Road-biking

The Hautes-Alpes department in France is a world centre for cycling, and you can stay right in the centre of it for the cycling trip of lifetime. Our apartments offer secure storage for bikes and equipment, off-road parking, good hot showers and plenty of space to relax after a great day on the incredible routes and legendary cols that this area can offer. With 300 days of sunshine a year you should get incredible conditions for your cycling holiday.

The Legendary Cols of the Hautes-Alpes

The Hautes-Alpes department offers the most incredible selection of road biking for the real enthusiast. This area has many of the most celebrated climbs and descents in road biking history, made famous by the Tour de France, and they are all here for you to do. When you ride here you are riding in the historic tracks of Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinalt, Fausto, Coppi and more recently Lance Armstong.

These are some of the best cols that you can ride here:

Le Col de Galibier/Telegraphe (2 645 m)

Le Galibier is one of the most beautiful cols in the French Alps and you will need to dig deep into your reserves to overcome this natural monument. The north side of the col is the most difficult and imposing being nearly 35km in length, a 11.5km ascent of the Col du Telegraphe, a 4km descent to Valloire then finally a 18.5km climb of Col du Galibier. From the southern side it is somewhat easier (assuming that you start from the top of the Col de Lautaret) with 8.5km of riding and 585m of height gain required for the summit. At the top of the col is a monument to Henri Desgranges (the creator of the Tour de France). The col offers a splendid views of the glaciers and summit of the Meije (3 987 m).

The Col d'Izoard (2 361 m)

The Col d'Izoard is one of the most famous climbs frequently used in the Tour de France. The ascent starts in Briançon at 1 210m and over 20km it climbs a vertical altitude of 1200m. The climb is beautiful passing through pine forests to the more open and exposed summit. At the top of the col you get a fantastic panoramic view of the Briançonnais region on one side and the Queyras region to the other. Also at the summit is a small museum dedicated to the Tour de France. From here you can descend through the "Casse Deserte" (broken desert), reminiscent of the surface of the moon, down into Brunissard in the Queyras and return to the apartments via the small town of Guillestre.

The Col du Granon (2 413 m)

The Col du Granon was last used by the Tour de France in 1986. It gives amazing views into the valley of the Guisane and Serre Chevalier ski resort. As you climb the very open road you will have exceptional views of the highest peaks in the Ecrins national park : the Meije, the Barre des Ecrins (4102 m), and the Pelvoux (3 946 m), to name a few....and then you have the descent!!!

The Col de Vars (2 109 m)

The Col de Vars from a height point of view is less impressive than Galibier, Izoard and Granon, but it is continuously steep and requires a strong rhythmic approach to reach the top. There are very few resting sections on this climb so to reach the top in one push is a major achievement.

The Col du Montgenèvre (1 860 m)

This col is one of the easiest climbs between France and Italy in the Alps and will take you through the winter ski resorts of Clavière in Italy and Montgenèvre in France. The col is historically very interesting as it was the route by which Napoleon launched his invasions into Italy.

Follow this link to the Hautes-Alpes.net site for a look a 20 suggested routes of all levels taking in many of these cols.

Other cols within 1 hour's drive of the apartments:

- Alpe d'Huez (1 830 m)
- Col de la Croix de Fer - (2 067 m)
- Col du Glandon (1 924m)
- Col du Lautaret (2 058m)
- Les Deux Alpes (1 650 m)
- La Berarde (1 711m)
- Col du Noyer (1 664 m)
- Col Lebraut (1 110m)
- Col de Pommerol/Fromagère (1 072 m)

Cols reserved for cyclists only:

The following cols are closed to motorised transport and opened for the exclusive use of cyclists on the following dates in 2010. There is no charge for cyclists to ride the cols on these special days.

For more information on the reserved cols click here

• Col de Pommerol/Fromagère (1 072 m) - Monday 19th July 2010

• Col de Foureysasse (1040m) - Tuesday 20th July 2010

• Col du Noyer (1 664m) – Wednesday 21st July 2010

• Col de Galibier (2 645 m) – Thursday 22nd July 2010

• Col d’Izoard (2 361m) – Friday 23rd July 2010

Examples of other great rides from the doorstep of our apartments:

Vallouise valley - The road climbs up through alpine pastures and forests to the Pré de Madame Carle, just below the Barre des Ecrins (4 102m), from where you can see the Glaciers Blanc and Noir.

Freissinieres Valley - Descend to L'Argentière la Bessée and then climb steadily into the Freissinières valley where you will have great views of the river Durance and Mont Dauphiné. Continue along the Freissinières valley amongst beautiful alpine farms to the head of the valley at Dormillouse.

If all that doesn't whet your appetite then why not combine your cycling holiday with watching a stage of the 2011 Tour de France. This coming year the Tour de France will be in the Hautes Alpes for 4 consecutive days! The riders will climb the Galibier twice!

For a more detailed look at the stages click here.

Want to bring your own bike? ...things to consider if you are coming here with your own equipment:

Maps for the Area

Click here to view the details of the maps covering this area