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The great cols of the Oisans — photo

The great cols of the Oisans

285 km 2 days ~7 h 14 min on the road From Grenoble

A two-day loop through the Oisans: Alpe d'Huez, Col de and an overnight in Auris (Auberge de la Forêt), then the grand tour of the Lautaret, Galibier and Télégraphe, returning via the Croix de Fer and the Glandon. Legendary cols only — and never the same road twice.

🏡 Partner stop: Auberge de la Forêt (Auris-en-Oisans). A prime stopover to park the bike and spend the night — envie2rouler arranges a dedicated welcome for its customers there.

Route map

Base map © IGN · Géoplateforme. Indicative route — check that the passes are open before you set off.

↓ Download the GPX track Book the bike for this road trip →

The route, step by step

Day 1Grenoble to Auris-en-Oisans82 kmapprox. 1 h 40
  • Agence envie2rouler — Grenoble (Sassenage)start
  • Bourg-d’Oisans+51 km
  • L’Alpe d’Huez+15 km
  • Auris-en-Oisans — Auberge de la Forêt (overnight)+6 km

What to see on the way

  • Le Bourg-d'Oisans: capital of Alpine cycling, the last big fuel stop before the passes, and its museum of Alpine minerals and wildlife.
  • Alpe d'Huez: the 21 numbered hairpins, each named after a Tour de France stage winner.
  • The descent from Alpe d'Huez on the D211, part of the twenty-one hairpins in reverse, before climbing back to Auris on the D211a, a balcony road above the Romanche.
  • The Auris balcony road: a corniche above the Romanche valley, facing the Grandes Rousses massif.
Day 2Auris-en-Oisans to Grenoble203 kmapprox. 5 h 09
  • Col du Lautaret+36 km
  • Col du Galibier+8 km
  • Valloire+18 km
  • Col du Télégraphe+5 km
  • Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne+27 km
  • Col de la Croix de Fer+31 km
  • Col du Glandon+6 km
  • Agence envie2rouler — Grenoble (Sassenage)+74 km

What to see on the way

  • The Col du Lautaret (2,058 m): its alpine botanical garden, one of the richest in Europe, facing the south side of La Meije.
  • The Col du Galibier (2,642 m): the monument to Henri Desgrange, founder of the Tour de France, just below the summit.
  • Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne: cathedral and Opinel museum, the last town before the climb back to the Croix de Fer.

Photo stops not to miss

Twelve stops scouted along the 285 km, including five passes above 1,500 metres.

Day 1 · Grenoble to Auris-en-Oisans
1
The first hairpin of Alpe d'HuezNumbered sign 21 on the way out of Le Bourg-d'Oisans: the countdown starts there, and every bend carries a stage winner's name.
2
Bend 7, known as Dutch CornerHalfway up, the best known hairpin of the climb, with the Bourg-d'Oisans valley dropping away behind.
3
The top of Alpe d'HuezThe resort at 1,850 m, facing the Grandes Rousses massif, with the Tour de France finish line.
4
The Col de The D211a balcony road to AurisThe small pass that tips you over towards Auris, on the road that first skirts the Sarenne valley. Pasture, silence, nothing built.
5
The Auris balconyA corniche above the Romanche valley. Late in the afternoon the low light catches the Grandes Rousses opposite.
Day 2 · Auris-en-Oisans to Grenoble
6
The Col du Lautaret, 2,058 mThe alpine botanical garden and the south face of La Meije, right opposite.
7
The Galibier hairpinsHalfway up, looking back: eight kilometres of open bends and the Lautaret far below.
8
The Col du Galibier, 2,642 mThe altitude sign and the Henri Desgrange monument. The high point of the weekend.
9
The descent to ValloireOne of the open hairpins, with the village at the bottom of the valley and the Télégraphe beyond.
10
The Col du Télégraphe, 1,566 mThe 19th-century fort and the gap onto the Maurienne, in the shade of the pines.
11
The Col de la Croix de Fer, 2,067 mThe wrought-iron cross and, opposite, the three spires of the Aiguilles d'Arves. The signature shot of the trip.
12
The Col du Glandon, 1,924 mBarely two kilometres from the Croix de Fer, a completely different setting, greener and more enclosed. Two passes for the price of one.

What you will see along the way

The 21 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez

The most famous climb in world cycling rides beautifully on a motorbike: 21 numbered hairpins, each named after a stage winner, and a constant balcony over the Romanche valley. From Le Bourg-d'Oisans you gain more than 1,000 m of height in fourteen kilometres, with the panorama opening at every bend.

The Galibier, 2,642 metres

Day two opens with the Col du Lautaret (2,058 m), then tips over the Galibier and its 2,642 metres: the highest point of the loop, a wholly mineral landscape and one of the most legendary passes of the Tour de France. The summit road usually opens only in June and closes in mid-October, which makes this trip a fine-weather exclusive.

Télégraphe, Maurienne, Croix de Fer and Glandon

The Galibier descent runs on to Valloire, the Col du Télégraphe (1,566 m) and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, then climbs back to the Col de la Croix de Fer (2,067 m) and the Col du Glandon (1,924 m), two summits barely two kilometres apart. Five passes above 1,500 m in a single day, without ever riding the same road twice.

A partner stop at Auris-en-Oisans

The night is spent at the Auberge de la Forêt in Auris-en-Oisans, our partner stop, on the balcony above the Romanche. Setting off next morning at 1,600 m means starting the big day with the Lautaret already within reach.

Good to know before you go

Frequently asked questions

When is the Col du Galibier open?

The pass road is closed in winter, in principle from the first Monday of November to the last Friday of May. The tunnel usually reopens in late May and the summit road in early June, through to mid or late October depending on snow.

Can this trip be ridden on an A2 licence?

Yes. Most of our bikes are available in A2, restricted to 35 kW. The Oisans passes call for alertness and anticipation rather than power.

Do I need special gear at altitude?

Yes. At 2,642 m on the Galibier the temperature drops sharply and the weather turns fast. A warm windproof jacket, suitable gloves and rain gear are essential, even in bright sunshine down in the valley.

Is accommodation included in the hire?

No, the night is booked directly with the Auberge de la Forêt at Auris-en-Oisans, our partner stop. The motorbike and the accommodation are two separate bookings.

Ready to ride?

Our Triumph and BMW bikes (A2 and A licence) are prepped, insured and serviced. Book online, self-service pick-up 24/7 in Grenoble.

Check availability →

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