Alpe d'Huez - yes you can
There are two types of cyclists on Alpe d'Huez: the ones who need to do it fast, and the ones who just need to do it. Whether you are a pro or a bucket-lister - nobody wants to embarrass themselves, everyone wants to make it to the top, and certainly everyone can (at their own speed). This short 8.6 mile climb will make you feel like a King of the Mountain.
Five things you need to know about Alpe d' Huez
The facts
The location
Huez, Rhône-Alpes, France
Restaurants, hotels, markets, bike shops and outside patios located in Le Bourg-d'Oisans at the base of the climb. Outdoor activities, outdoor patios, and some hotels open in summer, up in the villages at top.
The history
Romans mined here for silver, copper, zinc and coal thousands of years ago on the high pasture slopes. Electricity, roads, and the first cable car were built later for modern day silver and coal miners. Skiers discovered the slopes in 1911. The ski village atop opened in 1936. Trees were cut and avalanches became more common, in 1950 the miner's dormitory was destroyed by an avalanche and 12 men were killed; the mines were closed shortly after. The valley has quite an involved history during WWII, recovering quickly to become a fashionable vacation spot post-war.
The Tour de France
Make it Lucky #29: the number of times the Tour de France has included this climb since 1952.
Come join the over one million people capable of loading onto this hillside during the next Tour day on July 25, 2015. Colorful, costumed spectators come days in advance in white camper vans and tents; parading upward the day of the race to fill every nook and cranny. Various flags fly and foreign accents overheard from countries around the world - all to seewhose name will next be added to a signpost on one of the 21 hairpin bends and forever enter history as a stage winner on Alpe d'Huez.
In 1979 the climb was included in two different stages of the same Tour. The 2001 and 2004 titles have been vacated (striped). In 2004 there was an individual time trial up the mountain. In 2013 the climb was included twice in the same stage. The first climb up Alpe d'Huez in the Tour de France was won by Fausto Coppi in 1952.
The corners
They are rightly called "hairpin bends;" must use both words to describe the steep switchbacks. The most striking thing about the majority of the hairpin bends, is that the corners are relatively flat-ish and the ramps are not flat at all - they indeed ramp up so steeply, to a cyclist, it feels as if your handlebars are suddenly thrust toward your face. The corners make the climb exhilarating, the changing views and signposts entertaining. All this is good because right when you think you've finished a set of bends, the next set suddenly appear before you, then the next. 8.6 miles never felt so long.
The signs
When you see signpost #1, start celebrating - you have climbed Alpe d'Huez!
List of Signs on the bends of Alpe d'Huez: Pedal Dancer®
Bend # 21 - (1) Fausto Coppi, and (22)Lance Asmstrong (located at the bottom)
Bend # 20 - (2) Joop Zoetemelk, and (23) Iban Mayo
Bend # 19 - (3) Hennie Kuiper, and (24)Lance Armstrong
Bend # 18 - (4) Hennie Kuiper, and (25) Frank Schleck
Bend # 17 - (5) Joaquin Agostinho, and (26) Carlos Sastre
Bend # 16 - (6) Joop Zoetemelk, (27) Pierre Rolland
Bend # 15 - (7) Peter Winnen, and (28) Christophe Riblon
Bend # 14 - (8) Bret Breu, and (29) Thibaut Pinot !
Bend # 13 - (9) Peter Winnen
Bend # 12 - (10) Luis Herrera
Bend # 11 - (11) Bernard Henault
Bend # 10 - (12) Federico Echave
Bend # 9 - (13) Steven Rooks
Bend # 8 - (14) Gert-Jan Theunisse
Bend # 7 - (15) Gianni Bugno
Bend # 6 - (16) Gianni Bugno
Bend # 5 - (17) Andrew Hampsten
Bend # 4 - (18) Roberto Conti
Bend # 3 - (19) Marco Pantani
Bend # 2 - (20) Marco Pantani
Bend # 1 - (21) Guiseppe Guerini (located at the top)
The orange corner
Corner #7 is famously called The Dutch Corner. Orange clad spectators by the thousands clammer, stammer and hammer in this corner for all things Dutch. Dutch corner has been going strong (and gaining) since the 60s. Video: Alpe d'Huez's Dutch Corner, By Bicycling with Frankie Andreau, and also Tour De France 2013 - Alpe D'Huez - With The Fans At Dutch Corner, By GCN. Across from the orange madness, sits a church.
The church
Any cyclist who has climbed Alpe d'Huez knows that the site of this chapel means you are nearing the top of the climb. It is a landmark well remembered. The name of the picturesque chapel is Church of Sainte Anne and is located in Huez Village at 1450m. The church still offers services on the first Saturday of every month in the early evening. The church also organizes a special Saint Anne's Feast Day in July. The festival is organized by Huizats (the inhabitants of Huez, that's true) to honor the patron Saint of Huez. The festival includes painting stained glass, trout fishing, a meal in the countryside, a ball, a traditional costume parade, a boot fair, and a mass.
The top
The profile
The climbs
The traditional approach is directly up the front side.
Col de Sarenne is an optional small road down the back side (south side). The two roads adjoin at signpost #4. If climbing up, stay left for the traditional climb to the top, stay right for the road to the back way off the mountain, which winds along a small rough balcony road with dark tunnels and more climbing.
The record
1st: 37' 35" Marco Pantani
Coppi had a time of 45m 22s in 1952
Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault each had times of 48m 0s in 1986
Laurent Fignon 41m 50s in 1989
Miguel Induráin 39m 28s in 1995
Sammy Sanchez had a time of 41m 21s in 2011
Nairo Quintana 39m 50s in 2013
STRAVA Records and Alpe d'Huez tdf - where the pros meet the amateurs
The time card
You may officially record your time up Alpe d'Huez the old fashioned way - by purchasing a card from the Le Bourg-d'Oisans Tourisme Office in town, at the base of the climb, and punching your card in the machine near the #1 signpost at the top. The old cards are a fun souvenir.
La Marmotte
Starting annually in Bourg D’Oisans, the famous amateur sportive of La Marmotte climbs the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, and Col du Galibier, before finishing up Alpe D’Huez. All in one day!
In July, 170 km and 5100 m height gain, 7500 participants, more information.
The approach
Nearest airport: Grenoble, 90 minutes (105km).
Nearest rail station: Grenoble
Bus line: AlpeHuezNet Buses
Lifts: 9 lifts open throughout the summer and a shuttle bus to the Auris resort
Drive time from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to the top: 30 minutes
Summer Lift Passes to Alpe d'Huez: AlpeHuezNet
The photo
My report
I have been very fortunate to have climbed Alpe d'Huez twice, the first time in 2003 during a stage of the Tour de France, and again in 2007 on a non-Tour day (ride report). Both were enjoyable but quite different. A Tour day on the climb is a mad-house, with space allowed for the riders to pass reduced to mere centimeters. A non-tour day allows for time to read the signs, take pictures and enjoy a cool drink at a cafe at the top.
Starting in Le Bourg-d'Oisans, the first two turns are a long steep and intimidating at 13%, but the grade lessons to 8%. Don't become discouraged at the bottom, it gets better. Descending is fabulous fun. Most striking is that the corners are flat and the straights are jarringly steep. This is the opposite of mountain road construction in the United States. It is a thrilling climb. Unless you are racing it for an official time, why rush.
Other ride reports and videos
Stage 20 Tour de France 2015
For more information about Alpe d'Huez in the 2015 tour de France, please see the Stage Preview at the bottom of this post: Stage 19 TDF: Haven't we seen this before? & Stage 20 Preview.
And here it is - my favorite Laurens Ten Dam video of all time - on Alpe d'Huez in 2011:
Read more 2015 Tour de France Coverage by Pedal Dancer®
There are two types of cyclists on Alpe d'Huez: the ones who need to do it fast, and the ones who just need to do it. Whether you are a pro or a bucket-lister - nobody wants to embarrass themselves, everyone wants to make it to the top, and certainly everyone can (at their own speed). This short 8.6 mile climb will make you feel like a King of the Mountain.
Five things you need to know about Alpe d' Huez
- It is totally doable
- It is short
- It will either hurt a lot, or you didn't ride it fast enough
- It ends
- You get to go downhill after
The facts
- Start: Le Bourg-d'Oisans in the Romanche valley
- Road to top: D211 (love those D roads!)
- Length: 13.2 km (8.6 glorious miles)
- Average grade: 8.1 %; Maximum grade: 13 %
- Height start: 744 m; Height top: 1815 m
- Ascent: 1071m (3,749 elevation gain)
- Who else uses the mountain: skiers, mountain bikers, skateboarders, hikers, botanists
The location
Huez, Rhône-Alpes, France
 |
| Alpe d'Huez climbs the side of this enormous ancient glacier gulley in the center of the photo above. You can see the 21 switchbacks to the left of the gulley. This dramatic photo is from Steephill.TV |
The history
Romans mined here for silver, copper, zinc and coal thousands of years ago on the high pasture slopes. Electricity, roads, and the first cable car were built later for modern day silver and coal miners. Skiers discovered the slopes in 1911. The ski village atop opened in 1936. Trees were cut and avalanches became more common, in 1950 the miner's dormitory was destroyed by an avalanche and 12 men were killed; the mines were closed shortly after. The valley has quite an involved history during WWII, recovering quickly to become a fashionable vacation spot post-war.
The Tour de France
Make it Lucky #29: the number of times the Tour de France has included this climb since 1952.
Come join the over one million people capable of loading onto this hillside during the next Tour day on July 25, 2015. Colorful, costumed spectators come days in advance in white camper vans and tents; parading upward the day of the race to fill every nook and cranny. Various flags fly and foreign accents overheard from countries around the world - all to seewhose name will next be added to a signpost on one of the 21 hairpin bends and forever enter history as a stage winner on Alpe d'Huez.
In 1979 the climb was included in two different stages of the same Tour. The 2001 and 2004 titles have been vacated (striped). In 2004 there was an individual time trial up the mountain. In 2013 the climb was included twice in the same stage. The first climb up Alpe d'Huez in the Tour de France was won by Fausto Coppi in 1952.
 |
| One of the most famous cycling photographs was captured on Alpe d'Huez in 1986 when Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault grabbed hands over the finish line. |
They are rightly called "hairpin bends;" must use both words to describe the steep switchbacks. The most striking thing about the majority of the hairpin bends, is that the corners are relatively flat-ish and the ramps are not flat at all - they indeed ramp up so steeply, to a cyclist, it feels as if your handlebars are suddenly thrust toward your face. The corners make the climb exhilarating, the changing views and signposts entertaining. All this is good because right when you think you've finished a set of bends, the next set suddenly appear before you, then the next. 8.6 miles never felt so long.
 |
| The 21 numbered hairpin bends of Alpe d'Huez |
When you see signpost #1, start celebrating - you have climbed Alpe d'Huez!
List of Signs on the bends of Alpe d'Huez: Pedal Dancer®
Bend # 21 - (1) Fausto Coppi, and (22)
Bend # 20 - (2) Joop Zoetemelk, and (23) Iban Mayo
Bend # 19 - (3) Hennie Kuiper, and (24)
Bend # 18 - (4) Hennie Kuiper, and (25) Frank Schleck
Bend # 17 - (5) Joaquin Agostinho, and (26) Carlos Sastre
Bend # 16 - (6) Joop Zoetemelk, (27) Pierre Rolland
Bend # 15 - (7) Peter Winnen, and (28) Christophe Riblon
Bend # 14 - (8) Bret Breu, and (29) Thibaut Pinot !
Bend # 13 - (9) Peter Winnen
Bend # 12 - (10) Luis Herrera
Bend # 11 - (11) Bernard Henault
Bend # 10 - (12) Federico Echave
Bend # 9 - (13) Steven Rooks
Bend # 8 - (14) Gert-Jan Theunisse
Bend # 7 - (15) Gianni Bugno
Bend # 6 - (16) Gianni Bugno
Bend # 5 - (17) Andrew Hampsten
Bend # 4 - (18) Roberto Conti
Bend # 3 - (19) Marco Pantani
Bend # 2 - (20) Marco Pantani
Bend # 1 - (21) Guiseppe Guerini (located at the top)
 |
| Andy Hampsten's name is on Sign #5 of 21 signs on Alpe d'Huez. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer® I must have been continuing to ride my bike past the sign, because that sure is blurry! |
Corner #7 is famously called The Dutch Corner. Orange clad spectators by the thousands clammer, stammer and hammer in this corner for all things Dutch. Dutch corner has been going strong (and gaining) since the 60s. Video: Alpe d'Huez's Dutch Corner, By Bicycling with Frankie Andreau, and also Tour De France 2013 - Alpe D'Huez - With The Fans At Dutch Corner, By GCN. Across from the orange madness, sits a church.
The church
Any cyclist who has climbed Alpe d'Huez knows that the site of this chapel means you are nearing the top of the climb. It is a landmark well remembered. The name of the picturesque chapel is Church of Sainte Anne and is located in Huez Village at 1450m. The church still offers services on the first Saturday of every month in the early evening. The church also organizes a special Saint Anne's Feast Day in July. The festival is organized by Huizats (the inhabitants of Huez, that's true) to honor the patron Saint of Huez. The festival includes painting stained glass, trout fishing, a meal in the countryside, a ball, a traditional costume parade, a boot fair, and a mass.
 |
| Church of Sainte Anne - the church on Alpe d'Huez. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer® |
 |
| Look at all the buildings on top of this green hill |
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| The top section of Alpe d'Huez. Photo from NBC Sports |
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| Map showing locations of sign, gradient,and mileage |
The climbs
The traditional approach is directly up the front side.
 |
| Looking down the climb to the town of Le Bourg-d'Oisans below. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer® |
Col de Sarenne is an optional small road down the back side (south side). The two roads adjoin at signpost #4. If climbing up, stay left for the traditional climb to the top, stay right for the road to the back way off the mountain, which winds along a small rough balcony road with dark tunnels and more climbing.
 |
| The climb up Col de Sarenne |
1st: 37' 35" Marco Pantani
Coppi had a time of 45m 22s in 1952
Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault each had times of 48m 0s in 1986
Laurent Fignon 41m 50s in 1989
Miguel Induráin 39m 28s in 1995
Sammy Sanchez had a time of 41m 21s in 2011
Nairo Quintana 39m 50s in 2013
STRAVA Records and Alpe d'Huez tdf - where the pros meet the amateurs
 |
| Strava Segment - Fastest times on Alpe'd'Huez |
You may officially record your time up Alpe d'Huez the old fashioned way - by purchasing a card from the Le Bourg-d'Oisans Tourisme Office in town, at the base of the climb, and punching your card in the machine near the #1 signpost at the top. The old cards are a fun souvenir.
 |
| Location of Office de Tourisme. This way through the town of Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez, or follow the signs. |
La Marmotte
Starting annually in Bourg D’Oisans, the famous amateur sportive of La Marmotte climbs the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, and Col du Galibier, before finishing up Alpe D’Huez. All in one day!
In July, 170 km and 5100 m height gain, 7500 participants, more information.
The approach
Nearest airport: Grenoble, 90 minutes (105km).
Nearest rail station: Grenoble
Bus line: AlpeHuezNet Buses
Lifts: 9 lifts open throughout the summer and a shuttle bus to the Auris resort
Drive time from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to the top: 30 minutes
Summer Lift Passes to Alpe d'Huez: AlpeHuezNet
The photo
 |
| Two cyclists in a large landscape: me and my brother Mike. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of PedalDancer® |
I have been very fortunate to have climbed Alpe d'Huez twice, the first time in 2003 during a stage of the Tour de France, and again in 2007 on a non-Tour day (ride report). Both were enjoyable but quite different. A Tour day on the climb is a mad-house, with space allowed for the riders to pass reduced to mere centimeters. A non-tour day allows for time to read the signs, take pictures and enjoy a cool drink at a cafe at the top.
Starting in Le Bourg-d'Oisans, the first two turns are a long steep and intimidating at 13%, but the grade lessons to 8%. Don't become discouraged at the bottom, it gets better. Descending is fabulous fun. Most striking is that the corners are flat and the straights are jarringly steep. This is the opposite of mountain road construction in the United States. It is a thrilling climb. Unless you are racing it for an official time, why rush.
- Climbing Alpe d'Huez By Pedal Dancer®
- "21 levels of hell", or 21 steps to heaven By Pedal Dancer®
- Pedal Dancer favorite climbs in the Rhone-Alpes (including Alpe d'Huez): link to google maps
Other ride reports and videos
- A day spectating on Alpe d’Huez at the Tour de France, By DC Rainmaker
- A Ride Up Alpe d’Hue, By Cycling Tips
- Alpe d'Huez, The Col Collective
- Alpe D'Huez - GCN's Epic Climbs By Global Cycling Network
- 21 levels of hell: L'Alpe d'Huez By Cycling News
- Cycling Alpe D’Huez - Cycling the Legend, By Cycling Ascents
- PEZ l’Alpe d’Huez Look Back! By Edmond Hood
- L’Alpe d’Huez: Clockwork d’Orange? By Edmond Hood
- What it's like to bike up Alpe d' Huez, By Phil Van Valkenberg
- Cycling Col de Sarenne — The B side of Alpe d'Huez (photos and ride report) steephill.tv
- Experience all 21 switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez By Bicycling
Stage 20 Tour de France 2015
For more information about Alpe d'Huez in the 2015 tour de France, please see the Stage Preview at the bottom of this post: Stage 19 TDF: Haven't we seen this before? & Stage 20 Preview.
And here it is - my favorite Laurens Ten Dam video of all time - on Alpe d'Huez in 2011:
Read more 2015 Tour de France Coverage by Pedal Dancer®
