Lake Annecy in distance:
edited by: Andy Cline,
Cycling Editor
I obviously like to cycle … but often hiking is a better way to get up high and enjoy the Alps.
Here are a few photos from some recent hikes:
Every November we like to hike up high in the Grand Massif (Flaine) before the skiing starts:
Another dark, foggy day in Geneva, with low cloud cover. Only one thing to do …. get above it into the sun.
Starting from the village of Crozet is a fantastic deserted little forest road up the Jura mountains. We did see (and hear) a few hunters, but otherwise it [...]
I think there is nothing more beautiful than an alpine lake surrounded by alps.
And the Swiss have perfected building huge dams / lakes in the high Alps. Lac de Mauvoisin has been on my list forever. Today I finally climbed it.
[...]Le Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compestelle has been followed by pilgrims for over a 1000 years.
In medieval times it was one of only three pilgrimages offering a plenary indulgence – meaning the remission of the entire temporal punishment due to sin so that no further expiation is required in [...]
For much of the winter Geneva is under dark, depressing cloud cover.
But often it’s just a question of getting above the clouds for sunny weather and great alps views.
[...] 
Any second now Col du Galibier will be closed for 7 or 8 months.
An alpine heat wave and Eric noticed that Galibier was still open up until the tunnel and just perhaps we could get higher. So why not?
A perfect day on the biggest climb in [...]
The plan was to climb the steep and beautiful road from Aigle to Lac de l’Hongrin, proceed to Col des Mosses and loop back via Leysin.
The ride starts climbing at Yvorne through beautiful vineyards (can you spot me in a balaclava?):
[...]The road up to Col du Cenise is not only quiet and beautiful – it is one of the very steepest climbs I know.
Don’t confuse this climb with Col du Mont Cenis further south on the Italian border – details here
Starting in St-Pierre-en-Faucigny, I skipped the busier main [...]
A really fun, but challenging four Col loop through the French part of Les Portes de Soleil ski region.
[...]The French department of l’Ain (north and west of Geneva) has 27 signed cycling routes ranging in difficulty from short and flat to long and mountainous. The routes are well signed, usually on quiet scenic roads. Maps and route cards are [...]
A fairly ambitious route primarily on deserted forestry roads near Lake Annecy.
Starting in Annecy, the route starts along the Annecy bike path passing the entire west side of the lake. At Doussard, I left the cycling path in search of [...]
A superb loop through the Jura mountains – including eight Cols (three for the first time).
There were two principal climbs [...]
Switzerland’s Post buses are famous for providing bus service in remote and beautiful corners of the Alps. And in the Kiental valley in central Switzerland is the steepest Post bus route in Europe.
The valley is dominated by the snow-covered peaks of Blumlisalp at the [...]
Thanks to Pierre who suggested this route in a comment a few weeks back. Merci!
The route includes 3 Cols but the detour up Mont d’Or and it’s leg crushing final kilometre is the [...]
How good is that? Leave the road bike at home as these hairpins below are 100% cobble-stone heaven.
If you like cobblestones then I have the road for you.
The St Gothard Pass (2108m, 6915 feet) is in central Switzerland and an [...]
Now this is an interesting way to do Col de la Madeleine. First climbing Col du Chaussy and then following small, mainly unpaved, roads to Madeleine.
Col du Chaussy is probably [...]
I am not sure why it has taken me this long to climb Signal de Bisanne. Perhaps fear!
A great 84 km loop starting/ending in Megève featuring one of the hardest climbs in the north French Alps.
The first 20 kms are fast, mainly downhill. After leaving [...]
The Tour de l’Ain is a four day professional stage race taking place not far from home (l’Ain is the French department just north-west of Geneva).
A very cool feature of [...]
Today I saw more waterfalls, glaciers, hairpins, and tunnels than I have ever seen in a single day. As Martin and I cycled the Silver course of the Alpen Brevet cyclosportive in the high Swiss Alps.
Three truly unbelievable climbs under [...]
A beautiful loop through the Haut Juras – finishing with a superb climb through and above the Gorges du Flumen (map below).
The ride starts off easily enough along a typical Jura plateau, eventually reaching Col de la Croix de la Serra.
From here on the route is surrounded by [...]
This is not a complete map of passes, but contains most of the great climbs in the area (yes, I realize the map is bigger than the Dolomite region).
The Red pins are passes I have climbed. Blue pins are other climbs …. feel free to [...]
French Magazine Le Cycle currently has a special edition out, listing what it calls the 50 most beautiful routes in France. Eric and I decided to try one of their more mountainous suggestions. [...]
The Col du Galibier - one of the highest and most famous climbs in France - is usually closed due to snow until late June. This leaves a climbing season of just three, maybe four, months.
And there are only so many perfect [...]
Above: Contador and the brothers Schleck near top of last climb.
A great day watching the Epic stage 17 of the [...]
To become a famous climb in a pro Tour usually means the pass is either a key road linking different regions or the top is a major ski station. Col du Sanetsch is neither (thus lessor known), but is more difficult and [...]
I had the boys from the horn section over last night and we recorded this video:
Related PostsDolomites Map and Trip SummaryPasso Falzarego via CampolongoSella Ronda [...]
Le cycle magazine once called this possibly the most difficult climb in France. Maybe an exaggeration, but wow, this is difficult stuff, especially in the heat/humidity.
This is a great, quiet loop. Returning via Col du Chat, while only 638 metres, leads to fantastic views high above [...]
Another great loop starting in Corvara. This is basically the second half of the medium (106 km) course in the Maratona dles Dolomites - so it climbs Passo Falzarego (and 1.3 kms further Passo Valparola) from a different side than the [...]
Passo delle Stelvio (Stilfser Joch in German) is one of the most famous, beautiful, high, and fun cycling rides anywhere.
I was afraid of bad weather but lucked out (a little snow!) and enjoyed one of the greatest rides of my [...]
Col du Grand Colombier and Col de la Biche (map at bottom).
The heatwave/humidity and the steepness made this maybe [...]
A simple plan: Cycle up the steep, beautiful Jura road to Col de Combe Blanche (aka: Col de la Vattay or Col de Puthod) then descend to Nyon to watch the Swiss National Road [...]
At the top of Col de Portes is another Chartreuse monastery. I passed some friendly monks along the route who kindly cheered me on:
Another couple of great - virtually car free - climbs in the Jura mountains.
In the [...]
Doreen has cycled Alpe d’Huez, Ventoux, Galibier, etc. But she had never, ever cycled a century. At least not until today.
Starting in Annecy, we cycled beside the lake on the bike path to Albertville (and beyond) - turning around [...]
Cyclo-tourists coming to the Alps understandably flock to the Route des Grandes Alpes to do the famous Tour de France climbs.
But there are countless lessor known climbs that are as beautiful, much quieter, and often very challenging.
[...] 
Below: Two cows and the actual Croix de Fer (Iron cross) over our shoulder.
A truly perfect day cycling.
Today, Martin and I cycled up Col de la Croix de Fer via the Col du Mollard - and watched the Dauphiné Libéré at [...]
A fun day watching the Dauphiné Libéré near the top of Mont Ventoux.
I have cycled this road a few times before, and it [...]
Below is a map of major cycling climbs in the French Pyrénées.
I have cycled the purple markers (details below). The yellow markers are major climbs that I have yet to do - maybe next time. The red flags are just a few minor Cols (there are hundreds more). Feel [...]
The west side was still closed to cars but I had spoken to a couple of cyclists yesterday and knew that I should [...]
Broadly speaking, the famous climbs of the Pyrénées can be split into two categories:
1. Old mountains routes
2. Purpose built roads up to newish ski stations
The former have usually been in the Tour de France 50 or more [...]
Another great day cycling in the Pyrénées as I work my way towards the giants.
Starting in Castillons, this great ride starts with 10 easy kms to warm the legs up.
[...]
![There were two principal climbs [...]](http://www.cycling-challenge.com/images/maz700.jpg){kind=link}
![The route includes 3 Cols but the detour up Mont d’Or and it’s leg crushing final kilometre is the [...]](http://www.cycling-challenge.com/images/landoz700.jpg){kind=link}
![I had climbed both sides of Oberalppass in the morning and it was hot. But if I didn’t do the Klausenpass now, it would be next year. This is a big, beautiful climb with plenty of [...]](http://www.cycling-challenge.com/images/klausen700.jpg){kind=link}
![Andermatt can be the start point for four beautiful +2000 metres passes (Furka, Susten, Gotthard and Oberalp). The mornings goal was to climb both sides of Oberalppass starting from Andermatt. Exactly like Gotthard Pass, the west [...]](http://www.cycling-challenge.com/images/obereast700.jpg){kind=link}
![If you like cobblestones then I have the road for you. The St Gothard Pass (2108m, 6915 feet) is in central Switzerland and an [...]](http://www.cycling-challenge.com/images/gottsouth700.jpg){kind=link}
![Col du Chaussy is probably [...]](http://www.cycling-challenge.com/images/chaus700.jpg){kind=link}
