Where is Alpe d'Huez?
France, europe
13.8 km
1,859 m
hard
Year-round
Alpe d’Huez: the legendary Tour de France climb! You'll find this ski resort nestled in the French Alps, in the Isère département. We're talking a lofty 1,860m (6,100ft) above sea level, right in the heart of the Oisans region's Romanche valley.
The D211, the road to the top, is all smooth asphalt, open year-round (though snow might close it temporarily in winter). In summer, get ready to share the road with tons of cyclists – it's a seriously popular climb!
Why all the hype? Well, the road throws some seriously steep sections at you, hitting a maximum gradient of 13% in places. Alpe d'Huez is known as 'l'Isle du Soleil' (The Island of the Sun), but don't let the name fool you, this climb is relentless!
Starting in Le Bourg d'Oisans, the ascent is a beastly 13.8 km (8.6 mi) long, with an average gradient of 8.1%. The views are fantastic, and once you get to the Alpe d'Huez ski resort at the top, you’ll know you've accomplished something special. And, each of the 21 hairpin bends is named after a Tour de France stage winner, a cool tribute to cycling history!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,859 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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