Alpe d’Huez is cycling mythology carved into mountainside. Twenty-one switchbacks, each named after a Tour de France winner. 13.8 kilometers of steady climbing at 8.1% average gradient. And enough history and atmosphere to give even seasoned climbers goosebumps.
Why “The Dutch Mountain”
Since Hennie Kuiper’s 1977 Tour de France stage win here, Alpe d’Huez has been adopted by Dutch cycling fans. On summer days—especially during the Tour—tens of thousands of orange-clad supporters line the route, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in cycling. The climb has become as much about culture as suffering.
The Route
Start: Bourg d’Oisans (720m altitude) Finish: Alpe d’Huez village (1,860m) Distance: 13.8 km Elevation gain: 1,140m Average gradient: 8.1% Maximum gradient: 13% (hairpin 7)
The stats don’t look extraordinary compared to other alpine climbs—it’s relatively short, and 8.1% is challenging but not extreme. What makes Alpe d’Huez special is the consistency: the gradient rarely varies much from that 8% average, creating steady, relentless effort.
The 21 Hairpins
Each hairpin (counting from the bottom up) is named after a Tour de France stage winner at Alpe d’Huez:
1-5: The Opening: Coppel, Van Impe, Kuiper, Zoetemelk, Hinault Gradient: 8-9% You’re fresh, finding your rhythm, possibly surrounded by other cyclists. Don’t go too hard—you have 13 more kilometers.
6-10: The Reality Check: LeMond, Fignon, Delgado, Theunisse, Rooks Gradient: 8-10%, with hairpin 7 hitting 13% The fun wears off. Your breathing deepens. Hairpin 7 (Fignon) is the steepest section—respect it.
11-15: The Middle: Bugno, Indurain, Rominger, Pantani, Ullrich Gradient: 7-9% The gradient eases slightly. You pass through La Garde village around hairpin 14. Some riders find this the easiest section; others are fatiguing and find it harder mentally.
16-20: The Final Push: Hamilton, Armstrong, Rasmussen, Contador, Pinot Gradient: 7-8% You can see the village above. So close, yet still several hard kilometers away. This is where mental strength matters most.
21: The Last: Alaphilippe Gradient: 8% Named after Julian Alaphilippe’s 2018 win. After this hairpin, it’s just 500 meters to the village center.
Best Time to Ride
Tour de France Time: If the Tour includes Alpe d’Huez that year, arrive several days early. During the actual Tour stage, the road closes to cyclists hours before the race arrives. The day after is often surprisingly quiet.
Summer Peak: July-August brings crowds of cyclists daily, especially sunny weekends. Start early (before 8am) for more space on the road.
Shoulder Season: June and September offer better weather than expected with fewer cyclists. The Dutch Camp atmosphere is reduced but the climb remains spectacular.
Best Weather: Morning starts avoid afternoon thunderstorms common in the Alps. Start by 7-8am.
Practical Tips
Pacing Strategy: The consistent gradient rewards consistent pacing. Find your sustainable power from the start and maintain it. Most riders go too hard in the opening 5km and suffer later.
Gearing: 50/34 with 11-32 is standard. If you’re not a strong climber or it’s hot, 34x34 eliminates any worry. At this gradient, spinning is faster than grinding.
Fueling: 13.8km takes 45-75 minutes for most riders. Eat before you start, carry water, and have a gel mid-climb if the effort is hard.
Clothing: Temperature drops about 10-12°C (18-22°F) from bottom to top. What’s comfortable in Bourg d’Oisans might be cold at the summit. Carry a vest.
Crowds: On busy days, you’ll ride in a stream of cyclists. Be courteous, call your passes clearly, and don’t weave suddenly.
Summit: The village at the top has cafes, shops, and facilities. Celebrate your achievement before the descent.
Historical Markers
Look for plaques on the road marking famous Tour moments:
- Lance Armstrong’s 2001 Look: On hairpin 15, a plaque marks where Armstrong famously looked back at Jan Ullrich before accelerating away
- Speed Records: Marco Pantani’s 1997 record (37:35) stood until 2021 when Primož Roglič climbed it in 37:34 during training
- Hour Record: The unofficial “hour record” to the top is around 40-43 minutes for pros, 50-70 minutes for strong amateurs
Difficulty Rating
Advanced to Intermediate: Alpe d’Huez is hard but accessible. The consistent gradient and moderate length make it manageable for fit riders with some climbing experience. It’s an excellent “first famous alpine climb.”
Compare to:
- Easier than: Galibier, Stelvio, Mortirolo
- Harder than: Most local hills and short climbs
- Similar to: Ventoux (though Ventoux is longer and more exposed)
What to Expect Mentally
The consistency is simultaneously Alpe d’Huez’s blessing and curse. There are no easy sections to recover, but neither are there long stretches of extreme suffering. It’s steady state climbing—your mental game is finding peace with sustained discomfort.
The numbered hairpins help: they create milestones, turning 13.8km into 21 manageable sections.
On crowded days, the festival atmosphere carries you up. On quiet days, you’re alone with the mountain and your thoughts—equally valuable in different ways.
After You Climb
The Descent: Straightforward and fun, though watch for traffic and other cyclists. The hairpins are wide and well-paved.
The Sarenne Descent: For adventure seekers, a small road at the summit leads to the Sarenne descent—18km of narrow, sometimes rough, descending through spectacular scenery. The Tour occasionally descends this way. It’s optional but worthwhile.
Tourist Activities: Alpe d’Huez is a ski resort, so summer offers hiking, mountain biking, and other activities if you’re staying longer.
Beyond Alpe d’Huez
Many riders combine it with other nearby cols:
- Col du Galibier: 80km away, making a big day
- Col de la Croix de Fer: 50km away via Col du Glandon
- Double Alpe d’Huez: Some riders descend and immediately climb again
Why You Must Ride It
Alpe d’Huez isn’t the longest, steepest, or highest alpine climb. But it might be the most meaningful. The history, the atmosphere, the perfect gradients, and the simple joy of counting hairpins named after legends makes this unforgettable.
Every serious cyclist should climb Alpe d’Huez at least once. The experience transcends the physical challenge—you’re riding the same roads as Pantani, Armstrong, Hinault, and countless others who’ve written cycling history here.
Book accommodation in Bourg d’Oisans, check the weather forecast, and make it happen. When you reach hairpin 21, you’ll join cycling’s brotherhood.
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