30 June – 7 July 2027
Deposit €299
To stay for a shorter or longer amount of time, please contact us
Conquer the legendary mountain passes of Tour de France history. From the dramatic switchbacks of Montvernier and the towering summit of Galibier to the famous 21 hairpins of Alpe d’Huez and the ultra-high altitude of Cime de la Bonette, this tour takes you across Europe’s most celebrated cycling grounds.
Feel the pulse of cycling history beneath your wheels as you trace the roads carved into sheer granite and alpine meadows. Each day presents a fresh horizon of soaring peaks, crisp mountain air, and the intoxicating challenge of Europe’s iconic climbs. Beyond the tarmac, unwind in handpicked alpine villages, indulge in regional French gastronomy, and swap stories over a glass of local wine. With professional ride leaders guiding the way and full support van backing on every ascent, all you need to do is clip in, find your rhythm, and ride into legend.
START & FINISH LOCATION: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne | Barcellonette
DAYS RIDING: 6 days
TOTAL DISTANCE: 485 km
TOTAL ELEVATION: +13,700 mt
GROUP SIZE:: 10/15 max (2 groups on the road)
LEVEL: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
LONGEST DAY: Day 5, 115 km | +2700 m
Airport transfers
Welcome to the French Alps!
After checking in at the hotel, we get the bikes ready and if you are up for a short 1hr ride to test the bike, we will bring you up and down the valley. It’s the perfect, stress-free way to spin out the travel legs, fine-tune your setup, and get a first taste of the breathtaking mountain scenery before the big climbs begin. Afterwards, we’ll gather for a welcome drink and a brief tour orientation to run through the week ahead, introduce the support team, and get ready for an unforgettable week on the road.
Hotel: Best Western Hôtel Cœur de Maurienne **** – Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
A classic double-pass Alpine loop. We head west to ascend the irregular, pitchy gradients of the Col du Glandon (1,924 m) before continuing directly up to the Col de la Croix de Fer (2,067 m). Marked by its famous iron cross, the summit offers stunning views of the Aiguilles d’Arves before a fast, technical descent back into the valley.
Hotel: Best Western Hôtel Cœur de Maurienne **** – Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
A true Alpine queen stage into high-altitude territory. We open with the steady climb of the Col du Télégraphe (1,563 m), followed by a brief descent to Valloire. Then comes the main event: the mighty Col du Galibier (2,642 m). Rise above the tree line into a wild landscape of rock and snow before a sweeping 20 km descent to Monêtier-les-Bains.
Hotel: Maison Alliey Appart Hôtel & Spa **** Monêtier-les-Bains
After breakfast, airport transfer to Nice Airport. See you next time 🙂
Professionals, with many years of experience.
Founder & Tours Director
Since founding Cigala Cycling in 2015, Matteo has led over 100 tours. A former pro and current amateur racer, Matteo is the 2022 European Champion Gran Fondo.
Tour Guide Leader
A former pro cyclist, Amedeo is a cycling tour guide & massage therapist for a decade. It is one of the most experience guides that you will ever find, counting almost over 1000 days on tours.
Guide & Gravel Expert
We have selected the best accommodation and location to ensure that our customers have the greatest experience possible available on-site.
There are many options available, depending on your measures and budget we work with you to find the best bike for you. From standard mechanical groupset and alloy wheels to electric shifting and carbon wheels.
Road or Gravel E-bikes are also available.
FRAMESET: Bianchi, Wilier, KTM
GRUPPO: Sram Rival/Force AXS, Shimano 105, Ultegra, Durace Di2 and Mechnical
PEDALS: Bring your own
SADDLE: Selle Itala
WHEELSET: Alloy, Carbon
You’re welcome to bring your own bike, or rent one for the week. After booking, you will receive a form to fill out via email. You can let us know there and in the case you want to rent, you will see an option to fill up details for your measurements.
You can choose a range of bikes: road or e-road bike.
This trip suits Intermediate and Expert riders. Each days have lots of climbing to complete, therefore, a good level of fitness is required to participate to this tour. If unsure, you can always opt for a road e-bike.
A daily support van follows the group throughout the trip, giving you the full pro experience. It carries spares, snacks, drinks, and any spare gear or jackets you want to shed mid-ride.
Additionally the van will move your suitcases from one hotel to the other.
Finally, our guides are expert mechanics, so you can rely for any adjustments, punctures etc.
Yes, a single room supplement is available and you choose it during the booking process.
Your bike box will need to be transferred each day. We therefore recommend a compact bike box or even better for a stress free experience to rent a bike.
It’s summer, so expect warm days on the bike. At the top of mountain passes you can expect cooler temperatures.
If you’re planning to be a serious and enjoying the climbs and arrive in the evening a little fresher a bit of training preparation is recommended. If you’d like a structured plan built around this trip, visit our cycling coaching page and Matteo can help you put together a plan based on your current level and the time you have before you travel.
Beyond your usual riding kit, bring extra layers, and some rain gear just in case you meet the odd shower. Bring a jacket for descents, as some descents are quite long. Our full guide to packing for a European cycling holiday covers everything else you’ll need for the week.
