne via train early enough you will have time to assemble your bike and get in a warm up ride on Montvernier Lacets.

Day 2:  Col de la Medeleine
This has been the scene of many TdF battles.  You will tackle the “harder” side of the Col.

Day 3:  Col de la Croix de Fer & Glandon
This famous duo of climbs is one of the ways the Tour climbs over the mountain towards Alpe d’Huez.  They have been used in many editions of the Dauphine Libere and TdF.

Day 4:  Col du Telegraph & Galibier
Ready for 40km of climbing?  This is a BIG day!  After 14km of the Telegraph you have a brief reprieve through Valloire before the long drag up the valley towards Galiber.  The switchbacks start a few kilometers from the top of Galibier.  Don’t forget to save some energy to get back over the Telegraph on the way back.

Day 5:  Col du Mollard & Toussuire
After a huge day you have a chance to do some nice climbs right out the back door of the hotel.  Enjoy your last day in the Alpes!

Day 6:  St Jean de Maurienne departure
Catch a TGV heading either towards Italy or Paris.

6 Night Option (3 hotels):
Day 1:  St. Jean de Maurienne arrival & Warm up ride
Arrive in St. Jean de Maurienne via train early enough you will have time to assemble your bike and get in a warm up ride on Montvernier Lacets.

Day 2:  Col de la Medeleine
This has been the scene of many TdF battles.  You will tackle the “harder” side of the Col.

Day 3:  Col de la Croix de Fer & Glandon
This famous duo of climbs is one of the ways the Tour climbs over the mountain towards Alpe d’Huez.  They have been used in many editions of the Dauphine Libere and TdF.

Day 4:  Col du Telegraph to Valloire
This is the scene of many great epic racing battles.  Our hotel is at the base of the Telegraph in the lovely village of Valliore.  Rest of for a big day tomorrow.

Day 5:  Valloire to Alpe d’Huez via the Col du Galibier
Toay is the big day of this tour.   Conquor both monsters in the same ride!  Your hotel is at the top of Alpe d’Huez.

Day 6:  Alpe d’Huez to St. Jean de Maurienne via Col du Glandon
This is another big ride, and very scenic.  This is the “easier” side of the mountain, so enjoy your last day in the Alpes on teh Glandon!

Day 7:  St Jean de Maurienne departure
Catch a TGV heading either towards Italy or Paris.

To find out more about how our Self Guided Climbing Adventures operate, what is included, and what is not, click HERE.

* – There is no emergency support for breakdown other than calling a taxi (number provided).   French Emergency Service for Police or Medical are excellent. If you do not have a cell phone (it is recommended to have one) you can flag down almost any auto or truck and they will have a phone and the French have proven to be extremely helpful to cyclists.