Alpe d'Huez
Located on a fully south-facing plateau, Alpe d’Huez offers glorious sunshine all day and is known as ‘The Island in the Sunshine’ due to having an average of 300 sunny days per year.
The glacier in Alpe d’Huez reaches an altitude of 3,300m. There are two access routes: via the Marmotte III funitel which will take you to 3,060m or the Pic Blanc cable car which will take you to the very top at 3,300m. From either of these two summits you will have truly breathtaking views across to Mont Blanc, Aiguilles d’Arves and La Meije.
See the beauty in Le Rateau, La Meije, La Muzelle, Les Aiguilles d’Arves, the Belledonne mountains and Mont Blanc; a landscape covering almost one fifth of France, from Italy to the Massif Central.
Thriving in sports such as cycling, walking, flying, horse riding, etc plus cultural and more chilled-out activities, Alpe d’Huez also has many important events each summer.
Alpe d’Huez is famous for its cycling, being the Mecca of the Tour de France! Its famous 21 hairpin bends (that you might have seen on TV or been there yourself) have been a regular finish stage since 1976. It’s a very popular route for recreational cyclists in the summer to try and tackle with it being one of a few areas worldwide where cycling is in the top spot for reasons to visit.
Aside from the famous Tour de France route, there are lots of other cycle routes for those wanting to get in their biking miles and experience breathtaking scenery. There are many famous ‘Col’ roads to take such as Col du Glandon.
Located only an hour from Grenoble, it is a convenient village to visit via plane or train.
Top summer activities to experience in Alpe d'Huez
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Here are some ideas of activities, however there is plenty more on offer!
Kidsland
Inflatable castles and trampolines, for children aged 1 to 12. Trampoline accessible up to age 16.
Paragliding
Tandom fly over the mountain pastures, lakes and peaks of the Oisans region, with its breathtaking panoramas.
Cinema
Screenings at 5pm and 8:30pm.
Bike park
With 36 signposted mountain bike trails, Alpe d'Huez is at the heart of one of the largest mountain bike areas in France It is an immense playground stretching over 2,600m in altitude, from the summit of the Pic Blanc at 3,330 meters to the edge of the Bourg d'Oisans valley.
Stats:
Vertical drop: from 3,330m (Pic Blanc) to 720m (Allemond).
309km of mountain bike trails
45 certified itineraries
16 downhill itineraries (35km) - 15 enduro itineraries (112km) - 8 MTB/VTTAE itineraries (118km) - 6 discovery itineraries (44km)
4 pump tracks
1 flow trail
Outdoor heated swimming pool
Located in the centre of the resort. Pool heated to 27°.
Canyoning
In nearby Oz en Oisans, accessible from age 10 upwards, the fun-filled Oz canyon awaits you with natural slides and natural jumps. Level: accessible to all sportspeople (to be comfortable in the water), in good physical health.
Luge mountain coaster
Experience the thrill of rail tobogganing at Alpe d'Huez! Alone or in pairs, embark on an unforgettable descent, punctuated by banked turns, bumps, waves and tunnels for maximum thrills! Designed to be safe and accessible to all.
Leisure land
Located in the Bergers district, it includes 4 tennis courts, 2 padel courts, archery range, 9-hole compact golf course, mini golf course, skatepark (free access).
Playgrounds
Several play areas are available for children up to 10 years of age:
Quartier des Bergers
Avenue des Jeux
Quartier de l'Eclose
Between church and school
In Huez village
At Lac Besson
Via ferrata
An unmissable itinerary along the La Fare waterfall, with views over the Vaujany resort and the Eau d'Olle valley. Discover safe vertical hiking with Alpe Sports Loisirs!
Practised on a secure rock face itinerary equipped with cables, ladders and metal handles. The activity is supervised by experienced, qualified professionals. You need to be in good physical shape to practice via ferrata. Under the spray of the waterfall: 2 routes, one with footbridges.
Via ferrata is a cross between climbing and hiking, secured on ropes.
Sky watching
An evening outing in the mountains to observe the sky with the naked eye and instruments and discover the wonders hidden there. Aimed at all ages with very little walking (0.4km) and lasts around 1 to 2 hours.The aim is to discover what's going on in the sky, and to raise awareness of the workings of our solar system, the universe and the consequences of human activity.
Mini golf
Outdoor course at Ile aux Loisirs (summer). Indoor course at AgorAlp. Grab a club, choose your ball... and off you go for a game full of fun challenges!
Adventure course
Suspended jungle called In'Vertigo which is perched 8m high. No need for a harness, here you're secured by a net stretched below. You've got 30 minutes to get through the air and over all the obstacles. Ages 4/6 accompanied by an adult.
Archery and rifle shooting
Step by step to learn how to hold a bow, aim accurately, release an arrow...and why not, hit the bull's-eye on the first try (or the tenth, that counts too). Summer archery takes place on the Ile aux Loisirs!
Indoor climbing
Come and test the heights of the AgorAlp artificial structure! 12m of climbing, routes rated from 4 to 7a (variable). Supervised classes, equipment included, from age 8 and 2 classes per week for 6/7 year-olds. Free access to the wall outside class (no harness rental, rental of climbing shoes only).
Table tennis
15 table tennis tables, no reservation required.
Alpe d'Huez apres-ski, bars & restaurants
Eating out is an important business in Alpe d'Huez which boasts over 50 restaurants with something for all tastes and pocket.
The Alpe d'Huez resort is often reported as very lively and friendly, so make the most of over 20 bars and nightclubs.
Amenities
Alpe d'Huez has a wide selection of shops and services including food shops (Carrefour, Spar, Sherpa), bakeries, 2 pharmacies, doctors, dentist, physiotherapists, vets, post office, banks, garages, petrol station, gift and souvenir shops, newsagents, hairdressers, beauty salons, fashion stores, jewellery, and sport shops.
Getting to Alpe d'Huez, France
By road:
From Calais, take A26 Motorway to Reims and Troyes, then A5 Motorway to Dijon, then A39 motorway to Lons-le-Saulnier and Bourg-en-Bresse, then A40-A42 Motorway heading towards Lyon. Then take A432 Motorway passing Lyon Airport to A43 Motorway then A48 Motorway to Grenoble. Continue on A480 following directions of Sisteron/Gap/Briançon up to exit 8 (Stations de l’Oisans). Follow direction to Briançon turning on D1091 at Vizille. In Bourg d’Oisans turn left onto D211 towards Alpe d’Huez then onto D25a. Drive through Huez village and then take the 1st Left ‘Entrée Ouest’. Follow this road to the resort centre of Alpe d’Huez.
By air:
4 international airports nearby, and a heliport.
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Alpe d'Huez is roughly 82 miles, approximately 2 hrs
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Alpe d'Huez is roughly 95 miles, approximately 1hrs 55
Geneva Airport to Alpe d'Huez is roughly 130 miles, approximately 2hrs 40
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Alpe d'Huez is roughly 65 miles, approximately 1hrs 30 mins
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
The nearest train station to Alpe d'Huez is 40 miles away (64km) in Grenoble (approx. 1hr).
Resort shuttle bus:
The different areas of Alpe d’Huez are very well connected by the free resort shuttle bus which has various different routes plus a night route.
Electric car charging points:
There are many points available throughout the resort, indoor and outdoor.
