Crossing the Alps by bike: Itineraries, history & legends

The Great Crossing of the Alps is a real adventure that takes you to discover magnificent landscapes, mythical passes and a rich history through authentic territories.

Among the legendary itineraries that France has to offer, the Route des Grandes Alpes® by bike stands out as one of the most emblematic routes for all fans of the Little Queen.

In this article, dive with us into the history of this itinerary, discover the great passes, villages and mountains that line it, explore some of its variants and learn more about the legends and records that have marked its history.

History and background of The Grande Traversée des Alpes by bike

To get to know this mythical bike trail well, let's take a look at its origin and its very particular journey.

A century-old itinerary

The Great Crossing of the Alps by bike, also known as the GTA, has a fascinating history that dates back several decades. It was created thanks to the pioneers of cycling tourism, members of the Touring Club de France, who dreamed of exploring the majestic peaks of the French Alps. Initially, it was an association of bicycle tourists, and then more generally the development of tourism in France, which in its best years had more than 700,000 members. It was officially in 1909 that the “Route des Alpes” (renamed in 1950 “Route des Grandes Alpes”) was created. In the words of Léon Auscher, vice president of the Touring Club de France, it will be “the most beautiful mountain road in the world”. Since its creation, this itinerary has attracted cyclists (but also motorists and motorcyclists) from all over the world, eager to live an unforgettable experience in the heart of this wonderful Alpine nature.

Great mythical passes

One of the highlights of the Grande Traversée des Alpes is the series of legendary passes that cyclists have the opportunity to cross. On the main itinerary and the variants, there are more than thirty. The Col du Galibier, the Col d'Izoard and the Col de l'Iseran are the most mythical, but all of these passes are names that make the heart of every cycling enthusiast vibrate. These passes offer unique challenges and breathtaking views, making each climb an adventure in itself.

Below are listed all the passes on the classical route and the variants:

Why not try to climb them one by one with pedals and a few drops of sweat to observe the magnificent panoramas they have to offer? With the Grande Traversée des Alpes by bike, you can't get bored or tired of it, thanks to the multiple possibilities that its various routes offer us.

Contrasting landscapes

Crossing the Alps by bike offers a breathtaking journey through a mosaic of varied and captivating landscapes. Whether you're pedaling through the Northern Alps or the Southern Alps, each stage reveals enchanting vistas that transport you to beautiful contrasting landscapes.

In the Northern Alps, majestic passes such as that of Colombière in the Aravis massif stand in front of you, surrounded by peaks covered by forests. Winding roads guide you through green valleys, where tumultuous rivers descend from heights creating picturesque waterfalls. The villages crossed, such as that of Le Reposoir during the ascent of the Colombière, bear witness to traditional Alpine architecture, with their wooden chalets decorated with flowery balconies. Each turn reveals a stunning new view, while the pure mountain air continues to fill your lungs (which really need it given the slopes 🥵).

To leave the Tarentaise Valley and switch to that of Maurienne, the climb of Iseran, the highest road pass in Europe, perched at 2,770m, awaits you. It is the culmination of your journey (excluding Cime de la Bonette), you are welcomed by a magnificent panorama of the sparkling glaciers of Maurienne. The climb itself is an impressive experience, with endless switchbacks that take you ever higher into this epic Alpine landscape.

Afterwards, when you venture into the Southern Alps, a whole different world opens up to you. The Izoard Pass, with its lunar landscape of red rocks and striking geological formations, is an unforgettable stop. The arid and bare peaks contrast with the greenery of the Northern Alps, creating an almost unreal atmosphere. The wind is blowing hard through the passes, adding a wild dimension to your trip.

As you cross the Alps by bike, you will discover not only the diversity of the landscapes, but also the changing soul of these majestic mountains. Each pedal stroke is an immersion in a new world, a visual and sensory adventure through different territories, which will remain etched in your memory.

Variants and detours

The GTA also offers several variants and detours, allowing cyclists to personalize their itinerary according to their preferences and level of practice, but also to rediscover this crossing by other roads and passes. Fans of VTC, a rather leisure bike, or less experienced cyclists, can opt for less steep and lower roads and passes, with Little Routes of the Sun, a more accessible itinerary by going further to the West, through the Prealps and less steep but just as pleasant mountains, such as the Chartreuse or the Vercors.

Among these variants, the one between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Briançon, which allows you to climb the mythical climb of Alpe d'Huez and its 21 turns, must be done at least once. Just like the wild and very pleasant variant between Barcelonette and St Martin de Vésubie, passing through Valberg, a charming resort in the high country of Nice, which allows us to put our wheels on a superb road through the Mercantour National Park.

Preserved towns, villages and terroirs

Between the shores of Lake Geneva in Thonon-les-Bains and the Mediterranean waves at menton, you will cross mountains, charming towns and villages steeped in history, each with a unique and unforgettable character.

On the first day of your crossing, you will be able to discover Le Grand-Bornand, in the heart of the Aravis mountains. A typical Savoyard village with its superb church, which lives in summer and winter with its ski resort, its hikes, the regular passages of the Tour de France and its land, being the cradle of the famous farmer's Reblochon, which appeared here in the 13th century, which appeared here in the 13th century, a delight for the taste buds!

After the Aravis, the Beaufortain massif will open its arms to you, and it is the town ofArêches-Beaufort which will await you before climbing a few teeth (🚲) and setting off on the magnificent climb of Cormet de Roselend. This village is also known for its ski resort, its magnificent playground for ski touring developed here very early on and its famous cheese, one of the favorites of the French, Beaufort. 😋

Then, you will discover the Tarentaise Valley by going through Bourg-Saint-Maurice known for its winter sports resort, Les Arcs, before joining Val d'Isère in the ascent of the Iseran, also known for its large ski area coupled with that of Tignes. At the bottom of the Iseran descent and before descending the long Maurienne valley, you can stop in the small village of Bonneval-sur-Arc, one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its typical stone houses with slate roofs, to withstand the harsh winters.

After the Col du Télégraphe, it is the town of Valloire that you will cross on your pretty mount, before climbing the Galibier, one of the most mythical passes (And the prettiest! It's our favorite at Belle Allure 😍). It is a pretty little village that has become a winter and summer sports resort, which offers a superb playground.

To rest your legs after Galibier, it will be a long, rapid descent in the direction of Briançon who will be waiting for you. This large city at an altitude of 1,326m is recognizable with its Vauban fortifications, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After climbing the grandiose Col d'Izoard, you may cross at a brisk pace (unless the smell of the famous Bleu du Queyras attracts you... 🧀), the small village ofArvieux, in the Queyras Massif, before sneaking into the impressive Gorges du Guil.

Once you have conquered the Col de Vars, the Col de la Bonette and the Col de la Colmiane, you will have the right to move on to Saint Martin of Vesubia, a very pleasant village, nicknamed the “Switzerland of Nice” for its calm and its environment. It is one of the entrances to the Mercantour Massif. Unfortunately, it was deeply marked by the serious floods of October 2020.

Finally, before you can throw yourself into the sea, you will have to climb the Col de Turini and go through Sospel, a very pretty village on the banks of the Bévéra, which smells of the south, with its famous fortified old bridge and its authentic medieval village. Leaving this village, it's the climb to the Col de Castillon that awaits you, it will be your last pedal strokes as a dancer, before joining and ending this unforgettable Grande Traversée des Alpes, on the edge of the warm beach. 🌅

The Route des Grandes Alpes® by bike: The theater of legends and exploits

Legends and stories

Each turn in the GTA tells a story, each summit evokes a legend. Stories of cyclists who have traveled these roads, overcame adversities, and experienced unforgettable moments abound. These stories contribute to the magic of the Great Crossing of the Alps by bike and inspire new generations of enthusiasts.

We can go back to the past and relive the heroic abandonment of Louison Bobet, 3 times winner of the Tour de France, world champion in 1954 and winner of Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San-Remo, the Tour of Lombardy, the Tour of Lombardy and the Tour of Flanders among others.

It is July 14, 1959, and it is a difficult Tour for Bobet who is entering his final years as a cyclist. He had already been let go a few days earlier in the Massif Central by losing more than 20 minutes on the leaders. This national holiday, the runners go from the Col du Lautaret to Aosta in Italy. Louison Bobet was quickly distanced, and shortly after the summit of the Col de l'Iseran, he gave up on the descent away from the crowd and the journalists, humbly. His friend Gino Bartoli, who was following the Tour for an Italian newspaper, came to greet him. Bobet puts on a raincoat and discreetly sinks into his car. It will be his last appearance in the Tour de France, after 10 participations and 3 victories.

The Alps and the Tour de France

The routes of the Grande Traversée des Alpes were also the site of many prestigious cycling events. These magnificent alpine routes have been the scene of fierce clashes and memorable feats. In particular during many legendary stages of the Tour de France. For example, we can remember the superb victory of Andy Shleck at the top of the Col du Galibier after an attack 60km from the finish in the Col d'Izoard, in 2011, with Thomas Voeckler who heroically saved his yellow jersey for only 15 seconds ahead of Andy Schleck, behind the infernal train led by the winner of the same year's Tour, Cadel Evans. 🏆

More recently, on July 14, 2022, we were able to witness the fantastic descent of Galibier by Tom Pidcock who then won solo at the summit of Alpe-d'Huez.

You can (re) experience this fabulous descent, a real lesson in fluidity thanks to a perfect technique and a very good confidence in him.

Records and achievements

Over the years, the Grande Traversée des Alpes by bike has been the scene of numerous records and achievements. From professional cyclists to enthusiasts looking for personal challenges, everyone tried to push their limits on this mythical road. Speed records, the fastest climbs and the long distances covered are all achievements that have marked the history of GTA.

The Record of the Route des Grandes Alpes by bike, in total autonomy, from Thonon-les-Bains to Nice was built in September 2024 by Thibaut Clément. He covered the 758 kilometers and 17,541 meters of D+ between Thonon-les-Bains and Nice in only 38 hours (including 34h43 of effort). A real achievement 👏🏻

The Great Crossing of the Alps by bike, in figures

For those who like stats, here are some key figures for GTA (classic itinerary):

• 758 kilometers.
• 18 collars
• 17,500 meters of positive altitude difference

Finally, the Grande Traversée des Alpes by bike is much more than a simple cycling itinerary. It is an experience that will forever mark those who dare to venture on its roads. Whether you are an experienced cyclist looking for challenges or a bike lover looking for adventure, the GTA offers you an unforgettable adventure through one of the most magnificent regions of France.

Experience the Grande Traversée des Alpes by bike in peace and quiet, it's possible with Belle Allure!

Our team of enthusiasts and experts in the Alps invites you to organize your Grande Traversée des Alpes so that you can only think about driving, enjoying, tasting local specialties and immersing yourself in these unique territories.

Feel free to throw a 👀 at our Grande Traversée des Alpes by bike to find out more about our organized trips in freedom or in a group with a vehicle and a logistician for unfailing assistance on this GTA.

We can also adapt and build you a 100% tailor-made stay, just like you.

With Belle Allure, you will have an exceptional cycling experience, discovering the magic of the Grande Traversée des Alpes by bike without stress.