Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Distance: 792km

Price: $550/day (twin-share)

What better way to start a tour of the northern Alpes than from the gateway to the Alpes surrounded by the most famous climbs that have helped make the Tour de France the iconic cycling event. We have chosen Grenoble for easy access from Paris, Geneva or Nice by fast train. From being greeted at the train station by our staff through the Northern Alpes to Annecy, you will be in awe of the size and beauty of the majestic landscape.
 
As we head up into the mountains, the names will seem familiar, Galibier, Croix de Fer, Glandon and Isere, to name a few. We will be exploring the department of Savoie in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, popping into Italy for a coffee before riding close to the Swiss border while skirting Mont Blanc. This tour is not all-conquering familiar climbs for the trophy cabinet; we keep a good secret, we take you to the places that may not be familiar, our little treasures discovered over the last 17 years of touring the region.
 
We will make our way out, up and around, to eventually arrive at the beautiful little town of Annecy, nicknamed the “Venice of the Alps”. Upon arrival, we will make sure to check out the great shopping but not without adding a day to our tour for a celebration of a famous loop of Annecy Lake. Annecy is another highlight and a functional place to depart from either Geneva or Paris by train.

Select any date below the overall tour map below to view each days route individually. 
 

A challenging little warm-up ride to the summit 19th-century mountaintop: Fort du Saint-Eynard, with a cafe & panoramas of the mountains curtaining Grenoble to blow out the cobwebs.
2 days gentle riding along the mountainside of Le Haut-Bréda, very quiet roads with spectacular views with constant breathtaking views to Maurienne
before we tick of a few icons, including:

Col du Galibier

1. Col du Télégraphe

2. Col du Lauteret via Valloire

3. Sestriere, Italy

4. Col du Cenis

5. Col d'Isère / Col de l'Iseran

6. Cormet de Roselend

7. Col de la Forclaz

8. Annecy village

9th August 2022

Fly into Paris (CDG) or Lyon (LYS) and train to Grenoble

19th August 2022

If not continuing: Train to Geneva Airport (GVA)