The Marmotte Granfondo Alpes returns on Sunday, June 28, 2026, with its 177km route through four major Alpine cols and 5,000 metres of elevation gain. Around 7,500 riders are expected to start from Bourg d'Oisans and finish atop Alpe d'Huez in one of Europe's most demanding amateur mountain sportives.
Three event formats are on offer. The flagship Granfondo covers the full distance in a single day. La Rando des Marmottes splits the same route across two days (97km on June 27, 80km on June 28), with the organisation transporting bags between stages. And the Grimpée Alpe d'Huez, a standalone 13km hill climb with 1,100m of elevation, starts at 16:00 on June 26 for those who want a focused effort on the famous 21 bends.
The route, col by col
The first 10km out of Bourg d'Oisans are flat, a deceptive warm-up before the Col du Glandon begins. At 24km long with an average gradient of 4.8%, the Glandon is a long, uneven opener that can drain legs if ridden too aggressively. Once over the summit, the descent is neutralised with timing frozen for safety.
The Maurienne Valley floor provides a brief reset before the day's centrepiece: the Télégraphe (1,570m) and Galibier (2,645m), back to back. This block accounts for roughly 2,000m of climbing over 35km. A feed station at Valloire, roughly halfway along the full route, sits between the two ascents. The organisers note that personal lighting is mandatory for several poorly lit tunnels on the approach to the Galibier summit, where a cut-off of 15:30 applies.
After the Galibier, riders descend via the Col du Lautaret back towards Bourg d'Oisans, where a second cut-off of 17:45 waits at the foot of Alpe d'Huez. The final climb takes in the 21 bends, with the first two averaging 13%. Past participants describe the finish as a mix of fatigue, pain and satisfaction. The fastest riders complete the course in around 5 hours 45 minutes; the slowest take up to 13 hours.
Start logistics and cut-offs
Start number pick-up runs from 05:30 to 06:30 at the roundabout of the D211/D1091 in Bourg d'Oisans. Riders are assigned to colour-coded start pens based on previous results or, for first-timers, an estimated finish time. Pen assignments cannot be changed on race morning.
Departures are staggered: the green and orange pens leave at 06:30, blue at 06:50, red at 07:10. The registration pack includes a frame plate, route sheet, chip timing, access to official feed stations stocked by sports nutrition partner 226ERS, and a souvenir item.
The route is not closed to traffic. Past participants report cars on the climbs, and the organisers stress that rider safety remains each individual's responsibility. Support vehicles are forbidden, but personal assistance is permitted off the road on the right side with the bicycle stopped. Riders should carry their own tools and spares for mechanical issues.
A medical certificate attesting fitness for competitive cycling (dated, signed, stamped, valid within one year) or a current FFC, FFTRI, FFGT or Ufolep licence is required. Foreign licences are accepted provided they required a medical examination.
Getting to Bourg d'Oisans
Grenoble-Isère Airport is the closest option at 91km. Lyon Airport sits 139km away, and Geneva Airport is 192km from Bourg d'Oisans. From Grenoble, the drive takes roughly an hour.
Riders without a car can take the train to Grenoble SNCF station and catch a Transaltitude bus to Bourg d'Oisans; the bus station sits about 50 metres from the train station, and schedules are designed to align with main train arrivals. Ben's Bus also runs a shuttle from Grenoble Airport to Bourg d'Oisans with a journey time of around 1 hour 35 minutes. Third-party operators such as Sportive Breaks offer group airport transfers from Geneva at £185 per person return.
Where to stay
The event's official accommodation page directs riders to the Alpe d'Huez and Oisans tourism offices and partner site Bike Oisans. In Bourg d'Oisans itself, hotels include Sport'Hotel-Aparthotel de Milan, Hôtel Oberland, Hotel Le Terminus and Hotel Des Alpes. BO Lodge is another option in town.
Those preferring to stay at altitude in Alpe d'Huez can find Hotel Le Petit Prince, Hotel Pop Alp, Hotel Le Castillan and Hotel Le Dome, all listed by package operators. Booking early is advisable given the event draws a heavily international field; in previous years around 90% of participants have come from abroad.
Two campsites sit close to Bourg d'Oisans: Camping Le Colporteur and Camping à la Rencontre du Soleil, the latter offering pool facilities.
Weather and preparation
No verified forecast for June 28, 2026, is available yet, but the organisers warn riders to prepare for rain and wind alongside heat. Past participant reports describe valley temperatures in the low 30s°C, with conditions on exposed upper slopes varying sharply. The Galibier summit sits at 2,645m, where temperatures can drop even in late June.
The organisers say the Granfondo requires regular training with sufficient climbing volume. La Rando des Marmottes, splitting the effort across two days, is positioned as a more accessible entry point for riders who want to experience the route without the pressure of a single-day effort. Rando participants must be at least 15 years old, with minors accompanied by an adult.
After the finish
The pasta party opens at 12:00 at Alpe d'Huez, well before most riders finish. The prize ceremony follows at 16:00. An expo village runs across the race weekend from June 25, with animations at Alpe d'Huez alongside number pick-up on Friday and Saturday. Bourg d'Oisans itself sits at the gateway to six Oisans valleys and the Écrins National Park, offering plenty of options for those extending their stay beyond race day.
Cover image credit: A.Broadway/ASO
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