Alpe d'Huez
Located on a fully south-facing plateau, Alpe d’Huez offers glorious sunshine all day and is know as ‘The Island in the Sunshine’ due to having an average of 300 sunny days per year.
The glacier in Alpe d’Huez reaches an altitude of 3300m. There are two access routes: via the Marmotte III funitel which will take you to 3060m or the Pic Blanc cable car which will take you to the very top at 3300m. From either of these two summits you will have truly breathtaking views across to Mont Blanc, Aiguilles d’Arves and La Meije.
See the beauty in Le Rateau, La Meije, La Muzelle, Les Aiguilles d’Arves, the Belledonne mountains and Mont Blanc; a landscape covering almost one fifth of France, from Italy to the Massif Central.
Thriving in sports such as cycling, walking, flying, horse riding, etc plus cultural and more chilled-out activities, Alpe d’Huez also has many important events each summer.
Alpe d’Huez is famous for its cycling, being the Mecca of the Tour de France! Its famous 21 hairpin bends (that you might have seen on TV or been there yourself) have been a regular finish stage since 1976. It’s a very popular route for recreational cyclists in the summer to try and tackle with it being one of a few areas worldwide where cycling is in the top spot for reasons to visit.
Aside from the famous Tour de France route, there are lots of other cycle routes for those wanting to get in their biking miles and experience breathtaking scenery. There are many famous ‘Col’ roads to take such as Col du Glandon.
Located only an hour from Grenoble, it is a convenient village to visit via plane or train.
Top summer activities to experience in Les Deux Alpes
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Here are some ideas of activities, however there is plenty more on offer!
Purchase a sport and culture pass! With Premium you have access to the outdoor swimming pool, water playground/skating rink, 30 activities at the Palais des Sports and the loan of equipment: (indoor pool, weight training, aquagym, badminton, squash, fitness classes, climbing, ping pong, mini golf, tennis lessons, team sports....) at the museum, Brandes outdoor tennis courts, soccer pitch, half-price tickets for concerts at Notre Dame des Neiges church, book loans at the library, €1 discount at Le Palais cinema (for children over 5) and resort shuttles.
Sport and Convention Centre
Open-air heated swimming pool,
Indoor swimming pool,
Outdoor ice rink (ice-skates can be rented from
shoe size 23 (from age 3+)
Indoor adventure course - In Vertigo: an adventure jungle-style gym where no harness are needed. Have a go at tightrope walking at 8m off the ground
Summer sledge on rails
On the slopes of Les Bergers. From 3 years old.
Street golf
The principle is simple: a single course for all consisting of 9 targets to be reached with as few shots as possible. The 3km course crosses the 5 districts of the resort. Benches, litter bins, signs, letterboxes, animal statuettes… The balls are semi-rigid, lighter and more compact, to avoid any inconvenience. On the other hand, the clubs do not change. We use three: the putter, the 7-iron and the wedges, depending on the terrain and the objective to be reached.
Kids land
Inflatable castles and trampolines. Trampoline accessible up to age 16.
Tennis
4 tennis courts, 2 padel courts, 2 covered tennis courts within the sports hall and 2 professional teachers. Tennis and padel for all ages and all levels.
Cinema
2 theatres, one of which is digitally equipped. Showings at 5pm and 8:30pm. No showings at weekend.
Yoga at Pic Blanc
Meet at an altitude of 3,330m, at the top of the Pic Blanc for a yoga session in the heart of the mountains. After the 45-minute session, enjoy a free hot drink at the Alpin café!
9:30am, departure of the DMC (cable car) to Pic Blanc.10:20am, yoga class on the terrace. 11:15, hot drinks offered then descent.
Hiking
Alpe d’Huez is an ideal for exploring exceptional panoramas, lakes, and prestigious peaks in the Massif des Grandes Rousses and the Écrins National Park. The resort offers 250km of marked routes, including several easy family walks. You can also use mountain guides to get the most out of your hiking and experiences the fauna and flora of the mountains in detail.
For example take a 10km walk around the lakes - Departure: 2100 m – Arrival: 2100 m – Length: 9.5km – Duration: 1h30. Round-trip walk towards Alpette, on a footpath passing by Besson Lake, Black Lake, Faucille Lake, Carrelet Lake.
Or fancy seeing the legendary Sarenne black run in summer? Departure: 1860 m – Arrival: 1775 m – Length: 13.5km – Duration: 4 hours. From the Altiport, take a 4×4 path towards the Col de Sarenne, as far as the Pont de Sarenne. View of the Signal de l’Homme and the Col de Cluy. Then follow Pont du Gua, then walk in the undergrowth along the Sarenne to Huez Village. Return to Alpe d’Huez by Huez Express.
The network of ski lifts allows you to vary the walks and hiking circuits.
Via Ferrata
A first approach to climbing, via ferratas are the «iron ways» originating in Italy and now widely developed in France. Plenty of routes on offer.
Climbing
Sports and Convention Centre has a climbing wall and bouldering room. The climbing wall is open to climbers aged 13 and over.
Mountain biking
Centre certified by the French Cycling Federation. A vertical drop of 2,610m from 3,330m (Pic Blanc) to 720m (Allemond). Try out one (or lots!) of the 333km of marked routes through 8 towns including Alpe d'Huez, Allemond, Auris, Bourg d'Oisans, Le Freney d'Oisans, Oz en Oisans, Vaujany et Villard-Reculas
For the brave, try the 30km of non-stop descent on the Megavalanche trail, the longest in the world! It starts on the snow of the glacier and then finishes in the green of the valley.
There are plenty of FFC-labeled itineraries: 27 cross-country and enduro trails (16 cross-country/181.7km and 15 enduro 116.4km) and 9 AE mountain bikes plus 16 DH trails 35.3km.
For those starting out in mountain biking, there is a green trail starting at 2,100m, passing the Club Med and finishing at Les Bergers.
For those wanting a bit of fun and excitement, try your hand (or bike!) at the flow trail on the Rif Nel: fun trail, smooth descent, easily accessible to all levels, with fun and technical zones along the way (wood and rock garden, boards, wooden trunk skinny, wooden waves, jumps of various levels, etc.). The starting point is at 1,800m and finishes at Les Bergers.
Finally, there are 16 VTTAE itineraries.
You will find Pump tracks at Alpe d'Huez, Oz en Oisans, Vaujany and Bourg d'Oisans.
Purchase a lift pass so you can easily manoeuvre the mountains on your bike!
E-Bikes are also available.
Cycling
Alpe d’Huez is famous for its cycling, being the Mecca of the Tour de France! Its famous 21 hairpin bends (that you might have seen on TV or been there yourself) have been a regular finish stage since 1976. It is a very popular route for recreational cyclists in the summer to try and tackle with it being one of a few areas worldwide where cycling is in the top spot for reasons to visit. For 2024, the Tour de France Femmes will finish stage 8 in Alpe d’Huez.
Aside from the famous Tour de France route, there are lots of other cycle routes for those wanting to get in their biking miles and experience breathtaking scenery. There are many famous ‘Col’ roads to take such as Col du Glandon.
The Oisans Col Series sees specific roads reserved for cyclists (roads closed to motor vehicles) every Tuesday morning in July and August. It's a dream opportunity for cyclists of all abilities to enjoy the amazing Oisans roads without any traffic or exhaust fumes! Many mountain passes are included in the program. You can do this free of charge and no registration is needed. Refreshments are offered at the top of each pass. This summer the program includes the following mountain passes: Col de la Croix de Fer and Glandon, Col du Solude, Col d'Ornon, Col de Sarenne, Col du Sabot, the climbs to Alpe d'Huez, Villard Reculas Oz-en-Oisans and Les 2 Alpes.
The famous 21 bend route
The start is at Bourg d’Oisans (717m) and finishes in Alpe d’Huez (1,860m). You can expect a 1,143m difference in height and the whole route, 21 bends and all, is 14km.
After a brief cycle on the straight roads of the Oisans valley, you will reach the foot of the famous ascent of Alpe d’Huez. After cycling for 10 minutes past the start line, you will reach the beginning of the ascent. Say goodbye to flat stretches for the foreseeable!
Starting from 737m, the first steep slope takes you to turn 21 at 806m and continues with a fearful climb up to turn 17 (at 965m). Once you’ve passed this bend, you can recover on the 200m gentle slope crossing the village of La Garde. At this point, the serious cyclist can get a boost and pick up a bit of speed, while others will struggle until turn 15 (at 1,025m) where the slope gets steeper… again! Turn 14 is marked with a monument dedicated to Joaquim Agostinho which will hopefully give you the strength to soldier on.
A gentle slope will take you to “Ribot d’en Bas” (below) after of which you’ll understand why next hamlet is called “Ribot d’en Haut” (on top). Going into Turn 12 at 1,161m, you’ll meet a string of bends - 11/10/9. Your arrival at Sainte-Ferréol (1,390m – cemetary of Huez) is where those that are struggling can quench their thirst! Next, it is onto the ascent of the village of Huez.
Then you are onto bends 5 to 2, nearly there! The climb to the resort ends with turn 1 at 1,713m. This part is very wide before you come to “Vieil Alpe” (the old village section of Alpe d’Huez), and pass through the tunnel.
Up by chalet “Le Camigane” you are cheered on by the red flame marking the last final km until the final segment. Just 300m left and you’ll have conquered the 21 mythical bends of Alpe d’Huez.
Other cycle routes to consider
Easy route: Oisans Plain and Lake Verney
This is an easy route at the gateway of Eau d’Olle Valley. Itinerary no. 2 of the “Cycling in Oisans” guide (Oisans Tourisme).
Depart from Bourg d’Oisans at 720m. This 35km route takes on average 1hr20.
Hard route: Climb up to Oz-en-Oisans
Take the gradual climb along the Eau d'Olle Valley up to Oz-Station with views over Lake Verney and Belledonne mountains. Itinerary no. 13 of the “Cycling in Oisans” guide (Oisans Tourisme).
Depart from Bourg d’Oisans at 720m. This 42km route takes on average 2hr20.
Very hard route: Col du Galibier
You first have to pass the Col du Lautaret in order to reach Le Galibier. Not for the faint-hearted! Itinerary no. 20 of the “Cycling in Oisans” guide (Oisans Tourisme).
Depart from Bourg d’Oisans at 720m. This 96km route takes on average 6hrs.
