Alpine Highlights: 3.5 day mini-break
Road Cycling Holidays in the Alps
- Up to 3.5 days of world-class cycling in stunning Alpine landscapes
- Conquer iconic Tour de France climbs in the French Alps – Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier, Lacets de Montvernier, Col de la Madeleine, Col de la Croix de Fer and more
- Cycle La Marmotte sportive – at your own pace!
- Stay in two well-located and comfortable 3* hotels
- Road bikes with low gearing and e-road bikes are available to hire
- Multiple route options each day with the flexibility to ride at your own pace
- Fully support from two expert Marmot guides with our bespoke support vehicles
- Transfers included from/to Geneva Airport with multiple flight options available
Days on the bike
The support was simply superb. I have been on one supported holiday before and this was head and shoulders above the quality of that one. The attention to detail was phenomenal. I don't just mean the vans (with EVERYTHING) you need but the knowledge of Alan and Gavin and their overall mission to give you the best holiday possible. From gps files to paper maps to bags in your room - they think of it all.
N Cavill
Introduction
The Maurienne Valley is considered by many to be the best place to cycle in Europe! With numerous bucket-list climbs and spectacular, gravity-defying roads snaking their way through beautiful alpine pastures, it is undoubtedly a fantastic place to ride a bike. This short cycling tour includes some infamous classic climbs of the Tour de France. Think Alpe d’Huez, Galiber, Lacets, de Montvernier, Madeleine, Croix de Fer, La Toussuire, Chaussy, Mollard and more. This tour also includes all the climbs of La Marmotte sportive, so it’s a great opportunity to ride the route, but at a pace that suits you, and over two days.
You’ll have unrivalled support from two of our expert Marmot guides with two fully kitted-out support vehicles. The holiday includes all breakfasts and evening meals (including wine with dinner), and we’ve planned each day’s route to incorporate cafe stops for lunch. As with our other flexi-route, flexi-pace holidays, you really can ride as much or as little as you like, at a pace that suits you without fear of holding up other riders, or being held up by others in the group. That said, within a group of around 20 cyclists you can be sure to find other riders with similar aspirations to yourself. This is your holiday and we’re here to help you achieve your personal cycling goals.
To make this mid-week cycling experience as hassle-free as possible, we include transfers from and back to Geneva Airport. You’ll spend three nights at the Hotel St Georges in the centre of St Jean de Maurienne and one night in the Hotel Castillan in La Grave (which has a swimming pool with a view of the Meije glacier). Both these cyclist-friendly hotels are rated as 3-star.
Please read our Trip Notes for full details of this itinerary and further details, to ensure that this is the best cycling holiday for you.
Foreign travel advice
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Departure Dates & Prices
2025
Discount Information
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your 3rd Marmot trip onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday (15% for a non-cycling companion).
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day (possible afternoon ride up La Toussuire)
We offer morning and afternoon transfers from Geneva airport (GVA) to our start hotel in Saint Jean de Maurienne, a journey of about 1hr 30min.
Those of you on our earlier transfer will have time for a warm-up ride today to the ski station and Tour de France stage ending of La Toussuire (1702m). Your guides will be busy in the afternoon with transfers for others in the group but we will provide you with the GPS file for this lovely climb.
You will have chance to meet your fellow riders when we assemble in the evening for a hearty dinner as a group, and start getting excited for the next few days ahead!
Classic route: 35km with 1150m ascent [ride profile]
Day 1: Montvernier, Chaussy & Madeleine
Here we go! Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is a mecca for road cyclists from all over the world and today you’ll find out why.
The gravity-defying stack of hairpins of the Lacets de Montvernier (787m) is a classic, and a Marmot Tours favourite that we’re sure you’ll love. It leads nicely into the Col du Chaussy (1533m) which is a characterful climb with spectacular views – hopefully these will ease the pain of the punchy sections! This is a favourite of many of our previous cyclists.
Following an enjoyable lunch, you have the option of retiring to the hotel or a bar, but those with energy left to burn might like to take on the mighty Col de la Madeleine (2000m). Oof!
Classic route: 47km with 1200m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 76km with 2350m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Télégraphe & Galibier
Your objective today is the infamous Col du Galibier (2642m). Starting down at 550m, it’s a climb full of variety and character as you rise out of the industrial valley floor through lush forests to the Col du Télégraphe (1566m). After a little respite in the ski station of Valloire, you continue through open moorland and spectacular mountain scenery to the rocky landscape of the col itself. It’s a very special place oozing Tour de France history!
You’ll be pleased to hear that it’s downhill for the rest of the day to your hotel in the charming resort town of La Grave. Unless, that is, you opt for the challenge route, which involves descending as far as the Col du Lautaret, then climbing back up to the Col du Galibier (2642m) from the south. This option really makes the most of this mountain!
Easier route (with lift up Télégraphe in the support van): 43km with 1230m ascent
Classic route: 68km with 2290m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 85km with 2880m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: L'Alpe d’Huez & Col de Croix de Fer
Cycling up the 21 bends to the ski station of Alpe d’Huez (1845m) is a genuinely emotional experience. The road climbs steeply, and you quickly gain awe-inspiring views, but it’s the Tour de France history that makes this climb so unique. With the orange-stained tarmac of Dutch Corner and the names of many cycling heroes painted on the road, there can be no doubt that you’re riding your bike in the same arena as the Tour de France legends. You’ll want to give this climb everything you have!
This 13.9km long, 1118m climb is not everyone’s idea of fun, so those who want a more leisurely day can skip it and focus on enjoying the climb to the Col de la Croix-de-Fer (2067m). This is one of our favourite cycling climbs in the French Alps, with reservoirs, alpine pastures and great views. The col is adorned with a great cafe, making it the perfect place to savour the moment with an ice cream before descending (mostly) to St-Jean-de-Maurienne.
Today’s ride is a fabulous grand finale to three exceptional days on the road bike.
(If you want to take on Alpe d’Huez but are unsure if you’ll have the energy for the Croix de Fer afterwards, we have a few places available in our support vehicles for a tactical lift-up part of this climb).
Classic route: 96km with 1720m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 118km with 2870m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: Departure day
Having packed in a heap of climbs over the past few days, it’s now time to give the legs a rest! We’ll transfer you back to Geneva Airport (1hr 55min) at set times in the morning, with a smile on your face and a load of kudos!
Trip Album
