The Most ICONIC Tour De France Climb | Alpe D'Huez

Alpe d'Huez a.k.a. 'The Alpe' is a classic climb of the Tour de France, with 21 hairpins and an average gradient of 7.9%, this is a challenging climb. Hank guides you through the climb statistics and how to ride it, along with top tips on cafe stops and tackling the toughest segments of this epic cycling climb! We help you plan your cycling holiday down to the very last switchback.
00:00 Intro
01:30 Ride to Alpe d'Huez
02:00 How to get to Alpe d'Huez
02:44 Cycling equipment
03:01 The climb
05:50 Cafes
06:11 When to ride Alpe d'Huez
07:51 KOM and QOM Alpe d'Huez
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[@gcn]

Have you ever had the chance to ride up Alpe D'Huez? 🏔

[@albertogarzone8878]

Marco Pantani's record : 36'40" (1995)

[@paulcollingridge8387]

It would take my wife and I about 6 hours on our Tandem! We are both pensioners and have been tandeming the hills of the UK for years, but never in Europe. Thanks, Hank for your overview.

[@luukrutten1295]

Yes and its definitely overrated

[@Choedron]

No. And I am not going to. Hate hills being a sprinter 😂👍

[@ashleyhouse9690]

Done it several times including three Marmottes. On that front it's about time GCN tackled La Marmotte.

[@MattSwain1]

I rode it in 2017, was truly a bucket list item for me. Drove down in a couple of days and stayed in Le Bourg D’oisans (which is at the foot of the Alpe, not 15km away - maybe Hank meant 15km to the top). Agree that the start is hard and would be very easy to go too deep too soon. I also got to ride the Croix de Fer, Lacets du Montvernier and the Galibier while I was there (not all in one day!!!). One of advantage of having your own transport there is it’s also possible to get to Mt Ventoux (approx a 3-4 hour drive) which I did as part of the same trip

[@gcn]

Sounds like the perfect trip! Which was your favourite climb?

[@NonFlyiingDutchman]

I did a similar trip a few years ago: Mt Ventoux first and then Alpe D'Huez. I found Mt Ventoux a lot harder but both great rides.

[@simoncummins2305]

You didn't mention that they close the road one Sunday every month AM only. Also it's possible to camp with plenty of camp sites in the valley.

[@krisbowditch827]

@@NonFlyiingDutchmanventoux with a early (7,30am) start during the hot summer is awesome way to start your day ❤☀️☀️🇫🇷👌

[@LordPopeye]

That's a dream trip! Would just love to do something like that.

[@adamsandler4076]

This is EXACTLY how video like this should be made! :))) Big thumbs up and we are waiting for couple of hundred more episodes from around Europe alone ;D

[@retoreto123]

What would also be very usefull is to show the exactly starting and end point from the strava segment. That would be the 10 of 10 points 😂

[@meanredspider]

I did the crazy Dutch charity event called Alpe DuZes - 6x up the Alpe in a day. We started at around 5am and it was below freezing at the summit - someone crashed on the first decent because they couldn’t feel their fingers. By early afternoon, it was 33C and over 90% RH. I weighed 85kg and the 6 ascents and 5 descents covers exactly 100 miles. It was brutal physically and tough mentally because you keep covering the same ground. What I wasn’t prepared for was how emotionally tough it would be because each of the 21 turns had candles lit for people who had died of cancer as well as lots of pictures. I climbed with tears pouring down my face more than once…

[@kpizzle1985]

First time I went to the Alps was when that event was on, we had no idea there would be an event on and we knew nothing about. We joined in anyway for one climb and it was absolutely amazing, never experienced an atmosphere like it at any other event anywhere!

[@meanredspider]

Yes - the Dutch are incredible. I’ve got to say, however, that when I was getting really tired on the 5th and 6th ascents, the Dutch comedy music at one point on the hill started to grate a little 🤣

[@LordPopeye]

Was lucky enough to have a go at this before moving back from England to Australia... but I had little training and almost no climbing in the legs. Never suffered like it, it's proper brutal. The word 'spectacular' doesn't begin to define this climb... half way up and the views are almost literally breathtaking. Can't wait to do it again, but in better riding shape this time. Unforgettable.

[@bitchoflivingblah]

Brilliant stuff Hank, more of this please. Austrian climbs are always underpresented as are ones in Eastern Europe, time to open them out to a bigger, and expectant, audience.

[@ianrobertson8514]

Have ridden up it many times but never down it...................always go on to do the Sarenne and loop back into Bourg. It is an icon but, to be honest, I find the Tourmalet and Ventoux of the icons to be more satisfying overall.

[@evictorr]

I've cycled up there 4 times, and thoroughly enjoyed them all. Great scenery, and I highly recommend continuing past the ski resort up to Lac Besson also.

[@chriswarwick563]

Rode it late September 2020,arrived late in the day and rented a very mediocre bike,had the company of some roller skiers on the way up;it started raining halfway up which continued to the top and back down What an experience,highly recommended 🚴‍♂️😎

[@jeremypritchard569]

Brilliant video. I really wanted a video that shows how to get there, where abouts to stay etc to tackle these epic climbs. Thanks for making it.

[@gcn]

Thanks! When will you be climbing the Alpe?

[@davidbai8506]

THANKS …. PLEASE do as many as you can on such Epic Climbs … they need to be recognized, celebrated and Ultimately driven!!! Best to all …. Happiest of New Year Cheer 2024!!!!!

[@chrismackenzie28]

Having just done a solo Marmotte last September, I feel extremely fortunate having got to do 4 magnificent climbs in one day. My sunrise on the upper slopes of Glandon is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Great video. I've ridden it a few times but I have to admit not without stopping in various places. Very foolishly I then decided to climb up to Croix Der Fer a much harder climb. Sadly I didn't make it well not until the following year when I went back and completed my ride. I am now old and have health issues ! But that said it might be a good enough excuse to buy an Ebike to ride it. What Hank didn't mention was that in the town there is a good bike shop which you can hire bikes from. I still look at my professionally taken photograph at the top of Alpe De Huez and smile. Go on ride it its something that you will never forget.

[@johnb5482]

I like the travelogue style of this video and Hank’s presenting demeanor added to it. Makes me wanna go bride it.

[@thiscocks]

We also did col de Sarenne around the back then down to Mizoen and up onto the valley road which joins back onto Alpe d'Huez half way up from the east. Worth it just for the views from the valley looking out over Le Bourg D'oisans to the cliffs on the other side 😃

[@mbee6606]

I have ridden this climb three times and loved it every time. I was also on there when Tom Pidcock won in 22. Amazing day ☀️

[@pipstrem5401]

Man, that really got me hyped up for the tour - can‘t wait to watch it on gcn+ next summer …

[@zygmuntowskidzwon]

very cool idea for a video! practical tips on famous climbs is what I needed :)

[@Chreeeys]

Nice very informative. Like this new format!

[@lufo5]

Did this summer... Les 2 Alps - alpe d'huez - les 2 Alps. A proper good day ♥️

[@duathlete827]

Well done and very informative presentation. Thanks

[@davehollingworth5537]

Yep, bucket list! Thanks ❤

[@fotmheki]

Loving this series of epic climbs for touring! Keep it up 👏 I've only done the Alpe de Zwift, hope to do the real deal in the future 👀

[@gcn]

Let us know if you do it, Did you enjoy the Zwift climb? 🚲

[@911tj]

you guys have been nailing these videos lately.. great job

[@gcn]

Thanks! Which climb to do you want to see next?🏔

[@ulyssemeersseman4161]

I'd love to see Luz Ardiden or the Ventoux !

[@BreumFlemming]

This is a great idea to make a series. Please elaborate a bit more on for instance how to get to and from airports cheapest and hotel prices etc. Looking forward to seeing episodes from Austria and Italy!!

[@dakalla]

I'm so excited, for me i'ts gonna be the start for an Everesting 10K Roam, all the way down to Nice within the last 36h of the Three Peaks Bike Race 2024. Please show more videos of iconic climbs or roads one has to ride one day!

[@karlproctor7526]

Excellent video. This is how this sort of content should be done.

[@simon_mlyx]

Proper good video this. More please!

[@dougbailey7919]

Climbed it in June! Epic!!

[@dalis994]

I rode Alpe d'Huez about 6x. Never got tired of it though sometimes it made me extremely tired :-) once I had a luxury to ride it completely fresh. It was a time trial organized a by local tourist agency - about 48 minutes, up to the first fountain in the village, segment: veil alpe d'huez. Once I rode it when already at the foot I had no legs because of previous climbing (part of Marmotte). It was a nightmare. Managed to do it without stopping. I did practically all climbs in the area of the Bourg d'Oisans. Some of them both sides - you get a completely different experience. The less known climbs were truly impressive, like a climb to Oulles - a tiny one way road to a tiny village. Or a climb to Villard Notre Dame, again one way tarmac road but you can go farther and at the top is one of the best views of Alpe d'Huez you can get. My favourite in that area is the duo Telegraphe-Galibier, what an experience. As for the distance from Bourg d'Oisans to the foot of the Alpe, it is less than 2 km.

[@internettalker1]

Epic climb indeed, similar here in the USA we have Whiteface mountain in Lake placid New York. Almost identical with the Alpe in length and elevation gain but without the switchbacks.

[@Kimberlietriracer25]

It's on my bucket list

[@michaelowen8158]

Riding this bucket list in 2024 along with many others on my way from Geneva to Nice. Can’t wait for this but need to loose the Christmas excess first 😅

[@blankseventydrei]

Thanks, I was putting this on my list for 2024 and these were the questions I had for myself, i need to convince my wife on what she can do there while i am riding...

[@gcn]

You could ride it together?🚴

[@blankseventydrei]

she is a runner, not a rider, even though I have been trying for years to get her a bike. ;-)@@gcn

[@LegLake]

More Than 21 Bends has a great guide service in Bourg d'Oisans that will take you on all the iconic climbs in this area. I did Alpe d'Huez as a loop ride, down the Sarrenne & then back into town along the Bons where the road hangs on the side of the cliffs. D'Huez is by no means the toughest climb because it's relatively short. The scenery on the Galibier is much more spectacular and a much tougher climb. If you like roads to yourself, the climb out of Pinerollo over the Colle de Angello is a absolute gem and over 7000 vertical feet of climbing!

[@Teeve01]

Fantastic video. Id love to go watch the TDF femme on the alpe!

[@larryobrien6366]

Great info. More like this please. Thank you.

[@gcn]

What climb would you like to see next?🏔

[@larryobrien6366]

Stelvio Pass@@gcn

[@gc641]

It’ll take a lot of chocolate croissant to get me up there😂😂….love this episode, more like this please👍🤙

[@martinsoelby5902]

Around corner you will find La Morte. Yes that's what it is called. It a killer climb that offers 4 AdH turn 1-2 sections. I didn't finish it but I did finish AdH the following day.

[@Hatchet25]

I rode it for the first time back in mid September this year which is a perfect time imo. Temperature wasn't too hot or cold and it was relatively quiet. The main thing I remember is just smiling (like an eijit) the whole way up even though its tough..... it's a real bucket list climb!!

[@gcn]

Sounds like the perfect day! What is the next climb on your list?

[@andyc9187]

Bourg is at the foot of the Alp, not 15km away. The town at the top is a building site! Worth doing but much better rides available in the area.

[@pepijnbruil957]

Well if you would go from Bourg to the village it would be around 15km

[@quentinpollard5173]

More videos like these please?

[@berndrocker161]

yes, we love bike rides and to see the nature - letˋs go there by plane!

[@dalis994]

Actually you can go several kms further up. The tarmac ends at around 2000 meters. And you can go to Sarenne. You can go to Alpe d'Huez also from Allemond via Villard Reculas - there is a balcony road with a fantastic view that will make you stop. I also recommend the Vercors massif near Grenoble - amazing gorges. Also the neighbouring Chartreuse. The views are just stunning - Near Alpe d'huez there is also Col de Sabot, a less known climb from Vaujany, about 10 km long. The area around Le bourg d'Oisans is quite special. There is one thing that is great about cycling in France, along the roads there are fountains where you can fill up bottles. It is usually safe to drink (with a potable sign).

[@seanyoung7184]

This is a great video Hank! Please do the same format video for Stelvio!!! PLEASE

[@MichaelSnasdell]

We rode it last year a couple of days after the TdF passed thru. We decided to base ourselves in Grenoble and ride there, do the Alpe and ride back. Epic day on the bike, some beautiful scenery along the way. Really hoping to do it all again soon.

[@gcn]

Awesome! Did you do any other climbs whilst you were in the area?

[@MichaelSnasdell]

@@gcn wish I could say yes but legs were gone lol. 90+ miles in 35c+ temps... That was enough for us haha. Next time maybe.

[@Mububban23]

If I ever get the chance to ride it, I'm not even going to try and set myself (for me) "a really good time." I want to survive it first, and soak it all in. Take lots of photos along the way. Just to be there and reach the top would be a bucket list moment for me.

[@jamestalkscycling]

The area also has some fantastic campsites if you wanted to save a bit of money. It's a truly great climb to watch the race from but hopefully I'll conquer it in 2024, if plans workout.

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year of love for cycling competitions oh yezzzzzz fans you can bet on it ❤🎉❤

[@michaelseibold9977]

I've done the Alpe a number of times and it is a wonderful climb. But if you really want to shred your legs, try the Colle Fauniera in the Piedmont outside of Dronero. The Alpe is 8.7% grade compared to the 11.2% grade on Colle over a similar distatnce. At the top of the climb is a stature of Pantani.

[@matthewhall2372]

I had the "pleasure" of doing this climb 5 days after Pidcock's 2022 win. It was everything I hoped and feared it would be

[@gcn]

That sounds awesome! Did you descend like Pidcock did that day?👀

[@we1rd92]

Tells you a lot when the record from 1997 is still 2 minutes faster than the current KOM

[@bitchoflivingblah]

Possibly the important thing is that anti-doping control is working?

[@johnstrac]

There a big asterisk against Pantani's time though. Hopefully I'll get to the Alpe this year, I'll let you know.

[@michealofloinn2539]

Been There Done That! By the way I really liked Bourg d'Oisans.

[@AKG77]

Went up on my bikepacking trip last June. But I did not go up or down the iconic hairpins. Instead from Col la Sarenne then down the road passing Villard Reculas. Which are quieter roads and more scenic I feel.

[@AirwolfCrazy]

It may be a must climb ride but for now I will just have to enjoy riding it on Zwift.

[@markbaird907]

Did it last August! It was pissing freezing rain and snowing at the village! I was so hypothermic and in the pain cave that I turned right by the ski lifts and rode the other steep sections to the upper part of the village, completely missing the last 4 or 5 turns! Couldn’t feel my hands or legs all the way down - completely frozen along with the permanent grin on my face!!!

[@markricketts6957]

If you want another world class mountain ride try highway 288 from Ollantaytambo to Santa Teressa, near Cusco in Peru. You start with a climb of around 2500m altitude. Followed by a descent of 2500m altitude over 53km. I rode(downhill only) 2 days ago and it is stunning. The best fun I have ever had on a bike.

[@gambitmkii]

Training to climb this one day

[@SteveSingerFowkes]

Only 14k dude

[@gcn]

You'll smash it we're sure 🙌

[@chiefsittingstill6061]

I did it in the 2006 Etape; reaching Le Bourg-d'Oisans, at the base, I had 100 or so miles in my legs/almost 7 hours in the saddle already. Grovelled up to the to summit in brutal 35 degrees heat 🥵 I had very little energy left to attack it properly and only managed a token burst towards the finish line. Would love to have a go at it fresh 😀

[@gcn]

Sounds like a monster of a day😰

[@elka2palka]

I would love to watch a comparison video Alpe d'Hues vs Alpe du Zwift

[@rogersittnikow]

Did it on our honeymoon together with my wife. Then watched the Tour climb up it the next day. Also did the other near by climbs mentioned. I think the toughest part is between bend 4 and 3, the long open travers near the end of the climb.

[@tonywilson5468]

I did the climb in 2019. It was an iconic climb that I'd wanted to do since I was a teenager in the 80's, and it didn't disappoint 😊 The finish at the top was a disappointment though, hugely underwhelming!!

[@bitchoflivingblah]

Very much in 'It's the journey that counts' territory !!!

[@DM-ht9ql]

They used to close the climb to cars every Sunday to allow cyclists only. I cant remember if it was for a few hours or the whole day. The descent is incredible, especially the top section with long open stretches between hairpins.

[@ricolaaij5806]

i gonna climb this mountain 6 times in june during the event alpe huzes !!

[@gcn]

Wow! Good luck! You'll smash it!

[@kankama1]

I would add that many MAMILS (like me) should also have a different gear set. I barely made it up on my touring bike with a 3 chain ring set up. Ensure you have a low first gear. Great video.

[@MisterPlopPlop]

Did the climb a few years ago, which was challenging. What i thoroughly disliked was the amount of traffic. So many construction trucks went uphill that it took a lot of joy out of it. The flanks though are beautiful experiences but less hard. I highly recommend the Notre dame climb opposite to it, way more adventurous and little to no traffic

[@Angarilli_backup]

Are there ever collisions between ascents and descents.

[@jimedwarde7365]

Never done it but doing the marmotte for the first time next year. Gulp!

[@gcn]

Good luck! You'll do amazing!👏

[@saturday7]

Lance Armstrong riding out of the saddle, dancing his way up the Alpe d'Huez was a sight of pure glory. Sheer willpower and unbreakable commitment.

[@BMinus0593]

And drugs, don’t forget the performance enhancing drugs.

[@saturday7]

@@BMinus0593 yes, like many of his peers Armstrong used PEDs. He should also be remembered for his style of riding, his indomitable, unyielding competitive spirit. These things too should not be forgotten.

[@DJM9678]

@@saturday7 sorry but any comment celebrating Armstrong is bad judgment. Not because he doped but because the kind of person he was in the peleton. It's like praising a psychopath because he is handsome

[@zebeddy]

Can you do this for Mount Ventoux please? 😀

[@juraj_6385]

2:37 @Global Cycling Network you didnt include col du Sabot to the list of the climbs easily reachable from Bourg which is a BEAST type of climb in a way much more demanding than Alpe d'Huez. Kudos for Sarenne mention.

[@MechaNick767]

Looks awesome. Now I know that Alpe de Zwift is modelled after Huez. But how close to the real thing is it? Is it a good way to practise for the real deal?

[@mr.premsta6200]

I’m going to ride Alpe d’huez on the gym bike lol

[@treyquattro]

looks absolutely fantastic. Might try the Zwift version first

[@gcn]

Let us know how you get on👀

[@treyquattro]

@@gcn transpires I'll be cribbing some of Conor's levelling-up advice first !

[@ilkoremmers6256]

If you are close to Alpe D'Huez you should also need to get to Lacets de Montvernier, a super and very weird but beautifull climb.

[@gcn]

That is an awesome climb!

[@PorscheDiddy]

You should stay in Hotel Le Cassini in Le Freney d'Oisans, much quieter than Bourg d'Oisans or Alpe d'Huez and the hotel has an amazing high quality restaurant! I've done Alpe d'Huez numerous times but there are much nicer climbs in the region

[@clarklowe5632]

Done that but want to try it again when I am not exhausted. Starting after 130km and Madeleine and Glandon before it made it quite miserable. Especially after La Loze the day before after 132km. Also my Garmin edge died halfway up so I had to switch to my watch so no Strava time.

[@dmytro_cherevyk]

I believe that after the end of the war (in my countru) I will be able to go on a bike trip and visit this legendary place.

[@RaymondOlgado0]

Illi!!!!!

[@krissk77]

One day... 😊❤

[@two-eyedRoy]

Hmmm... it are in a far far away, make believe, land. I might have to settle for Mt Kosciuszko, either side of Bright, and Mt. Wellington.

[@seascape]

Would love to try this one day! Any gearing advice for an average or slightly below average rider?

[@martins.3070]

The lower the more enjoyable I‘d say. 34-32 should be fine. It‘s not very long and not very steep.

[@bababaanarama]

Like Stelvio - overhyped, but if you ride east past the normal finish. 3km on worse roads and its stunning.

[@patrickwong4824]

You never talk about going down.🤣

[@autofox5.067]

I may have to settle for Alp d’ Zwift

[@cokanyildirim]

My record is 1:58 ,, ftp 220 13.86 km +1109 mt.

[@gcn]

Great work!

[@catvue2954]

Also, there is virtually nothing open in the summer months up the top of Alp d’huez. There’s a small supermarket and maybe th odd restaurant but it’s a winter resort mainly for skiers and not cyclists. It’s not a great descent either due to the amount of hairpins, you brakes take a pounding!

[@drm437]

Tip number one: Do it early in the morning. It’s nice and peaceful and the weather is cooler. Tip two: don’t take a wrong turn. I took an access road at turn three because I wasn’t paying attention. I’m probably the only dummy to do this.

[@iancalland5934]

The Alp D'Huez triathlon is brutal following a 1.2 mile icy cold swim its the last climb of three then you face a 13 mile run

[@R20VT100M]

Would love to go up Alpe d’huez. Think I’d hire a bike as I could pick one with compact gearing, and disc brakes for the descent after.

[@gcn]

Nice idea, Any other bucket list climbs?

[@R20VT100M]

I’d love to do Ventoux, Stelvio and sa Calobra too!

[@johnwestwell2241]

Having ridden Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez (on consecutive days) I’d say Ventoux is a more satisfying climb - the scenery at the top and the views on a clear day are amazing. Alpe d’Huez can be a bit grim visually - a lot of the time, you feel like you’re climbing a cliff face. Although the very flat hairpin bends do provide regular relief from the steep gradients on the lower half.

[@Masteroftee]

Het @gcn can u make comparison about climbing that In Real life and do this same segment on strava wich was inspired to create Alpe d'zwift and imitiate this road?

[@nationsnumber1chump]

How cool would it be if you could ride over it on Zwift and then down the other side?

[@G40Sam]

An underwhelming 1:19 time for me up there, it was the day after we watched the tour go up though so maybe a day of revelry the day before wasn't the best prep. It really is a great party though.

[@chrisdavis8399]

Question all. For those who ridden the Alpe, does the Zwift version even come close to replicating the ride? Cheers!

[@TheDom1961]

The zwift version is hard and somewhat accurate. No way the virtual ride can duplicate wind, altitude oxygen debt and climbing with a 16lbs bike up that Alpe. I have done both and nothing matches how difficult the real Alpe is.

[@ksoman953]

‼No. I don't have to do it. I have you to do it and I to watch from my armchair ;) Thanks for the UToob. Amazing.

[@Eugenestube]

I drove it in 2022 in Sprinter Van. Almost 💩 myself.

[@leedixon2113]

You say in the video that from the centre of Bourg to the alpe is 15km, that's incorrect by some margin, it's around 1.5km, it's only 4km from the campsites out of town to the foot of the alpe.

[@jalebkhan]

So what’s the average time to expect for amateurs?

[@kennethward9530]

Since several of the GCN presenters are ex-professional racers, when talking about a route such as the Alpe, if they rode it in competition, could we please get some footage of them competing on that route? Thanks

[@gcn]

We could do a GCN presenter race up the Alpe, who do you think would win?

[@kennethward9530]

England only or shall we include GCN Italy and Germany?@@gcn