The 21 hairpin bends
Activities
A short ride from Le Cosy Lodge, the road of the 21 hairpin bends climbs from Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez: 13.8 km at an average gradient of 7.9%, around 1,100 m of climbing, and every bend bears the name of a Tour de France stage winner. You start outside the Bourg-d'Oisans tourist office, tackle the steepest first few kilometres, then head for the official finish line at the top of the resort. A classic to ride at least once, at your own pace, on a road bike or an e-bike.
- Summer
- Open access, recommended route daily from 1 May to 15 November (depending on snow and weather).
- Winter
- Closed in winter · reopens in May
- Prices
- Free. Climb certificate €1 (a token sum, donated to charity). Road bikes and e-bikes can be hired in Le Bourg-d'Oisans.
- Duration
- 1 to 2 hours to the top depending on your level (around 2 hours there and back for a trained cyclist). Record: Tadej Pogačar 35'26'' (2026 Tour), who beat Marco Pantani's mark from the 1990s.
No booking, open access. To make your time official: climb certificate issued by Alpe d'Huez Tourisme (tourist office, Place Joseph Paganon, 38750 Alpe d'Huez, +33 4 76 11 44 44), with €1 donated to Pédiatres du Monde, from May to September.
Start outside the Bourg-d'Oisans tourist office, 38520 Le Bourg-d'Oisans, then take the D211 towards Alpe d'Huez
Set off early in the morning (cooler air, fewer cars), save your legs on the first 3 kilometres at 10-12%, take two bottles as there's no guaranteed water point before the village of Huez, and note that the road is closed to cyclists on days when the Tour de France finishes there.