EPIC Trans French Alps
EPIC Trans French Alps
From Morzine to Alpe d'Huez, ride one of the most ambitious routes across the French Alps
Test yourself on the battleground of the world’s greatest race. Includes the newest paved climb in the Alps, the massive Col de la Loze, first introduced at the 2020 Tour de France and now rated the toughest climb in the French Alps.
Featured Climbs
Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier, Col de la Madeleine, Col de la Loze
Overview
Details
Next Departure
June 15th 2025
From
USD $4,895
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
USD $550
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Alpe d’Huez, La Madeleine, Galibier, Col de la Loze, Glandon, Joux Plane, Colombiere – these are just a few of the iconic Tour de France climbs that you’ll conquer on this magnificent ride across the French Alps.
We’ve prepared an epic, awe-inspiring challenge that will test your limits and introduce you to the majesty and wonder of road cycling’s most celebrated terrain.
You’ll conquer the newest paved road in the Alps, the massive Col de la Loze, which is now rated the most challenging climb in the French Alps! You’ll be thrilled by the dramatic Col de Sarenne, the back-road to Alpe d’Huez, and a classic ride over the Lacets de Montvernier, the Col de Telegraphe, the Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez.
You simply can’t fit more Alps into one week!
Tip: The EPIC TRANS and TRANS trips are fully interchangeable, so you can enjoy the classic TRANS route one day and switch to the EPIC the next, or vice versa. The two trips run side by side, with everyone staying in the same hotels, sharing the same staff, and having breakfasts and dinners together. The ONLY difference lies in your choice of daily route: TRANS is slightly shorter with less elevation, while EPIC offers a longer ride with more climbs.
Ric Liang, Canada — 2016
Miguel Lizarralde, Colombia — 2024
My 2nd trip with Thomson and overall it was excellent. You do a wonderful job of support for such a wide range of abilities and motivations., USA — 2024
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bienvenue en France | Hotel Petit Dru | |||
| 02 | The Joux Plane, La Colombiere & La Croix Fry | Hotel Carlina | |||
| 03 | From Les Aravis to Cormet de Roselend | Grand Hotel des Thermes | |||
| 04 | Col de la Loze | Grand Hotel des Thermes | |||
| 05 | Col de la Madeleine & Col du Glandon | Hotel Coeur de Maurienne | |||
| 06 | Telegraphe, Galibier & Granon | Hotel Le Monêtier | |||
| 07 | Col de Sarenne & Alpe d'Huez | Hotel Pic Blanc | |||
| 08 | Au Revoir! | ||||
| Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bienvenue en France
Your trip starts at Geneva Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in the beautiful Alpine resort of Morzine.
After lunch, an orientation meeting and bike build-up you’ll head out for your first ride in the French Alps. Our warm-up ride takes you over the Col de la Joux Verte with its stunning views of the snow-covered peaks around Mont Blanc.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
The Joux Plane, La Colombiere & La Croix Fry
Three legendary Alpine climbs on the agenda today, the Category 1 Col de Joux Plane, the Hors-Categorie Col de la Colombiere and the Category 1 Col de la Croix Fry. From the hotel in Morzine the road soon starts heading upwards as you start the climb to the Joux Plane. Enjoy the stunning views from the top of the Joux Plane before heading down the valley to Cluses and the start of the Col de la Colombiere. The final climb of the day is the Col de la Croix Fry where a certain Floyd Landis put the hurt on the leading group in the 2002 Tour de France.
Tip: be ready for the final 3kms of the Col de la Colombiere, they’re a challenge!
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
From Les Aravis to Cormet de Roselend
Your ride today from La Clusaz to Brides les Bains is one of the most beautiful rides in the Alps. First up is the Col des Aravis where you’ll be accompanied up the climb by the ringing of cowbells. The Col des Saisies is next followed by one of the most spectacular routes in the Alps, the climb to the Col du Pré.
Tip: on a clear day, the views of Mont Blanc from the summit of the Aravis are some of the best in the Alps. Take a few minutes to get some photos!
Day 4
Distance
Elevation
Col de la Loze
Highlight of today’s ride is without a doubt the newest paved pass in the French Alps, the Col de la Loze. The road was paved especially for Stage 17 of the 2020 Tour de France where Colombian rider Miguel Ángel López (aka supermanlopez) won the stage. With a length of 21.5km (13.4 miles), an average grade of 7.3% and a maximum grade of 24%, the Col de la Loze is now the toughest climb in the French Alps. How could we not include it in a Trans-Alps trip!
Tip: A bottom gear of at least 34×32 is an absolute MUST for the steep sections of the Col de la Loze!
Day 5
Distance
Elevation
Col de la Madeleine & Col du Glandon
Two legendary Tour de France Hors-Categorie climbs on the agenda today, the Col de la Madeleine and the Col du Glandon. Between them they’ve featured almost 40 times in the Tour and they’ve seen many epic battles over the years. Today is your turn to test yourself on these famous climbs!
Tip: the Glandon has a real sting in the tail with the final 3km being the hardest of the entire climb – so save the legs!
Day 6
Distance
Elevation
Telegraphe, Galibier & Granon
A huge ride today over the legendary Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier, followed by the epic Col du Granon where Jonas Vingegaard effectively won the 2022 Tour de France. At 2642m (8700ft), the Galibier is the highest point of the trip and one of the most grandiose climbs in Europe. To start the ride we’ve included the Lacets de Montvernier, an incredible climb with 18 switchbacks crammed into just 3km (2 miles)!
Day 7
Distance
Elevation
Col de Sarenne & Alpe d'Huez
An absolutely stunning ride to close out the trip. On your agenda today is the Col de Sarenne, a wild, single-lane road that climbs to 2000m (6,600ft), and the climb to Alpe d’Huez, the most famous bike climb in the world.
Day 8
Distance
Elevation
Au Revoir!
Unfortunately, your journey across the French Alps has come to an end.
Our private shuttle will drop you off at Geneva International Airport.
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Col de la Joux Verte from Montriond |
6.5% | 1 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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>15
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col de Joux Plane From Morzine |
7.3% | 1 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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|
|||||
|
Col de la Colombiere from Scionzier |
6.7% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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|
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|
Col de la Croix Fry from Thones |
7.3% | 1 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col des Aravis from La Clusaz |
5.9% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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|
Col des Saisies from Flumet |
5.6% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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|
Col du Pré from Beaufort |
7.9% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col de la Loze from Brides les Bains – via Meribel |
7.7% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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|
Champagny-en-Vanoise from Le Villard |
6.6% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col de la Madeleine from La Lechere |
6.6% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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|
Col du Glandon from St Etienne de Cuines |
7.3% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lacets de Monvernier from Pontamafrey |
10.6% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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|
Col du Telegraphe from St Michel de Maurienne |
7.3% | 1 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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|
Col du Galibier from Valloire |
6.8% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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|
Col du Granon from St Chaffrey |
9.1% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Col de Lautaret from Le Monêtier-les-Bains |
4% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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|
Col de Sarenne from Mizoen |
7.4% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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|
Alpe d’Huez from Bourg d’Oisans Roundabout |
7.7% | HC | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No major climbs today | |||||
Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | |||||||
Jun 15 - 22 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $4,895
|
USD $850 |
USD $920 |
Book this trip | |
Sep 7 - 14 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $4,895
|
USD $850 |
USD $920 |
Book this trip | |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the rides
|
| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Geneva Airport |
9:00am |
OR |
|
|
Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport |
9:00am |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Geneva Airport |
10:00am |
Rental Bikes
Specialized Aethos Expert
Frame
Aethos FACT 10r Carbon
Groupset
Di2 Shimano Ultegra
Weight
699g (size 56)
Wheels
Roval C38
Chainrings
52/36T
Cassette
11-34t (12-speed)
Sizes
49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
USD $550
View Details
EPIC Trans French Alps
An epic, awe-inspiring challenge that will test your limits in cycling’s most celebrated terrain
