Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 65km/40mi
Ascent 900m/3000ft

We are always spoilt for choice when it comes to picking and tailoring your Challenging Alps Cycling routes with so many Cols around Annecy some famous others not so well known. It’s also more interesting to see these amazing sights, delights and challenges in every direction, today we are heading North and following the edge of the Alps and the sheer rock face of the Tete du Parmelan.
These impressive panoramas of the mountains are part of your daily ride routine with Practice Bicycle Tours, today is no exception as we climb through the forest of the Col de Frettallaz (670m) and all the splendor of Alpine views. These secret country roads have everything from Chateaux’s to Plateau’s perfect to escape and appreciate all the pleasures from great cycling in the French Alps.
This historic area was a strong hold of the French Resistance during World War 2 and the Plateau Glieres has an impressive National Monument to the Resistance.
The climb of the Col des Fleuries (932m, 5.6km @ average 5%) is your challenge today enjoy the peace and tranquility of this Alpine region and the views of Switzerland in the distance.

Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 75km/47mi
Ascent 850m/2800ft

After yesterday’s ride to the North, today we show you the contrast of this ‘Cycling Paradise’ as we explore some of the undulating roads to the West of Annecy, away from the Grand Alps and in the direction of one of France’s main rivers the Rhone.
Gently winding away from town we are on the very best cycling roads in the world and what feels like slightly downhill all the way as we are heading into the next valley dotted with local vineyards and amazing views. It’s only the vertical over hanging rocks of the valley road that separates you from the Rhone River and with the natural site of the Val du Fier we’re in a totally different landscape and area of France the department of L’Ain.
The Rhone is an impressive river system with changes in currents and colors a reflection of the hydro-electric power systems nearby. More impressive are the green shrouded mountains either side, referred to as the pre-Alps and often included in the Tour de France route, your Challenging Alps Cycling includes one of these climbs the Cote du Mont-des-Prince (696m 6km @ average 6.2%)
With today’s challenge complete enjoy quite traffic free roads returning to Lake Annecy with panoramic views all the way.

Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 65km/40mi
Ascent 540m/1800ft

Today we have chosen one of the Practice Bicycle teams favorite climbs the Col du Marais, this challenge with its constant grade and relatively short duration makes it a French Alps pleasure for all!
This route like many of these amazing rides can be ridden from a variety of directions, we will head south down the valley following the side of Lake Annecy. Ready to take on your own Alpine climb at your pace with the slopes of the Col du Marais (10km @ Average 4%, 843m Altitude), the air is fresh and the views are magnificent and you can experience for yourself why the French Alps are world famous!
Your little taste of the grandeur of the Alps continues descending through the village of Thones, a beautiful town and the center of the famous local “Reblochon” cheese production industry.
With all this cycling effort there is always a reward and today is no different with a favorite cafe and patisserie stop. Enjoy the rest of the ride as it’s nearly all downhill back to your hotel not forgetting unforgettable views all the way.

Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 75km/46mi
Ascent 1120m/3300ft

Riding on great roads is not just about the climbing, it’s about the view waiting for you at the top! The Practice Bicycle team are used to great views and can’t wait to share this one with you, with a panoramic view of the city of Geneva, Lake Leman and Switzerland.
Twisting country roads of France warm up the legs before we cross the Pont de la Caille, this medieval bridge was the only way of crossing the river Les Usses and getting to near by Geneva. We can see Mont Saleve waiting for us in the distance and our challenge for the day the Col des Pitons (1335m) 12km @ 4.5% ! It’s 1992 since the Tour de France passed over this climb, although most of the surrounding roads have seen the Grande Boucle in more recent years. This will be the longest climb on your Challenging Alps Cycling itinerary, this allows for plenty of time to enjoy both the views and great cycling together.
Get your breath back and make the most of these valuable moments in time with spectacular panoramic views the perfect reward for this great bike ride.

Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 65km/40mi
Ascent 850m/2800ft
Many of your bike rides from Annecy include Cols that have been included in the famous Tour de France bike race, this is area has many, and we’re not leaving the best ride route until last although you may think so!
Enjoy these scenic slopes and the incredible vista offered of the Lake as the road winds its way upwards, it’s one of the local cyclists’ regular weekend challenges the Col de Leschaux (944m, 3.6km @ average 6.1%). This Col can be climbed from several other directions and just another reason why we call the home of Practice Bicycle Tours, ‘Cycling Paradise’.
It is a fantastic experience on the Challenging Alps Cycling routes, enjoyable, challenging and a great sense of achievement riding these famous Cols, enjoy climbing together one last time to cap off a great week on your Alps cycling holiday.

Departure Time: Midday

Departure Day and Its unfortunately time for your French Alps Bike Tour – Challenging Alps Cycling adventures to draw to an end.
PB Cycling Tours wish you ‘Bon Voyage’, safe cycling until we Practice Bicycle together again

Challenging Alps Cycling Itinerary:
Total Distance 420km/260mi, Total Elevation 4770m/15600ft, Total Number of Cols 8

Epic Ride Route:
Distance 105km/65mi
Ascent 1355m/4500ft
Col de l’Arpettaz (1581m) cat1 – 16.3km @ 7.1%
Col de la Forclaz – Queige (870m) cat2 – 5.6km @ 8%
With the legs fresh and fully charged it’s an Epic ride route in more ways than one today as we start our climbing with the little-known testing climb of the Col de l’Arpettaz (1581m). Narrow switchback roads between the alpine trees eventually becomes the high French Alps pastures. This is a long climb and deserves a steady pace along with the rewards of incredible views on top of the world!
If the suns shining or we’ve passed through the clouds, we can almost touch the white mountain (Mont Blanc 4808m) the summit of Europe. We’ve ticked off the big one for the day, and as we like to say, ‘there is always another climb, if you wish’, we’re descending into the Valley for climb #2, Col de la Forclaz – Queige (870m).
Not to be confused with the other Forclaz high above the Lake, which we can admire with our final kms as we return to Annecy.

Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 60km/37mi
Ascent 750m/2500ft
Chateaux Clermont (654m) cat4 – 6.6km @ 5.2%
The French Alps Bike Tours offer an amazing selection of ride routes from Annecy, ‘Cycling Paradise’. The PB cycling experience is only possible with years of riding these unbeatable roads, it’s also this vast experience that makes this Combination French Alps cycling itinerary perfect for our cycling guests. Putting together great cycling weeks is our speciality, todays Clermont (654m) bike tour is the ideal selection after yesterday’s demands.
This ride heads West away from the Grand Alps and towards the Pre-Alps, with many of these Cols in previous editions of the Tour de France, including one of the most difficult climbs in France the Grand Colombier. Exploring this network of roads and the climb up to Chateau Clermont (654m) is the perfect example of why French cycling is such a unique cycling experience.

Epic Ride Route:
Distance 110km/68mi
Ascent 1330m/4400ft
Col du Vorger (707m) cat3 – 4.5km @ 7%
Collet de Tamie (960m) cat2 – 5.1km @ 7%
Sambuy (1146m) cat2 – 8.6km @ 7.4%
This Epic ride route, is a favourite of the PB Team heading towards the Winter Olympic town of Albertville, which is also often a Tour de France stage depart. Not all Cols are famous or seen on TV, although the pleasure and sense of achievement when reaching the summit becomes a familiar expectation and why we come back for more!
This is a multi-Col ride day with the Col du Vorger (707m) unique with its 13 turns (Virage 13) you might like to think of it as being a ‘little Alpe d’Huez’ above Albertville. This is the perfect Café stop before we push on with the Collet de Tamie (906m), you can see why French roads are confusing and it’s easy to get lost when there are 3 different ways to reach this summit. Heading back in the direction of Annecy, we have the final challenge of the Sambuy (1146m), great way to feel like a pro cyclist for the day with distance and climbing in one amazing day in the saddle.

Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 70km/43mi
Ascent 815m/2700ft
Côte de Copponex (736m) cat3 – 7km @ 4.6%
Show casing this cycling mecca with the opportunity for rides in every direction is another reason why you are in ‘Alps Cycling Paradise’ and what is Cycling without memories, it’s making memories that keep the pedals turning.
We smile together every time we enjoy riding the Cote de Copponex (736m), it was on this climb we watched the world-class sprinter Robbie McEwen, struggling like all good cyclists in the 1997 Tour de France and it was also included in the route of the 2021 Tour de France that passed through the Haute-Savoie department.
These roads North of Annecy and in the direction of Geneva (Switzerland), also separate Lake Annecy from it’s neighbor Lake Leman. This undulating terrain is full of tranquil country lanes dotted with farms and villages, testing roads for even the best of legs, with this challenging ride route!

Epic Ride Route:
Distance 100km/62miles,
Ascent 1660m/5500ft,
Col de Plainpalais (1173m) cat2 – 12.5km @ 4.7%
Mont Revard (1562m) cat2 – 9km @ 4.6%
Your final Epic ride with your PB cycling week takes to the roads of the 2013 Tour de France route, it was a huge day for cycling in Annecy, with both the Depart by the Lake and the Arrivee on the summit of the Semnoz Mountain – Cret de Chatillon (1699m).
The whole stage route was in the Bauges National Park, an area that we could easily enjoy riding together for an additional week with lots of superb valley roads and Cols everyway you choose to look. We climb two of these spectacular Cols within our 100km epic route to top off a perfect French Alps bike tour together. Col de Plainpalais (1173m) is another long climb, which leads straight into the summit of Mont Revard (1562m) making it a very long Col and a real box ticker.
With the hard work complete we’ll return to Annecy down another breathtaking valley before we celebrate your PB cycling experience together.

DEPARTURE TIME: Midday
Departure Day and Its unfortunately time for your Combination French Alps cycling itinerary to come to an end. Now is the time to recover and rest your legs ready for more great challenging bike rides to come.
PB Bike Tours wish you ‘Bon Voyage’, safe cycling until we ride together again

Combination French Alps Cycling Itinerary:
Total Distance 495km/307mi, Total Elevation 6430m/21000ft, Total Number of Cols 10

Epic Ride Route:
Distance 115km/71mi
Ascent 2000m/6500ft
Col des Fleuries (932m) cat4 – 5.6km @ 5%
Col de la Colombiere (1618m) cat 1 – 11.8km @ 5.9%

With an endless choice of the world’s best bike rides with your Practice Bicycle French Alps cycling tours, it’s always great to head in all directions. Climbing out of Annecy with the Tete du Parmelan shadowing the ride route along the contour of the French Alps. We have two classified Cols on this Epic ride route, with these magnificent alpine roads that are brilliant for cycling and often used with local cycling sportive events.
Our first official climb of the day takes us up to 932m, before descending into the next valley and the Gorge des Eveaux. We’re deep into the Grand Alps and for many it’s time to head back to Annecy. For the avid rider the Col de la Colombiere is waiting and a great challenge worth every pedal stroke! don’t worry this marvelous but epic cycling loop ends with a long descent back to Annecy.

Epic Ride Route:
Distance 80km/50mi
Ascent 1750m/5700ft
Cote de Puget (796m) cat2 – 5.4km @ 5.9%
Col de Leschaux (903m) cat3 – 7.2km @ 4%
Cret de Chatillon (1699m) cat1 – 13.4km @ 5.7%

We target the famous Cret de Chatillon (1699m) with your selection of Alpine Cols on today’s route, but first we head into the UNESCO Massif des Bauges park. This was where the 2013 Tour de France was decided with a final massive stage that bounced over these fantastic cycling roads before the finish line at the summit of Semnoz Mountain – Cret de Chatillon.
Climbing away from Lake Annecy through the woodlands and pastures in this huge bowl-shaped valley, perfect cycling training roads and often used by the world tour professional cycling team Ag2r, who are based in the nearby town of Chambery. Once in the hub of this green cycling valley, follow the Tour de France route climbs and take the final challenge of the summit on top of the world! The descent deserves all our attention and skills with twisting testing roads, great riding only achievable with these unique PB Tours Epic ride routes.

Epic Ride Route:
Distance 110km/68mi
Ascent 1800m/5900ft
Col de la Forclaz (1157m) cat1 – 9.8km @ 6.9%
Col du l’Epine (947m) cat1 – 7km @ 7%
Col du Tamie (907m) cat3 – 10.1km @ 3.9%

Lake Annecy is the centre piece of this Epic ride route, a favourite PB cycling experience for many of our cycling guests. This trio of famous Cols are used in both the Criterium Dauphine and Tour de France World Tour professional races, take the challenge at your own pace with this Epic day on the bike.
With incredible panoramic views above the lake just one of todays rewards for your riding effort, heading South along the valley tick off the Col du l’Epine (947m) from your list whilst you pinch yourself that you are riding in the incredible French Alps. Get your breath back on the descent before the final climb of the day, the Col du Tamie (907m), amazingly this Col can be ridden from 3 different directions!
Our climbing complete retrace back to Annecy with time to relax and recover ready for another Epic ride route with your PB cycling experience.

Epic Ride Route:
Distance 90km/56mi
Ascent 1450m/4700ft
Col de la Croix-fry (1477m) cat1 – 11.3km @ 7%
Col des Aravis (1486m) cat2 – 5km @ 6.4%

This is one of the PB Teams favourite local challenges that they like to share with you into the Grand Alps, with many Alpine Col’s of varying difficulties and duration accessible from Annecy the Aravis Mountain range is one of the most spectacular.
These roads are often in the Tour de France with the Col de la Colombiere, Col du Croix-fry and Col des Aravis, tick these famous Cols off your bucket list whilst you climb in what is known as the Aravis chain of mountains. This makes for an Epic alpine ride and a steady tempo with correct gear selection essential for this long day of climbing in the Northern French Alps.
Don’t forget to look up and absorb the incredible views that change around every switchback in the road, as we ride together high into the Alps. Spectacular climbing in the French alps makes for an unforgettable day of cycling.

Distance 80km/50miles,
Ascent 1390m/4500ft,
Col de Fretallaz (695m) cat4 – 5km @ 5%
Col des Glieres (1440m) cat1 – 9.4km @ 7.1%

With the Tour de France visiting the Plateau Glieres in recent years we have added it to your Epic Alpine Cols cycling week. With your amazing growing list of French Alps Cols climbed throughout your PB cycling tour, the legs will be recognizing your effort and this final challenge will be worth all the effort when you reach the Plateau. It almost cost Ritchie Porte his Tour de France Podium when he punctured on the gravel section, we won’t take any risks and keep to the sealed roads.
Our final ride together takes us North from Annecy, it’s not long before you’re riding in the shade of the forest and on the climb of the Col de Fretallaz (695m) your first challenge. These secret country roads have everything as its time to disappear on the slopes of the Col des Glieres (1440m). This historic area of France was a strong hold of the French Resistance during World War 2 and an impressive memorial awaits us at the summit.
Once at the plateau, we’re on top of the world a great achievement and deserving reward of great cycling in the French Alps to end your Epic alpine cols cycling week with Practice Bicycle Tours.

DEPARTURE TIME: Midday
Departure Day and Its unfortunately time for your cycling holiday in the French Alps to come to an end. Now is the time to recover and rest your legs ready for more great challenging bike rides to come.
PB Bike Tours wish you ‘Bon Voyage’, safe cycling until we ride together again

Epic Alpine Cols Cycling Itinerary:
Total Distance 525km/326mi, Total Elevation 8880m/29000ft, Total Number of Cols 14