Alpine Highlights: 3.5 day mini-break
- 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
Quote
I don’t begrudge a penny of the cost - for what was included I thought the holiday was most definitely good value for money. Despite it only being a short Alpine Highlights holiday, the routes and itinerary were excellent.
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, 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.
For the latest travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 3 or 3.5 days (depending on your arrival time) of stunning cycling, with route options daily
- Detailed GPS route files provided for all route options
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 4 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 3 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for detail
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Dinner on one night in St Jean de Maurienne, so that you are free to explore the local restaurants
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
This Classic, flexible-pace holiday itinerary offers a lot of flexibility, with a Classic and a Challenge route available each day (and sometimes an additional easier route too - see the trip description on the webpage for details of the route options available each day). Have a look at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage. Although we move on most days, the distance and altitude gain between hotels are manageable for most people who road-cycle regularly.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable 3* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
The hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Timings
Your day will usually start with breakfast from around 08:00 with set off time at around 09:00 to 09:30. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Depending on which route you choose each day, you’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:00. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may occasionally need to adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
Our holidays are cycling holidays (with an emphasis on cycling!), but you are welcome to have a lift in our vans during the day if you need one, for example if you’re injured, exhausted, or unsure about riding in challenging weather conditions. If you become ill or injured and are not planning to ride for the whole day (or if you would just like a day off the bike!), then we will normally recommend that you take a taxi directly to the next hotel. This will give you the maximum possible time to rest and recover at the hotel, or to enjoy other activities off the bike.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench).
See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
Departure Dates & Prices
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 third Marmot Tours road cycling holiday onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer morning and afternoon transfers from Geneva airport (GVA) to our start hotel in Saint Jean de Maurienne, a journey of about 1hr 30 min.
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 : 35 KM 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!
**Dinner tonight is not included. There are a number of lovely, smaller restaurants in town for you to choose from.**
Classic : 47 KM with 1200m ascent
Challenge : 76 KM with 2350m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Télégraphe & Galibier
Your objective today is the infamous Col du Galibier (2642m). Starting down at 550 m, 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 : 43 KM with 1230m ascent [ride profile]
Classic : 68 KM with 2290m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge : 85 KM with 2880m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: Alpe d’Huez & Col de la 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 13.9 km long, 1118 m 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.
Classic : 96 KM with 1720m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge : 118 KM 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 (1 hr 55 min) at set times in the morning, with a smile on your face and a load of kudos!
✓ Included in your Holiday cost:
- 3 or 3.5 days (depending on your arrival time) of stunning cycling, with route options daily
- Detailed GPS route files provided for all route options
- On-the-road support from two friendly and knowledgable guides both in customised support vehicles
- Water and unlimited snacks (fruit, cake, nuts, snack bars etc) at support stops
- 4 nights twin-share hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- 3 three-course evening meals, with wine, beer or soft drinks included
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days at specified times
- Our photos of you and your holiday, shared with you after the trip
- Tips paid to evening meal restaurant staff on behalf of the group
- Your money financially protected by ABTOT
- Added consumer confidence and support via our ABTA membership
+ Optional extras subject to availability for a supplementary cost:
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Your own single-occupancy hotel room for the whole trip
- BOOKED IN ADVANCE: Hire bike - titanium frame with hi spec components, safety checked by your guides each day
- ON-TRIP: Spare bike tyres, tubes and components in case you need them in an emergency
- ON-TRIP: CO2 canisters to borrow (and pay for if you use them)
- Marmot Tours x Stolen Goat cycling kit available exclusively from our online shop
×Not included in your Holiday cost:
- Flights to and from the destination airport
- Insurance for you and your own bike. See FAQs for detail
- Spending money for lunches and cafe drinks during the day. We encourage you to support local businesses
- Dinner on one night in St Jean de Maurienne, so that you are free to explore the local restaurants
- Tips for your guides
- Energy gels, powders, or recovery drinks/snacks (please bring your personal favourites with you)
- Spare parts specific to your own bike, definitely bring your own spare hanger! See Essential Info
- GPS navigation device and handlebar mount
- Bike lights (whether hiring or bringing your own bike)
- HIRING A BIKE: Bring your own pedals (saddles are provided but we recommend you bring your own to be comfortable)
Weather
We hope you’ll have sunshine and perfect cycling temperatures during your holiday, but obviously it’s the one aspect of your trip over which we have no control! Weather in the mountains can be highly changeable, and sometimes extreme. You’re likely to encounter a range of conditions and temperatures during your trip. You should bring warm and waterproof layers to protect you from the cold and rain. This is particularly important for the long descents that you’ll encounter on this trip.
Fitness
This Classic, flexible-pace holiday itinerary offers a lot of flexibility, with a Classic and a Challenge route available each day (and sometimes an additional easier route too - see the trip description on the webpage for details of the route options available each day). Have a look at the daily stats of distance and climbing on the trip webpage. Although we move on most days, the distance and altitude gain between hotels are manageable for most people who road-cycle regularly.
Hotels
We stay in comfortable 3* hotels with ensuite facilities. We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists. You will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender) unless you book a single room for a supplement (contact [email protected] for availability). Each hotel has a garage/locked room to ensure that your bike has a comfortable night too.
The hotels have WiFi but it is not always reliable! Some only have WiFi in reception as opposed to in individual rooms. Also, WiFi can be slower in the evenings when many riders choose to upload their routes to Strava, stretching the bandwidth.
Dietary requirements
The hotels and restaurants we use can cater for most dietary needs and allergies if we know what these are well in advance. Each day, your guides will also double-check with the kitchen, to ensure they have something suitable planned for you.
You can let us know about any special dietary requirements on the booking form or via email. Please note that we request you stick to your dietary preference for the entire trip, as it’s very complicated for the hotels (and guides) if an individual has dietary requirements for some meals and not for others.
Timings
Your day will usually start with breakfast from around 08:00 with set off time at around 09:00 to 09:30. Lunch is typically served in restaurants and cafes from 12:00 to 14:00. Depending on which route you choose each day, you’ll be back at the hotel any time between 14:00 and 18:00. Dinner is usually served at 19:30. Your guides may occasionally need to adjust these timings depending on the needs of the group or the weather conditions.
Lifts in the van
Our holidays are cycling holidays (with an emphasis on cycling!), but you are welcome to have a lift in our vans during the day if you need one, for example if you’re injured, exhausted, or unsure about riding in challenging weather conditions. If you become ill or injured and are not planning to ride for the whole day (or if you would just like a day off the bike!), then we will normally recommend that you take a taxi directly to the next hotel. This will give you the maximum possible time to rest and recover at the hotel, or to enjoy other activities off the bike.
Carbon wheels
If you have rim brakes on your carbon wheels then we definitely do NOT recommend you bring them on this holiday - this is because we have witnessed several cases of sudden and catastrophic delamination of these wheels on descents. Take a look at our blog about this issue.
Bike spares
If you’re bringing your own bike, then please also bring:
-
bike lights
-
a pump
-
tyre levers
-
inner tubes
-
brake pads
-
a chain link
-
a spare rear derailleur hanger.
Tools for bike assembly are not required as Marmot Tours has them available for you to use on arrival (including a torque wrench).
See FAQS for more detail.
Travel documents
If you are a non-EU national, to enter the EU you will need a passport issued within the last 10 years, that is also valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Residents of many countries can enter the EU for short stays without a visa. From 2027, all non-EU visitors to the EU will require an ETIAS electronic travel authorisation.
Travel insurance is essential for all Marmot Tours holidays and anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the tour.
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