Alpe d'Huez is a mythical climb with 21 hairpin turns
France, europe
13.8 km
1,859 m
hard
Year-round
# Alpe d'Huez: The Cycling Pilgrimage
Alpe d'Huez isn't just a climb—it's a rite of passage for cyclists. Nestled in the southeastern French Alps within the Oisans region of Isère, this legendary ski resort sits at 1,860m and has become synonymous with Tour de France glory since its debut in 1952.
The ride itself kicks off from Le Bourg d'Oisans and stretches 13.8 km of perfectly paved road (the D211) with an average gradient of 8.1%. Sounds reasonable, right? Well, hold on—those sneaky 13% ramps throughout will humble you real quick. This climb isn't the longest or steepest in the Alps, but it's relentlessly punishing in the best possible way.
What makes Alpe d'Huez truly special are its 21 iconic hairpin bends, each one named after a Tour de France stage winner who claimed their moment of glory here. It's like riding through cycling history itself. The road stays open year-round, though winter weather occasionally forces brief closures. Come summer, you'll be sharing the asphalt with around 1,000 other riders daily—a testament to this climb's magnetic pull.
The views? Spectacular. The ski resort facilities at the summit? Top-notch. And here's the cherry on top: between May and September, you can earn an official diploma for conquering the Alpe (on two wheels or two feet) for just €1, with proceeds going to charity.
Known as "L'Isle du Soleil" (The Island of the Sun), this is the climb every cyclist dreams about. Ready to join the legend?
Where is it?
Alpe d'Huez is a mythical climb with 21 hairpin turns is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.8001, 3.6946
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,859 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 44.8001, 3.6946
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