Cycling in the French Alps between Bourg d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez
Oisans is an unmissable destination for any self-respecting cyclist, whether amateur or professional ! Admittedly, you have to cope with the height gain, but after all, that’s why people cycle in Oisans!
It’s worth coming just for the 21-switchback climb between Bourg d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez. In the summer, it is tackled by no fewer than 1000 cyclists every day. In addition to this classic route, you can find details on this site of two other routes up to Alpe d’Huez: via Villard Reculas or the Col de Sarenne.
And that’s not forgetting the many other mountain passes which enable you to enter or leave Oisans: the Glandon Pass, the Croix de Fer Pass, the Galibier Pass, the Lautaret Pass, the Ornon Pass… Detailed itineraries will take you to all these summits.
Exceptional roads
Between balcony roads with magnificent panoramic views over the valleys, overhanging roads, hairpin bends, village crossings, ascents to mountain passes or steep climbs up to eagle’s-nest villages, Oisans’ roads have some fine cycling adventures in store for you!
Many cycling events
Oisans is also the setting for some major cycling events. The Tour de France and Oisans enjoy close ties. We have lost count of the number of finishing lines at Alpe d’Huez or the starts from Bourg d’Oisans, which have contributed to the worldwide renown of this race. The Oisans Trophy cycle races attract cyclists from all over the world who flock to the area to take part in the famous ‘Marmotte’ and ‘Vaujany’ events, which are the best-known races in the Alps. Our Dutch friends have even created a charity event involving the climb up to Alpe d’Huez. Known as the ‘Alpe d’Huzes’. This event beats its own record each year for the amount of money raised for the fight against cancer.
