Transalpes – Megève to Nice (Antibes)

The Transalpes cycling tour provides an incredible and diverse journey from the beautiful town of Megève in the northern Alps all the way south to Antibes on the spectacular Côte d’Azur (French Riviera). 

Transalpes is inspired mainly by our Grand Tour du Sud, which we’ve run for many years. – it will include the best of the Grand Tour du Sud with a few spectacular extras.

A carefully designed format will mean maximum flexibility on this tour, allowing riders of different levels to enjoy this fabulous journey. 

This tour will include classic climbs like Col du Galibier, Col de l’Iseran, Col d’Izoard, Cime de la Bonette, Cormet de Roselend, Col du Vars, Col des Saisies, Col du Télégraphe and many more.

An exciting and deliberately tenuous journey from the Northern Alps all the way to the sea. 

The schedule, cycling Megève to Nice (Antibes)

Tuesday, June 6

Arrive at Geneva airport. 

See the TRAVEL INFORMATION below for the recommended arrival times. 

We will meet at Geneva airport and take you to Megève – the transfer time is 60-minutes. 

Plenty of time to make bikes up and to enjoy the town. 

A hearty dinner and an informal briefing to discuss the riding over the coming days.

Wednesday, June 7

Megève to Bourg St Maurice (Bellentre).
90km and 2100m climbing (97km and 2400m including Col du Pré).

A beautiful way to start our journey south as we head up our first challenge, the Col de Saisies. 

After a descent to Beaufort, we’ll head up the beautiful Cormet de Roselend with the option of the Col du Pré, too, for those looking for a maximum challenge!

Thursday, June 8

Bourg Saint Maurice (Bellentre) to Aussois.
110km and 2600m climbing (132km and 3300m).

Today starts with the long climb of the Col de L’Iseran, the highest paved pass in the Alps. 

The spectacular last few kilometres will help numb the pain of this 2770m giant. The descent down the other side into the upper Maurienne Valley is stunning. 

We’ll make our way up to the pretty village of Aussois to complete our day with the option of the Col du Mont Cenis for whoever needs more!

Friday, June 9

Aussois to Briançon.
93km and 2100m climbing (130km and 3100m).

Col du Télégraphe will provide the perfect warm-up to the classic Col du Galibier that follows almost immediately after it. 

After scaling the Galibier and enjoying some time at the summit, we’ll make the technical descent to the Col du Lauteret, followed by the super fast, sweeping road down to Briançon. 

That might be enough for some but for those looking for an extra challenge, the gorgeous Col du Granon awaits us, as does the Col de l’Echelle on the Italian border.

Saturday, June 10

Briançon to Barcelonette.
100km and 2650m climbing (132kms and 3300m).

Col d’Izoard will be our first climb today, followed by a long descent to Guillestre. 

The second part of our ride will take us over the Col du Vars, followed by the descent into the remote Ubaye valley. 

As usual, this route will have extra options – we actively encourage sorties up the Col de la Larche and the ski station of Pra Loup.

Sunday, June 11

Staying two nights in Barcelonette gives us lots of flexibility on this day to design what each rider needs. 

Surrounded by fabulous bike riding, each rider can choose a day to either challenge or perhaps recuperate. 

The Col d’Allos, Col des Champs, and Col de Cayolle loop might appeal to stronger-feeling riders. 

A spectacular and big day at 118kms and over 3000m climbing. 

Allos and Cayolle also provide beautiful ‘up and back’ rides returning to Barcelonette for those looking for a shorter day.

Monday, June 12

Barcelonette to Levens.
130kms and 2800m climbing.

Our main objective today is the Cime de la Bonette. The highest paved road in the Alps at 2802m. 

Just outdoing the Col d’Iseran by a few metres by an extra loop of tarmac extending upwards from the Col de Restefond.

The 24km climb to the top will be followed by an epic descent into the Tinéé valley and onwards towards the Cote d’Azur.

Tuesday, June 13

Levens to Nice (Antibes).
120kms and 1700m climbing.

Our final day will be a fantastic route taking in many of the classic rides around the Cote d’Azur area and much used by the pro riders who live and train there.

On this day, there is lots of flexibility to adapt the route. 

We’ll likely include the Col de Vence before heading to the coast for our final fanfare of riding around Cap d’Antibes.

Wednesday, June 14

Transfers from Nice to the Nice Côte d’Azur airport. A transfer time of 15-minutes.

See the TRAVEL INFORMATION below for recommended departure times.

Who would enjoy this trip?

This trip is long and challenging but offers more flexibility in each day in its route choice than, for example, our Grand Tour du Sud trip. 

As a result of this flexibility, this trip will be an excellent experience for a range of rider levels. 

Depending on the daily options chosen, riders will ride between 650km and 900km on this journey, and the total amount of climbing will be between 13000m and 20000m. 

The main prerequisites for the Transalpes are that you come prepared and are happy to ride for 5-6 hours each day. 

We would anticipate most riders on this trip having already ridden in high mountains before, but not always. 

As is always the case, please contact Alpine Cadence to find out if this trip suits you.

What we include

• 7 days of fully supported rides (mechanical assistance, vehicle support, guides)
• 8 nights of accommodation, twin share, in a combination of gites and 2/3 star hotels.
• Breakfast on all days, dinner on all nights except the final evening in Antibes.
• Transfers from Geneva Airport and to Nice Cote d’Azur Airport
• Energy drink powder, bananas, and pastries are available at all times on the rides
• Alpine Cadence bidon with a complimentary pack of bars and gels

What we don’t include

• Travel insurance.
• Lunches.
• Flights.

Contact us to learn more or to book.  

VAM Rating

Riders on this trip should be capable of climbing at a rate of around 700 metres/hour on a long climb. 

The measurement certainly does not mean that riders have to ride at this level for the duration of the trip. 

Find out more about VAM in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Travel information

Ideally, your flight to Geneva on June 6th should land before 1400. We’d like to leave the airport at around 1500.

Late arrivals can usually be accommodated, but please contact us before booking flights so we can confirm their suitability for convenient pick-ups.

Departure from Nice Airport on June 14th is flexible. Our hotel is close to the airport, meaning you can book flights at any time of the day.

There is also an option to fly out on June 13th. We’ll complete the day’s ride by about 16.00. Participants could book flights from 19.30 onwards.

Please contact us to find out more or to make a booking.