Sportive Breaks

Alpe d'Huez Tour Experience
- Self-Guided

Spend 6 nights in Alpe d’Huez at a self-catered residence. Explore the area and witness the two Alpe d’Huez stages

Alpe d'Huez logo image
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Tour Dates

Monday 20 July - Sunday 26 July

Cycling and Spectating

PRICE PER PERSON

From £599pp

Key Features

Self-Guided 2026 Alpe d'Huez Experience
with Sportive Breaks

Please note that this trip is for the independent traveller. You will look after your own rides and there is no staff support or meals included. If you prefer a fully supported tour then check out our Alpe d’Huez Tour Experience.

Stay in L’Alpe d’Huez at the most desirable time of the year for a cyclist. You will be in the centre of all the action for the final three mountain stages in the Alps. Arrive on Monday 20 July directly after the Sportive Breaks 2026 Etape du Tour de France weekend. The Etape du Tour allows amateur riders to ride Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France on closed roads under race conditions just like the riders of the peloton days later.

Enjoy two days of self-guided rides on Tuesday and Wednesday where you will explore this fabulous cycling mecca by bike. Your location in Alpe d’Huez allows you access to great climbs such as the Col du Galibier, Alpe d’Huez, Col de Sarenne and many more. Bear in mind that what goes down must come up again though at the end of the day! On Thursday you can see Stage 18 mid-stage on the route if you drive part of the way and on Friday and Saturday Alpe d’Huez features with two back to back stage finishes. You cannot be in a better location.

Stay six nights at residence L’Ours Blanc on a self-catering basis, giving you complete freedom on how to spend your days and nights. Bike rental and airport transfers from Geneva Airport are also available.

What's Included?

Accommodation

Well-located residence in Alpe d’Huez

Self Catering

Self-Guided

Bike Rental

Available for the duration of your tour with Sportive Breaks. Available at a supplement

Airport Transfers

Airport Transfers available at a supplement

LIVE Stage viewing

On Stages 18, 19 and 20 includes the two Alpe d’Huez stages

Prices

Residence Pierre et Vacances Ours Blanc

  • From £599 per person based on two people sharing a one bedroom apartment
  • From £929 per person based on single occupancy of a studio

What’s included:

  • 6 nights at residence P&V Ours Blanc in Alpe d’Huez
  • Bed linen and towels
  • Beds made on arrival
  • One mid-stay cleaning
  • Hotel taxes
  • Choice of room options Studio, One-Bedroom apartment, South facing One-bedroom apartment

Also available at additional cost:

  • Group airport transfers to Geneva Airport at set times on Sunday – More info
  • Private airport transfers on request – please contact [email protected]
  • Bike rental options include Trek Modane SL from £550 for the week

Airport Transfers

We offer group transfers from Geneva Airport at set times. Many of our clients will not require airport transfers on arrival as they are already staying in the area after the Etape du Tour. We therefore only offer group airport transfers on return on Sunday. If you require a private transfer, please contact us to book. 

Extend your stay

Join us the weekend before this tour on our 2026 Etape du Tour de France weekend. Ride Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France on closed roads supported by Sportive Breaks – Click here to find out more. 

Itinerary - 2026 Alpe d'Huez Week - Self-Guided

Day One - Bienvenue a L'Alpe d'Huez

Date

Monday 20 July 2026

Location

Bourg d’Oisans
Mile marker sign on the Alpe d'Huez stages of the Tour de France
A Sportive Breaks mechanic assists riders during the Alpe d'Huez cycling trip

If you were with us for our Etape du Tour weekend we will help transport you to the Residence l’Ours Blanc. If you wish to join us today then please contact us for options for private airport transfers from Geneva Airport.

Rental bikes will also be available from today and our mechanic will be on hand to help if needed.

Residence Ours Blanc is located in the centre of Alpe d’Huez. Your stay is on a self catering basis meaning that you will look after your own meals for the week.

If you were staying in another hotel in Alpe d’Huez with us or in Bourg d’Oisans we will help you move.

Daily Highlights

Day Two - Ride the Romanche Valley

Date

Tuesday 21 July 2026

Location

Alpe d’Huez
A Sportive Breaks rider leads a self-guided road cycling holidays

This morning after breakfast and final preparations of your bike, we suggest you do a ride in the the valley. Bourg d’Oisans is located in the Romanche Valley on the road connecting Grenoble to the Southern Alps. The valley location allows you to ride on the flat roads in the valley.

We expect many will be taking it easy after their herculean effort on Sunday during the Etape du Tour. More strenuous efforts are available for those who want to push themselves on one of the nearby climbs.

The pros will be riding a time trial in Thonon les Bains so you can be back at the residence in time to watch this.

Daily Highlights

Ride suggestion

Easy flat ride in the Romanche valley

Meals

No meals included

Day Three - Ride Alpe d'Huez

Date

Wednesday 22 July 2026

Location

Alpe d’Huez
Some of the stunning views on the Mont Ventoux Tour de France tour

After breakfast get ready for the big one. Descend the Col de Sarenne and ride the 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez or extend your ride and head over to nearby Les 2 Alpes first for some lunch before tackling the climb after lunch. After a short warm-up in the valley tackle the 21 hairpin bends. Stage 17 which is a sprint stage between Chambery and Voiron near Grenoble will be shown on TV.

Daily Highlights

Ride suggestion

Ride Alpe d’Huez loop

Meals

No meals included

Day Four - Stage 18 - Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette

Date

Thursday 23 July 2026

Location

Alpe d’Huez
Riders battle up the hill of Alpe d'Huez during an Alpe d'Huez cycling stage

The Tour is coming into range today with a stage between Voiron near Grenoble and Orciere-Merlette close to Gap in the Southern Alps. If you have transport it is possible to intercept the stage and watch it by the road side near the village of Corps. Alternatively stay more local and watch the stage on TV in the afternoon.

Daily Highlights

Ride suggestion

Self-supported ride to watch LIVE action

Meals

No meals included

Day Five - Stage 19 - Gap to Alpe d'Huez

Date

Friday 24 July 2026

Location

Alpe d’Huez
Dutch Corner on the Alpe d'Huez climb.

The entire area will be absolutely buzzing with activity today. It will be extremely busy everywhere and the roads up to the climb will close early. People park their camper vans up to a week before to get a good spot.

Today’s stage starts in Gap in the southern Alps and finishes on the famous 21 hairpin bends of Alpe d’Huez. From your location in Alpe d’Huez it is just a short walk to the bends. Depending on how far you want to walk you can find a great vantage point today to watch the stage from the road side. Make sure to bring plenty of food and drink as you may be stuck in your location for a while.

Daily Highlights

Ride suggestion

Self-supported ride first thing or no riding today as it’s very busy

Meals

No meals included 

Day Six - Bourg d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez

Date

Saturday 25 July 2026

Location

Alpe d’Huez
Professional riders tackling the Mont Ventoux Tour de France stage

You are in the finish town again today. This is an incredible experience to see the race close up. Just like yesterday, the whole town will be extremely busy as it is THE place to be. If you are planning to eat out please reserve in advance. This time the riders will come up via the Col de Sarenne.

Daily Highlights

Ride suggestion

Self-Guided Ride

Meals

No meals included

Day Seven

Date

Sunday 26 July 2026

Location

Alpe d’Huez
Our amateur cyclists getting ready to tackle the Mont Ventoux Tour de France tour

Departure day – transfer to Geneva Airport – or to the TGV station to get the train to Paris if you want to see more of the Tour and the final stage on the Champs Elysees. Contact us for information about private transfers to other destinations.

Daily Highlights

Ride

No ride today

Meals

No meals included

The Final Week in the Alps

The final week in the Alps culminates with three mountain stages. Stage 18 on Thursday sees a high-altitude Alpine finish at Orcières-Merlette near Gap. From our base in Le Bourg d’Oisans we will be in reach of the stage. Stage 19 on Friday is a 128km stage from Gap to Alpe d’Huez using its traditional ascent. This is the first of a double ascent of Alpe d’Huez, a Tour rarity last seen in 1979. Stage 20 takes place between Le Bourg d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez allowing us to see the start and the finish climb. Climbs included are Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier and the Col de Sarenne before the final ascent.

On Sunday we will offer you the option to go to Paris for one night and see the final stage on the Champs Elysees.

Stage 18 – Thursday July 23: Mountain Stage Voiron to Orcières-Merlette

The first of the Alpine tests, ending with a summit finish at Orcières-Merlette near Gap. A historic climb, it will set the tone for the GC battle and will start to reveal who has the legs for the final showdown.

Stage 19 – Friday July 24: Gap to Alpe d’Huez via Col d’Ornon

A short but intense stage featuring the Col d’Ornon and the iconic Alpe d’Huez. The 21 hairpin bends will be a battleground for climbers and a spectacle for fans.

Stage 20 – Saturday July 25: Queen Stage with 5,600m Elevation Gain

The most brutal stage of the race and also the stage chosen to be the 2026 Etape du Tour on Sunday 19 July. Riders face the Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier and a final ascent via Col de Sarenne to Alpe d’Huez. This stage will be decisive for the general classification.

Stage 21 – Sunday, July 26: Paris Finale with Montmartre Climbs

Instead of the traditional Champs-Élysées sprint, the finale features three ascents of Rue Lepic in Montmartre. The cobbled climb adds drama and flair, with the race concluding beneath the Arc de Triomphe.

If you have any questions, please do contact our team [email protected]

Your Experience
Price From
Date
Availability
Self Guided Alpe d’Huez Tour Experience 2026
From
£599.00
Date 20th Jul 26

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We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.

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