Col d’Ornon loop,
French Alps

If you love to climb, don’t miss the ascent to Oulles. The village only became accessible to vehicles when the road was cut into the rockface in 1963. It’s hairpins galore on this narrow, quiet road to the tiny hamlet at the top.

We also loved turning our backs on the rest of the world and heading north after Siécoz. You ride through the quiet valley leading back to Bourg d’Oisans, passing little villages where the houses puff out woodsmoke and it feels like you’ve gone back in time.

The narrow, rocky road to Oulles

The quiet road to Oulles

Quiet country roads after Siécoz on the Plateau Matheysin

The gritty ascent to Oulles falls firmly in the “hidden gem” category: most people just cycle past on their way to Col d’Ornon.

The climb is about 6km long from the turn off, has a 9% average gradient and you’ll climb just under 600m in total. It’s a quiet road with impressive hairpins and spectacular views down the narrow valley.

If you’ve got the legs for it, make the diversion up and back down this climb. You won’t regret it.

Switchbacks on the road up to Oulles

Water stop in Oulles – can’t guarantee it’s drinking water but we were fine!

View along the Ornon valley from the Oulles climb

After the turn off to Oulles, the climb to the top of Col d’Ornon is relatively gradual – it’s about 9.5km with an average gradient of 6%.

It’s more accessible than many of the climbs in the area, but it’s harder than it looks. This is perhaps due to the long straight sections of road (a rarity in the Alps!) and the fact you’re cycling through a wide valley surrounded by jagged mountain ranges, rather than up a valley side.

On the Col d’Ornon

The Ornon climb

Col de la Morte, on the way back to Bourg d’Oisans

From the top of Col d’Ornon, it’s a straight run down to Valbonnais and the little town of Siécoz. This is where you turn off onto the tiny D114A and the fun really begins.

You wind your way up through tiny villages, where the smell of woodsmoke lingers on the air and it’s just you, your bike, beautiful green countryside and the grey tarmac unravelling before you. The climb kicks up 4 or so kilometres before you reach the little ski resort of La Morte. It’s a twisty, long descent down to the main road which brings you back to Bourg d’Oisans.

Bourg d’Oisans is obviously well equipped. Other options include:

This article shares our tips for the best hotels and cycling accommodation in/around Alpe d’Huez.

Take particular care on the descent from Oulles, it’s narrow and you don’t want to meet a car if you’re on the wrong side of the road. There can be rock falls and the road climbs through forest, so watch out for debris and wet patches.

If you can’t face the climb to Oulles, it’s easy to skip it. Just carry on up the climb to the Col d’Ornon rather than taking the right to Oulles. It’s still a fantastic ride.

Read our tips for cycling in the French Alps before you set out.

Click here for our complete guide to planning a holiday in the central Alps.

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Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.

Want to connect with Clare? Find her over on LinkedIn.