Cycling Routes in Les 2 Alpes — 4 of Our Favourites

Discover the top Les 2 Alpes cycling routes

Cycling is one of the France's most popular sports, and events like the Tour de France draw in millions of viewers each year, either online, on TV or in person lining the routes.

Find loads of top tips and local insights in our Les 2 Alpes Cycling Guide.

1. Les 2 Alpes to La Bérarde

Location: Les Deux Alpes

Great for a recovery ride or an alternative to the big passes

Les 2 Alpes to La Bérarde

Go from high mountain down into the Romanche Valley and Veneon Valley ending up right in the heart of the Écrins National Forest.

From Les Deux Alpes

Distance: 85km return
Elevation gain: ~1,600m
Highest point: 1,718 (La Bérarde)
Difficulty: moderate to challenging

Route description:

head to Barrage du Chambon via a fast, switchback descent on the D213 with views over Lac du Chambon
from the dam head west along the D1091 to Le Clapier and onto Bourg d'Oisans - a nice 15km flat alongside the river Romanche
at Bourg join the D530 for Venosc and La Bérarde and a gentle climb begins across bridges and through villages with epic views
the final 10 to 12km is narrow and wilder with short hills of 8-10%, passing waterfalls, granite spires before reaching La Bérarde (1,718m)

To head home, turn around and retrace your steps all the back.

2. Les 2 Alpes to Alpe d'Huez via Lac du Chambon

Location: Les Deux Alpes

Challenging loop of between 80km to 90km with the famed Alpe d'Huez climb.

Les 2 Alpes - Lac du Chambon - Alpe d'Huez loop

This route links two of the most famous cycling bases in the Alps - Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d'Huez - by descending into the Oisans valley, looping through Bourg d'Oisans, and climbing the legendary 21 bends. A classic Tour de France experience with varied terrain and stunning scenery.

From Les 2 Alpes

Distance: 85km to 90km
Elevation gain: around 2,000m
Average gradient: 8.2% (but steeper in sections)

Route description:

descent from Les 2 Alpes to Lac du Chambon is fast and winding on the D213 that brings you to the dam - it can be steep and is shaded in the morning so take care
join the D1091 west towards Bourg d'Oisans - a relatively flat stretch that's a good warm-up before the big climb
the 21 bends climb begins in Bourg d'OIsans and is a relentless climb to Alpe d'Huez (1,860m)
the bends are all numbered and named after past Tour de France winners, with the earliest ones being the steepest (around 10%) before easing after bend six.
you can descend the same way or take the quieter alternative route via Villard-Reculas
the final ascent back up to Les 2 Alpes is via the D213, a bit tough after such a big day but it's steady

Tip:
take a breather in the village of Huez (around bend six or seven) - there's a fountain and a café

An image of a road sign on the Col du Galibier, Valloire, French Alps

3. Les 2 Alpes to Col du Galibier

Location: Les Deux Alpes

Col du Galibier mountain pass is recurrently the highest point of the Tour de France

Col du Galibier

This col often features as part of a stage in the Tour de France, adding to its prestige among road cycling enthusiasts. First used in 1911 as part of the tour, the views at the top are some of the best in the Alps. Whilst the overall gradient is quite manageable, the final stretch is steeper and more exposed, especially the last 2-3km - making it a brutal test of endurance.

From Les Deux Alpes

Distance: 90km to 100km return
Elevation gain: 2,100m to 2,300m
Average gradient: 4.6% overall (but steeper in sections)

Route description:

descend to the Barrage du Chambon, then follow the D1091 towards La Grave and Col du Lautaret
the climb from the dam to Lautaret is long (around 30km), but relatively steady
from Col du Lautaret (2,058m) turn right for the iconic Col du Galibier, a short but intense 8km at between 7% to 9% gradient, it's dig deep time
return the same way for a thrillingly fast descent

Tip:
Ride early in the day and bring layers - it's often cold and windy at the top, even in summer

Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 16th May 2014

4. Col d'Ornon Ride Review

If you’re after a shorter less committing bike ride than the infamous 21 bends up to Alpe D’Huez, the Col D’Ornon is a great option from the same starting point. The ride is easily done in less than two hours and there are certainly no compromises on the scenery!

Starting in the cycling hub of Bourg D’Oisans, head up the valley towards Grenoble . Rather than heading off to the right to the beginning of the Alpe D’Huez climb, carry on along the flat for about another 2 km until you reach a turning on the left signposted to Ornon.

From here you will climb steadily for 11.5 km on a leisurely average gradient of 5.7%. Although there are steeper sections, they are well balanced with flatter moments making this a very manageable ride.

The steep cliffs lining the road are incredibly impressive and you’ll also be rewarded with beautiful glimpses across the valley. The villages of Ornon and La Poutuire towards to the top of the hill are also very quaint and pretty - for me, passing through small clusters of chalets in the mountains like this is what road biking is all about!

The Col D’Ornon round trip from Bourg D’Oisans is around 28km in total with 690m of climbing and a maximum elevation of 1370m.

Allow 1.5 - 2 hours.