Introduction to the French Alps

Distance: 23km

Elevation: 310m D+

After your transfer from Geneva Airport to Samoëns we’ll get checked in to the hotel and set up the bikes. Late afternoon we will take a quick ride out to the incredible Cirque Fer-a-Cheval beyond Sixt. Probably the most impressive short ride you will ever do, this quick ride to the end of the valley is simply breathtaking - and that’s due to the views, not the distance or the climbing! 

Distance: 63km

Elevation: 1210m D+

An introduction to some proper climbing today, with the route taking us out along the floor of the Giffre valley to Taninges. From here you will take an extremely quiet road that climbs steadily up to Rond. You will ride through alpine forests before meeting the road to the Col d’Encrenaz. You might not think it possible but this road is even quieter than the one to Rond - and feels like you are riding into complete wilderness. There’s a cafe at the top where we’ll stop for refreshment, before dropping down into Morzine, and picking up the road back through Les Gets whose enjoyable descent takes us back into Taninges. From there it is a quick spin back up the valley to the hotel and lunch. 

Distance: 61km

Elevation: 1330m D+

Today we take on your first Tour de France climb - the Col de la Ramaz. This climb has featured in the Tour five times in the past (1981, 2003, 2010, 2016 and 2023). You will climb it from Mieussy (14km at 7%) after a good warm up down the valley to prepare the legs for the effort. 

The climb is pretty steady for most of the way, but be ready for the steep few kilometres through the tunnel before the road arrives at the plateau of Sommand. From here there is just a few kilometres left before you crest the col at 1619m. Be sure to stop for the views of the Mont Blanc range before heading down through the ski station of Praz de Lys and the forested descent to Fry. We descend to Taninges on the quiet road we climbed yesterday and spin home up the Giffre valley to Samoëns. 

Distance: 102km

Elevation: 1710m D+

The Col de la Colombière is a true Tour classic. This first category climb has featured in the Tour de France 23 times, most recently in 2021. The climb starts just outside Scionzier and is 17km long at an average gradient of 6.4%. There are some much steeper segments however, as the climb can really be split into two. The first section up to Le Reposoir, followed by the final straight line push to the col - which can for some be disheartening as you can see the top from a long way away!

We’ll have warmed up nicely by the time we hit the foot of the climb, having also gone up and over the Col du Chatillon, before dropping down into Cluses on the way to Scionzier. Once we’re over the top of the Colombiere we drop into the ski station of La Grand Bornand and then pick up the great valley road down to Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny. From here we cross the river Arve and climb back up into the Giffre Valley and home. This will be your longest day on the bike so be sure to enjoy the rest and recovery massage in the afternoon.

Distance: 80km

Elevation: 2210m D+

Today is the biggest climbing day of the week, totalling over 2000m of elevation. The day starts with a nice warm up down the valley to Taninges and we begin the climbing with the road up to Rond which you did on Monday. From the top we pick up the main road over the Col des Gets and down to Montriond and the foot of the Col de Joux Verte. This is a beautiful, quiet climb, taking us up to the ski station of Avoriaz. We pass by the "goat village" of Les Lindarets which is always special. Dropping down again to Morzine we approach your final climb of the day.

The Col de Joux Plane from Morzine starts off hard with a steep section out of the town. Once up this pitch you’re soon into the forest, winding your way up past ski lifts towards the Col du Ranfolly. This is a bonus col and is really the end of the hard climbing. From here there’s a downhill stretch before the final short bit of road up and over to the Col de Joux Plane. We make sure to stop and enjoy the views of Mont Blanc before heading down the fabulous descent straight to the hotel in Samoëns.  

Distance: 68km

Elevation: 1750m D+

Your last day in Samoëns takes you up the classic side of the Col de Joux Plane. After a quick warm up in the valley we hit the steep slopes out of the village. This climb is a Tour de France staple, and tops out at 1684m. We ride through meadows, past working farms, into the Verchaix forest from where we get spectacular views of Mont Blanc. It's worth stopping to take photos at the hairpins (not only to rest the legs!). We then get above the tree line and reach the col after a total of 11km at 8.8%. Then there is the great descent down into Morzine - back the way you came up yesterday. 

The very final climb of the week is the Col d’Encrenaz. This last effort is 5.8km at 7.1%. This side has a different flavour to the way we climbed earlier in the week, passing chalets and taking you through the small village of La Cote d’Arbroz. The final few hundred metres are over 10%, but once at the top there’s the wonderful quiet descent all the way back down to Taninges and then the spin home to the hotel.

Your transfer will leave for Geneva airport after breakfast.