🚴 Epic Cycling Routes
Your ultimate bucket list of 39 legendary cycling routes across Europe. From alpine giants to coastal climbs.
French Alps & Pyrenees
Col du Galibier: The Ultimate Guide to Cycling's Most Iconic Alpine Pass
Complete guide to cycling Col du Galibier, one of the highest and most legendary mountain passes in the Alps. Route details, best approaches, and practical tips for conquering this Tour de France giant.
Alpe d'Huez: Complete Guide to Cycling's Most Famous 21 Hairpins
The ultimate guide to climbing Alpe d'Huez, the legendary Dutch mountain with 21 switchbacks. Route details, hairpin breakdown, and tips for conquering this Tour de France icon.
Col du Tourmalet: Complete Guide to the Giant of the Pyrenees
Everything you need to know about cycling Col du Tourmalet, the legendary Pyrenean climb featured 87 times in the Tour de France. Route details for both ascents and practical tips.
Mont Ventoux: Complete Guide to Cycling the Giant of Provence
The definitive guide to climbing Mont Ventoux via all three routes. Practical tips, route details, and everything you need to conquer the Giant of Provence.
Col de l'Iseran: Complete Guide to Europe's Highest Paved Mountain Pass
Cycling Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps at 2,770m. Route details for both ascents, altitude tips, and everything you need to know.
Col de la Bonette: Cycling to Europe's Highest Road at 2,802 Meters
Complete guide to cycling Col de la Bonette-Restefond, Europe's highest through-road. Route details, altitude tips, and the optional Cime de la Bonette loop.
Col d'Izoard: Complete Guide to Cycling the Legendary Casse Déserte
Everything you need to know about cycling Col d'Izoard, home to the haunting Casse Déserte moonscape. Route details, history, and tips for conquering this Tour de France classic.
Col de la Madeleine: Complete Guide to the Underrated Alpine Giant
Everything you need to know about cycling Col de la Madeleine, one of the Alps' longest and most challenging climbs. Route details, strategy, and tips for this 2,000m Tour de France classic.
Col de Vars: Complete Guide to the Gateway to the High Alps
Everything you need to know about cycling Col de Vars, the 2,108m pass connecting the Ubaye and Queyras valleys. Route details, Napoleon's road, and tips for this Alpine classic.
Col Agnel: Complete Guide to Cycling the French-Italian Border Pass
Everything you need to know about cycling Col Agnel (Colle dell'Agnello), the 2,744m pass connecting France and Italy. Route details, high-altitude tips, and strategy for this demanding climb.
Col du Télégraphe: Complete Guide to the Gateway to Galibier
Everything you need to know about cycling Col du Télégraphe, the essential warm-up to the mighty Galibier. Route details, strategy, and tips for this Tour de France classic approach.
Italian Alps & Dolomites
Stelvio Pass: Complete Cycling Guide to Italy's Legendary 48 Hairpins
Everything you need to know about cycling Passo dello Stelvio, one of the highest and most spectacular mountain passes in the Alps. Route details, hairpin guide, and essential tips.
Passo Gavia: Complete Guide to the Italian Alps' Hidden Giant
Cycling Passo Gavia, one of the most challenging alpine passes with brutal gradients and stunning wilderness. Route details for both ascents and practical tips.
Passo Pordoi: Cycling the Queen of the Dolomites
Complete guide to cycling Passo Pordoi, the highest paved pass in the Dolomites. Route details, Giro d'Italia history, and stunning mountain scenery.
Sella Ronda: Complete Guide to Cycling the Dolomites' Legendary Four-Pass Loop
Everything you need to know about cycling the Sella Ronda circuit—four spectacular Dolomite passes in one epic day. Route details, direction choice, and practical tips.
Passo dello Spluga: Cycling the Historic Swiss-Italian Border Pass
Complete guide to cycling Passo dello Spluga, the dramatic pass connecting Switzerland and Italy. Route details, hairpin walls, and Via Spluga history.
Passo Mortirolo: Complete Guide to Italy's Steepest Mountain Pass
Everything you need to know about cycling Passo Mortirolo, one of the world's most brutal climbs. Route details, the legendary Mazzo approach, and survival tips for this Giro d'Italia monster.
Passo Fedaia: Complete Guide to Cycling at the Foot of the Marmolada
Everything you need to know about cycling Passo Fedaia, the gateway to the Marmolada glacier in the Dolomites. Route details, dam views, and tips for this spectacular Italian climb.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo: Complete Guide to Cycling the Dolomites Icon
Everything you need to know about cycling to Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the most iconic peaks in the Dolomites. Route details, toll road information, and tips for this bucket-list destination.
Colle delle Finestre: Complete Guide to Cycling the Gravel Giant
Everything you need to know about cycling Colle delle Finestre, famous for its brutal unpaved summit section. Route details, gravel tips, and survival strategy for this Giro d'Italia legend.
Passo Rolle: Complete Guide to Cycling the Gateway to Pale di San Martino
Everything you need to know about cycling Passo Rolle, the stunning Dolomites pass offering views of the Pale di San Martino. Route details, scenery, and tips for this accessible Italian climb.
Spanish Cycling Routes
Sa Calobra: Cycling Mallorca's Most Spectacular Coastal Climb
Complete guide to cycling Sa Calobra, Mallorca's iconic serpentine descent and brutal climb. Route details, the Tie Knot, and practical tips for this bucket-list ride.
Alto de l'Angliru: Complete Guide to Cycling Spain's Most Brutal Climb
Everything you need to know about cycling Alto de l'Angliru, one of the world's most brutal climbs with gradients exceeding 23%. Route details, survival tips, and strategy for this Vuelta legend.
Lagos de Covadonga: Complete Guide to Cycling Asturias' Sacred Climb
Everything you need to know about cycling the Lagos de Covadonga, one of Spain's most beautiful and demanding climbs. Route details, history, and tips for this Vuelta a España classic.
Alto de Letras: Complete Guide to Cycling the World's Longest Climb
Everything you need to know about cycling Alto de Letras in Colombia, the longest continuous climb on Earth. Route details, extreme altitude, and tips for this legendary South American challenge.
Puerto de Ancares: Complete Guide to Cycling Spain's Remote Northern Pass
Everything you need to know about cycling Puerto de Ancares, a hidden gem on the Galicia-León border. Route details, stunning scenery, and tips for this off-the-beaten-path Spanish climb.
Coll de Rates: Complete Guide to Cycling Costa Blanca's Favorite Climb
Everything you need to know about cycling Coll de Rates, the popular training climb near Calpe. Route details, professional history, and tips for this Mediterranean classic.
Swiss Alps
Furka Pass: Cycling the James Bond Pass Through the Swiss Alps
Complete guide to cycling Furka Pass, Switzerland's iconic alpine route featured in James Bond's Goldfinger. Route details, hotel Belvedere, and spectacular glacier views.
Gotthard Pass: Cycling Switzerland's Historic Alpine Crossroads
Complete guide to cycling Gotthard Pass, the historic Swiss north-south route with cobblestone sections and 600+ years of history. Route details for both ascents.
Oberalp Pass: Cycling Switzerland's Gentle High-Altitude Pass
Complete guide to cycling Oberalp Pass, connecting Andermatt and Disentis. Route details, lighthouse landmark, and combining with other Swiss passes.
Grimsel Pass: Cycling Switzerland's Dramatic Reservoir Pass
Complete guide to cycling Grimsel Pass with its spectacular reservoir dams, dramatic rock walls, and perfect Swiss engineering. Route details for both ascents.
Susten Pass: Complete Guide to Cycling Switzerland's Glacier Road
Everything you need to know about cycling Susten Pass, the dramatic Swiss climb featuring glacier views and engineering marvels. Route details, tunnels, and tips for this alpine masterpiece.
Nufenen Pass: Complete Guide to Cycling Switzerland's Highest Road Pass
Everything you need to know about cycling Nufenen Pass, Switzerland's highest paved road pass at 2,478m. Route details, altitude tips, and strategy for this ultimate Swiss climb.
Iconic European Routes
Grossglockner High Alpine Road: Austria's Most Spectacular Cycling Route
Complete guide to cycling the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria's stunning mountain pass featuring 36 hairpins, glacier views, and breathtaking alpine scenery.
Transfagarasan Highway: Cycling Romania's Epic Mountain Road
Complete guide to cycling the Transfagarasan Highway, Romania's spectacular Carpathian mountain pass. Route details, viaducts, tunnels, and everything you need to know.
Trollstigen: Cycling Norway's Dramatic Troll's Ladder Mountain Pass
Complete guide to cycling Trollstigen, Norway's iconic mountain road with 11 hairpins and dramatic waterfalls. Route details, best season, and practical tips.
Hardknott Pass: Conquering England's Hardest and Steepest Road Climb
Complete guide to cycling Hardknott Pass in England's Lake District—featuring 30% gradients and considered the UK's most challenging road climb.
By The Numbers
🏆 Once in a Lifetime Rides
These legendary routes represent the pinnacle of European cycling. Challenging, spectacular, and utterly unforgettable.
🇮🇹 Stelvio Pass
48 hairpins, 2,758m - Italy's ultimate challenge
🇫🇷 Col du Galibier
Tour de France legend, 2,642m of alpine glory
🇮🇹 Sella Ronda
Four Dolomite passes in one epic loop
🇫🇷 Mont Ventoux
The Giant of Provence - cycling's ultimate test
Start Planning Your Epic Ride
Read our complete guides with route details, practical tips, and everything you need to conquer these legendary climbs.