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.

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.

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.

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.

Many of your bike rides from Annecy include Cols that have been included in the famous Tour de France bike race. We’re not leaving the best until last although you may think so! Your last ride with us starts with the Cote de Puget (796m, 5.4km @ average 5.9%) which was the first climb included in an epic final stage of the 2013 TDF which had a staggering 6 Cols finishing at the summit of the nearby giant of Semnoz.
Enjoy these scenic slopes and the incredible vista offered of the Lake as the road winds its way upwards, it’s a challenge and welcome relief to arrive at the farm village summit. Get your breath back as you have a second Col fast approaching the Col de Leschaux (944m, 3.6km @ average 6.1%). This Col can be climbed from several 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 Day and Its unfortunately time for your French Alps Bike Tour – Challenging Alps Cycling adventures to draw to an end.
Practice Bicycle Tours wish you ‘Bon Voyage’, safe cycling until we PRACTICE BICYCLE together again

Challenging Alps Cycling Itinerary Distance 420km/260mi Elevation 4770m/15600ft Cols 8

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 a couple of classified Cols on this 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.

We target Mont Revard with your selection of Epic Alpine Cycling Cols on today’s route, but first we head into the UNESCO Massif des Bauges park. This was where the Tour de France 2013 was decided with a final massive stage that bounced over these roads before Mont Revard and the finish line at the summit of Semnoz.
Start the day through the woodlands before we enter this fantastic bowl shaped valley, perfect cycling training roads and often used by the world tour professional cycling team AG2R CITROËN TEAM. Once in the hub of this area, get into a rhythm on the Col Plainpalais before a final kick to the Mont Revard. The testing descent deserves all of our attention and skills with technical twisting roads, great riding available to you with your Epic Alpine Cycling Cols itinerary.

West of Annecy and away from the Grand Alps towards the Jura mountains is our alpine ride route today. Downhill towards the Rhone river gives the legs plenty of time to warm-up and the flat valley takes us towards Lac du Bourget. With the Col du Grand Colombier (1505m) and Col de la Biche (1325m) on one side of the valley and the Col de la Chambotte (650m), Col du la Sapenay (917m) and Col du Clergeon (979m) on the other side. It’s the Col du Clergeon which will test our legs on these pre-alps cols. Our workload doesn’t stop there as we retrace back to Annecy on difficult, undulating French country roads.

This is one of the Teams local challenges into the Grand Alps, we have many Col’s of varying difficulties and duration accessible from Annecy the Aravis Mountain range is one of the most spectacular. Often in the Tour de France with the Col de la Colombiere, Col du Croix-fry and Col des Aravis, this chain of mountains can be climbed from all directions. This makes for an epic alpine cycling day and a steady tempo with correct gear selection essential for this long day of climbing in the French Alps.
Remember to look up and take in the incredible views that change around every switchback in the road. This is Epic Alpine Cycling Cols the very best cycling of your life in the French alps.

With the Tour de France using this climb in recent years we have added it to your Epic Alpine Cycling Cols week. Leaving 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) 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 alps riding as we head towards our choice Col of the day 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 you at the summit.
It’s got a unique alps feel, unlike many of the cols you have ridden you will certainly experience this difference. Once at the summit, we’re on top of the world a great achievement and perfect memory of great cycling in the French Alps to end your Epic Alpine Cycling Cols with Practice Bicycle Tours.

Epic Alpine Cycling Cols Itinerary Distance 540km/335mi Elevation 8680m/28500ft Cols 13