Alpe d'Huez

The climb everyone has to do

If you ride a bike and you come to the Alps, you’re climbing Alpe d’Huez. That’s not up for debate. Since Fausto Coppi won the first Tour de France stage here in 1952, these 21 hairpin bends have become the most famous climb in cycling. Every bend is numbered in reverse and named after a former stage winner — a countdown from 21 to 1 that builds anticipation with every switchback.

During summer, roughly 1,000 cyclists ride up every single day. On car-free days and during the Marmotte granfondo, that number swells to thousands. The atmosphere is electric — even on a quiet Tuesday morning, you’ll share the road with riders from every corner of Europe, all chasing the same goal.

What to expect

The first 2km are the hardest. Don’t let the excitement make you start too fast. The gradient kicks up to 10-13% immediately after leaving Bourg d’Oisans, and your legs will scream if you haven’t warmed up. Bend 21 arrives at 806m — you’ve already climbed 90 metres in under a kilometre.

Bends 21 to 17 are relentless — sustained 8.5-12% through a series of tight hairpins cutting through forest. This is the section that breaks people who went out too hard. Settle into a rhythm, find your gear, and be patient.

Bends 17 to 15 offer brief relief as you pass through the hamlet of La Garde. The gradient eases to 6.5-7% and you can recover slightly. Refill your bottles at the water fountain here if needed.

Bends 15 to 7 are the meat of the climb — sustained at 7-9.5% with occasional kicks to 10%. The scenery opens up and you start to see the valley spreading out below. The hairpins become wider and more spaced apart.

Bend 7 — Dutch Corner. This is the legendary spectator point where thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans gather during the Tour de France. Even on a normal day, it’s a landmark that gives you a boost. You’re nearly there.

Bends 6 to 1 take you through the village of Huez and up the final ramps to the station. The gradient is inconsistent here — some flat sections give false hope before a final kick of 8% delivers you to the roundabout at the top. Raise your arms. You’ve earned it.

Descent options

Don’t just go back the way you came. The classic descent is fine, but consider these alternatives for a more interesting ride:

Via Col de Sarenne — Continue over the back of Alpe d’Huez to the Col de Sarenne (1,999m), then descend through wild, empty mountain roads back to the valley. Adds roughly 350m of climbing but the scenery is extraordinary and you’ll likely have the road to yourself.

Via Villard Reculas — Take the spectacular cliff road (Pas de la Confession) to the tiny village of Villard Reculas, then descend via Allemont. The views from this balcony road are some of the best in the Oisans. A few extra metres of climbing but absolutely worth it.

The Wednesday race

Every Wednesday at 10am during summer, there’s a mass-start timed event up Alpe d’Huez. Registration opens at 9am at the Bourg d’Oisans tourist office (you can also get your number and chip the day before). The chip starts timing when you cross the sensor at the base of the climb. It’s free, it’s fun, and you’ll get an official time to brag about.