Haute Route Alps
Riding Days
9
Number of Nights
8
Total Distance
814km
Total Climbing
19,500 metres
Difficulty
5 - Most difficult/5
At a Glance
The Haute Route Alps, the pinnacle of granfondo/sportive events. If you want to tick off your bucket list of Alpine climbs in one swoop then the Haute Route Alps has it all. You'll get to ride the climbs made famous by the Tour de France, plus a host of cols over 2,000 metres above sea level. The crown jewel in the Haute Route calendar gives you the rare opportunity to pin on a number and test yourself on many of the world’s most famous climbs as well as long, point-to-point stages.
No matter what your ability, whether you're a racer of a leisure rider, the Haute Route Alps is for you. If you just want to explore on the bike, then you get to do it in company, with the camaraderie of a new group of friends helping each other out and enjoying the moment cresting the big high mountains and taking in the exhilaration of the descents.
With big days in the saddle you'll need to rely on your support crew, with La Fuga you're in safe hands. We'll take care of all the logistics making sure you have the best accommodation at each stage finish so all you have to do is pedal. You can hand your bike to our professional mechanic the moment you cross the line safe in the knowledge it will be cleaned and prepped for the next day. Your legs will have the same treatment from the professional soigneurs and you'll be tucking into delicious food ready to fuel you for the following day.
Ride the Haute Route with La Fuga and enjoy an momentous experience.
Tour Highlights
Ride the ultimate challenge with the ultimate pro support. You’ll get our pro-level mechanics, soigneurs to bring legs back to life and experienced race leaders to brief you through each day in detail.
- Bikes washed and serviced each evening
- Best accommodation for each stage & speedy transfers
- Soigneurs to provide massages after each stage
- Detailed briefings each evening by our Director Sportive
- The best in event feedstations stocked with real food
Book Tour
€3,400.00 – €6,870.00
Overview
Haute Route Alps
THIS IS THE HIGHEST, TOUGHEST AND FOUNDING EVENT IN THE HAUTE ROUTE CYCLING SERIES.
The crown jewel in the Haute Route calendar gives you the rare opportunity to test yourself on many of the world’s most famous climbs in long, point-to-point stages. This is no ordinary race. This is the serious for passionate riders, boasting more then 800km of the best roads in the Alps. Get the inside line on the new 2025 course with full stage descriptions, maps and profiles, then join us on the road for the ride of your life.
The most iconic cycling mountain range
Starting in the heart of the Alps in Megève and finishing on the Mediterranean Sea in Nice, Haute Route Alps forges a path over iconic mountain passes, down thrilling descents, and through verdant valleys. This is your chance to ride from the sun-swept beaches of Nice to snow-capped mountains.
The Haute Route cycling events are ‘the highest and most chellenging cyclosportives in the world’. More demanding than any other week of riding you’ve done; averaging more than 800km over 7 days of consecutive riding, with 19,000m of climbing over many celebrated cols, the Haute Route will be thoroughly etched into your legs by the time you reach the finish.
In what will be an exciting week of riding through beautiful scenery, you will get a true appreciation for the battles and history that have been forged over the very same roads by legends of the sport.
La Fuga at the Haute Route
Open to a relatively small field of around 600 riders, the races promote a unique atmosphere of competition and camaraderie. With rider classifications and times posted on a daily basis, leaders jerseys, team prizes and a professional level of support the Haute Route is the closest experience amateur riders will have to a Grand Tour stage race. Whatever you aim for the Haute Route, it is the ultimate challenge for all riders who take their riding seriously and La Fuga will be providing comprehensive support packages to match.
At La Fuga we deliver an unparalleled Haute Route experience. Not only have we sourced the best accommodation for each stage but we will also provide swift transfers between starts and finishes; qualified mechanics and masseurs on hand; fresh riding kit every day; nutritional advice; exclusive refuel/kit drop zones during the race; route guidance and personalised ride strategy. Then at the end of each day, there’s always great company and delicious dinners. Ride to your limit every day and get looked after like the Yellow Jersey wearer at the Tour de France by travelling with La Fuga.
Our La Fuga feed stations will keep you going during the event. We’ll be there during the stage to provide you with support out on the course. You can hand us a bag for your personalised nutrition or additional clothing or any other items you may need during the ride. Our feed stations allow you to leave behind some of the energy products and tuck into some normal food, with sandwiches and savoury snacks as well as cold drinks and a host more, providing an ideal refuel during the event. Often these La Fuga Feed stations are located after the timing mat allowing you some time off the clock to sit down and refuel at a more leisurely pace.
At the Haute Route we aim to give our riders the closest experience to being in a professional cycle team as possible; bikes serviced before each stage, bottles ready, refilled and in your cages before the off, next stage briefings each evening, massages every evening if you choose. The devil is in the detail and our experienced staff will be on hand at every step of the journey. So all you need to do is ride, relax and escape, and we’ll take care of all the rest!
Haute Route Alps 2025 - Route map and profiles
This years route starts in Megève and heads south following the Route des Grandes Alpes to Nice. The route was opened as a tourist loop for early motor tourists to enjoy the high mountains and all the beautiful scenery. You’ll get to ride a similar route crossing many of the highest mountains of the Alps. You’ll take in two of the highest passes in Europe with the Col de l’Iseran and the Col d’Agnel The Col d’Agnel takes you for a brief jaunt into Italy where you can refuel on delighful pasta before heading to Nice.
This years route allow several consecutive nights in the same hotel, meaning that you get the sense of journey of travelling while you’re riding but also the comfort of not having to repack your bags every morning.
New for 2025 is two nights in Nice at the end where you will tackle the Time trial at the end of the race taking in the famous Col d’Eze, also used in the Paris Nice as a final time trial for many years. The route is explained in more details in each stage below.
Climate
Gearing
Details
What's Included
- 8 nights half board accommodation throughout
- Mostly 5* and 4* accommodation at the start and finish towns (some mountain areas may be lesser quality
- All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotels and restaurants*
- Airport transfers for you and your bike
- Dedicated on-the-road gazebo lunch stops with real food to get you through the stage
- Race transfers each day between start/finishes and hotels
- Comprehensive support from qualified mechanics - daily bike cleaning and servicing
- Experienced staff providing ride strategy, local knowledge and individual guidance
- Complimentary sports nutrition and drinks bottles
- Exclusive La Fuga support stations throughout race
- Complimentary set of La Fuga riding kit
- Laundry service for cycling clothing twice during the event
*Meals are included up to a specific budget after which a supplement will be applied
What's not Included
- Haute Route Event Entry - Available at checkout or HERE
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks with evening meals
- Incidental Expenses
- Tips / gratuities
- Bike Hire option available
- Massages every day from a La Fuga soigneur - package can be purchased separately during the shopping cart checkout for €560 - 7 massage package
- Bike Rental option available during the checkout
Itinerary
Your La Fuga guides will meet you at Geneva airport to collect you and transfer you to the hotel. Our expert mechanic will unpack your bike and give it a thorough check ahead of the event.
You’ll have some lunch before heading over to the event village to sign on, collect your numbers and your race pack and meet fellow competitors.
Your La Fuga guide will further brief you over dinner on important aspects such as the location of our private feed zones and run through any other important stage into. Then it’s early to bed, ready for the first stage.
Col de l’Epine (948m), Col de la Croix Fry (1 460m), Col des Aravis (1 486m)
FEEL LIKE A PRO
The big start of the Haute Route Alpes 2025 will be held in the very pretty ski resort of Megève. Offering green landscapes and breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc massif, you will evolve in a privileged setting where you will live an experience similar to that of a pro runner. The first pass on the menu is the Col de l’Epine, rising to just below 1000m. You’ll have a short descent before the rise to the peak of the Col de la Marais. All the time the roads are small and tranquil offering you an opportunity to find your climbing legs.
The big climb of the day is the Col de la Croix Fry which will see you settle into a rhythm for the 11km to the top. As you climb further up the mountain you’ll be treated to bigger and bigger views of the valleys below. After a short descent you’ll be on the most famous of the days climbs, the Col des Aravis. Culminating at 1486 meters above sea level it is the second most visited pass in the Alps by the Tour de France with more than 40 passages. Renowned for its calm roads and splendid viewpoints, you will appreciate this moment of tranquillity where you have completed almost all the climbing for the day save for the run up the valley back to Megève.
Col des Saisies (1 630m), Cormet de Roselend (1 968m), Tignes (2 092m)
THE LAKES
Stage Two of the 2025 Haute Route Alps is one you will not forget. The beauty and remote nature of the route over the Cormet de Roselend is something to be appreciated. Starting in Megève and ending at the lake in Tignes. The stage has a relatively short start with a downhill run to the bottom of the The Col des Saises. The climb is often tackled in the Tour de France early in a stage and is relatively easy.
You’ll then head through the town of Beaufort famous for it’s cheese, before taking in the beautifully majestic Cormet de Roselend with it’s lake perched close to the summit.
You’ll head descend to the town of Bourg Saint Maurice before heading up the Isère valley taking in spectacular views as you climb towards Tignes passing the Lac de Chevril which continue the climb of the Col de l’Iseran and turning to Tignes finishing just before the Lac de Tignes in the beautiful bowl surrounded by mountains which is Tignes.
Col de l’Iseran (2 764m), Col du Télégraphe (1 566m), Col du Galibier (2 642m)
THE QUEEN STAGE & THE HIGHEST PASS IN EUROPE
Todays stage will start in Tignes and end in the valley of Serre Chevalier, all eyes will be on the famous Col du Galibier. In fact the list of climbs today reads like a Tour de France stage, hence the designation as the Queen Stage.
First up is the Col de l’Iseran which is a tough challenge from the start line but thankfully the 20km is a very consistant and relatively low gradient. As you descent into the Maurienne valley you’ve got the most famous double climbs in cycling history. The Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier are a constant double header in Tour de France stages. The Col du Télégraphe is a baby in comparison to the Col du Galibier but don’t under estimate it. The real beauty and challenge is saved for last with the Galibier. At around 17km long the lower slopes can be taken easily until the second half opening up with impressive vistas and difficulty in equal measures. All that remains is a beautiful descent to the finish line in Serre Chevalier.
Col d’Izoard (2 360m)
Today presents some of the most amazing views and sceneries of the the event. The Col d’Izoard is called La Casse Déserte when approached from the southern slope which you tackle in this stage. The colour of the scree and the impressive orange rocky terrain form formidable scenery which you’ll be riding through you as conquer the Col d’Izoard. You’ll return back to the same hotel after the stage allowing some rest and relaxation in a relatively short stage.
Col d’Izoard (2 369m), Col d’Agnel (2 744m)
THE SHEP TRACK INTO ITALY
Stage 5 crosses the border into Italy. You’ll be heading over the climb you descended the previous day and the tackling the descent through La Casse Déserte before heading up to the mightly Col d’Agnel, Colle di Agnello in Italian. The road is a beautiful and remote track names after the sheep which probably created the track in the first place. It’s one of the highest passes in the alps and every year when the snow melts there is a party held at the top as the Italians and the French from either side of the mountain reunite after a long winter.
You’ll be able to enjoy probably one of the longest descents of your life at 55km before a few small hills and arriving in the finish town of Cuneo for a well earnt rest.
Col de la Lombarde (2 350m), Col de Saint Martin/La Colmiane (1 515m)
BACK TO FRANCE
The penultimate stage of the Haute Route Alps 2025 will set off from Cuneo in Italy and take you back across the border into France. The climb of the Col de la Lombarde is a serious challenge when tackled from Italy. The climbing starts right from Cuneo as you climb up the valley back towards the border. You’ll take a left and head to the 20km long slopes of the Col de la Lombarde. The road is beautiful and small taking you all the way to the summit where you’ll cross back into France and enjoy the 40km downhill to the Col de Saint Martin. You’ll take some beautiful roads as you head to Nice and celebrate almost the end of the event.
Col d’Eze (507m)
THE INDIVDUAL TIME TRIAL
All that remains is the race of truth. The Individual Time Trial replicating the end the Paris Nice which so often has finished with a time trial up the Col d’Eze. You’ll be able to test yourself against best times in the world or just ride the stage and enjoy the last effort of the event taking in the views overlooking the Mediterranean.
You’ll be able to enjoy a celebration meal tonight and let your hair down and relax your legs toasting an amazing week of riding across the Alps.
Your bike will be packed by our La Fuga mechanic and you’ll have the chance to relax and unwind with breakfast overlooking some beautiful mountains around that you ride the day before. Your legs will be tired but what an accomplishment having completed the Haute Route Alps.
We’ll run shuttles back to Nice airport in plenty of time to catch your flight.
Accommodation
Rental Bike Option
2025 Rental Bike – Basso Diamante di2 R8170 disc
Haute Route Alps
