Grenoble Cycling Pages

l'Alpe d'Huez - 1850 metres

The Alpe d'Huez is one of the great climbs of the Alps, and was first climbed by the Tour de France in 1952 when Fausto Coppi won the stage. The climb to the ski resort has 21 marked hairpins, with the toughest part of the ascent over the first three kilometres and first six hairpins.

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See July 2003---July 2002---July 2001---October 2000---July 2000---May 2000

Southern Ascent

Online Maps	View Larger Map
Start town :	Bourg d'Oisans
Starting Altitude :	719 metres
Distance :	14 kilometres
Vertical Climb :	1120 metres
Gradient :	7.7% average - 12% maximum
Comments :	There is another way to climb Alpe d'Huez, via Rochetaillee, and is over 20 kilometres, and with an average gradient of five percent, this may be an option if the legs are tired and you need to get home at the end of the day. There are also great views over the valley and surrounding mountains from this ascent. There are two climbs that can be ridden above Alpe d'Huez and both are well worth riding to if you have the time - images of both climbs can be found below the images of Alpe d'Huez on this page. The first is the Col de Poutran and a little further on from the Col is the Lac Besson. The Col de Poutran is 1995m and the car park at the Lac Besson is 2080m. You can find the road at the top of the ski resort next to the cable car to the Grande Rousses. The second climb is the Col de Sarenne, a lovely little road that can take you up to the Col at 1989 metres. You will find the Col de Sarenne signposted in Alpe d'Huez, a small road that passes the altiport as it leaves the village. From Alpe d'Huez, the road quality deteriorates in places on the 200 metre vertical climb to the Col. There is then a lovely descent down to the Barrage du Chambon and the foot of the climb to Deux Alpes.
Previous Winners on Alpe d’Huez	1976 : Zoetemelk 1977 : Kuiper 1978 : Kuiper 1979 : Agostinho 1979 : Zoetemelk 1981 : Winnen 1982 : Breu 1983 : Winnen 1984 : Herrera 1986 : Hinault 1987 : Echave 1988 : Rooks 1989 : Theunisse 1990 : Bugno 1991 : Bugno 1992 : Hampsten 1994 : Conti 1995 : Pantani 1997 : Pantani 1999 : Guerini 2001 : Lance Armstrong 2003 : Iban Mayo 2004 : Lance Armstrong 2006 : Fränk Schleck 2008 : Carlos Sastre

Not even a quarter of the distance.

The view after hairpin two.

The view after hairpin three.

The view from hairpin four, the steepest part of the climb.

Looking down the climb from hairpin four.

Climbing towards the hamlet of Le Ribot.

Halfway up the climb with the whirling rock formations behind.

Halfway up the climb, the road hugs the rockface.

The view of the hairpins and Bourg d'Oisans beneath them.

The road to come can been seen at top of the picture.

Hairpin views on the road to Alpe d'Huez.

The road between hairpin three and four contains a stretch of 12 percent but the village is close.

The Alpe d'Huez town sign but there are still two kilometres to the Tour de France stage finish.

The view from the Tour de France stage finish area, with views towards the Ecrins massif.

Col de Poutran - 1996 metres

Online Maps	Road to Col de Poutran and Lake Besson
Start town :	Bourg d'Oisans
Starting Altitude :	719 metres
Distance :	19 kilometres
Vertical Climb :	1390 metres
Gradient :	8.1% average - 12% maximum
Comments :

The view down to Alpe d'Huez and the glaciers of the Ecrins massif.

Above Alpe d'Huez, the view from the Col de Poutran (1996m) towards the Belledonne range in May 2000.

The Belledonne range and the Col de Poutran.

The road continues above the Col de Poutran to the Lac Besson, 2080 metres in altitude.

Mountain views when climbing above the Col de Poutran to the Lac Besson.

Col de Sarenne - 1989 metres

Online Maps	Col de Sarenne
Start town :	Barrage du Chambon and foot of climb to Deux Alpes
Starting Altitude :	1045 metres
Distance :	13 kilometres
Vertical Climb :	954 metres
Gradient :	7.5% average - 11.5% maximum
Comments :	A stunning climb on small and quiet roads with some of the best mountain views on any Col.

Descending towards the Barrage du Chambon.

Views over the road dropping down to the Barrage du Chambon.

The view of the Ecrins massif with a kilometre left to the Col when climbing from the Barrage du Chambon.

The Col de Sarenne.

Back to the Alps Part One