Enchanting and magnificent, Savoie attracts more and more tourists every year in search of sumptuous landscapes and outdoor activities. Why not give Savoie a try?
In the heart of the Alps, Savoie offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Skiing, paragliding, snowboarding, tobogganing, hiking, snowshoeing and biking are the favorite activities of tourists in search of breathtaking scenery. And it’s precisely to satisfy all your desires and expectations that Generation Voyage has created this guide to the best bike tours in Savoie.
So, to discover the peaks, passes and steep valleys in a different way, are you ready to take to the trails by bike? We’re off!
1. The Col du Galibier from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Peter38
Duration: 4 hours
Ascent: 2,544 metres
Level: difficult
See the Col du Galibier circuit from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne
Because the mountains are a great playground for cyclists, Generation Voyage offers you a bike tour of Savoie via the legendary Col du Galibier. At 70 km long, this tour is hard on the calves because of the numerous climbs. Departing from Saint-Michel-Valloire, this tour takes you through numerous hamlets and forests.
At the top of the pass, the panorama is magnificent, and all the way down, you can enjoy a sumptuous view of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne! Exhausting yet breathtaking, this Savoie bike ride is one of our favorites!
2. Annecy via the Col de Tamié
Photo credit: Wikipedia – B. Brassoud
Duration: 7 hours
Ascent: 2,392 metres
Level: difficult
See the Annecy via Col de Tamié route
This 137 km route between Grenoble and Annecy takes you to Lake Annecy via the Col de Tamié. Pleasant and varied, this Savoie cycling itinerary allows you to admire beautiful landscapes such as the Chartreuse Massif, the Isère Valley, Lake Annecy and the Aravis Massif.
What’s more, on this Savoie bike tour you’ll also be able to see many castles, forts and abbeys. A leap back in time guaranteed! Who says you can’t combine sport and history?
3. From Val d’Isère to Termignon
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Claudio Giovanni Colombo
Duration: 4h20
Ascent: 1,537 metres
Level: difficult
See the circuit From Val d’Isère to Termignon
If you like a challenge, this Savoie bike tour is for you! Climbing the Col d’Iseran (2764 m) is a real feat! But it’s well worth the effort, as it’s one of the most beautiful passes in the Alps! Good luck!
4. From Grand Jeu chairlift to Aussois dam
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Florian Pépellin
Duration: 30 minutes
Difference in altitude: 149 metres
Level: medium
See the circuit From the Grand Jeu chairlift to the Aussois dam
What if, for a change, you opted for an « enduro » course? There’s no particular difficulty here, just an all-terrain course!
In fact, amidst lush green valleys, on stony paths, you’ll discover nature in full bloom! Known for its rare and protected heather(Evita Carnéa), this Savoie bike tour is one of the gentlest and most enjoyable on this list!
5. Col de la Madeleine via La Chambre
Photo credit: Shutterstock – RudiErnst
Duration: 3h20
Ascent: 1,604 metres
Level: difficult
See the Col de la Madeleine route via La Chambre
Long and tiring, this cycling route in Savoie is one of the Tour de France’s must-do events. Many sections are quite demanding, and flat stretches are rare, so remember to take breaks and stay well hydrated.
Like the yellow jersey, you’ll complete this course with panache and, at the summit, you’ll be able to admire an incredible spectacle! Facing you, the majestic Mont-Blanc!
6. The climb to Col de la Loze via Brides-les-Bains
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Kuba Turek
Duration: 3h35
Ascent: 1,679 metres
Level: difficult
See the route ascent to Col de la Loze via Brides-les-Bains
This Savoie bike tour takes you straight to the resort of Méribel! However, before you get there, you’ll have to give it your all, because the pass is a tough one! At 22 km in length, the climb is steep and never seems to end!
But don’t worry, the finish is magnificent, and the efforts made to get there are soon forgotten!
7. From the Grand Jeu chairlift to Aussois
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pierre Jean Durieu
Duration: 1h30
Ascent: 294 metres
Level: medium
See the circuit From Grand Jeu chairlift to Aussois
Like the first « enduro » route in this top, it’s fairly short but not easy! Departing from the Grand Jeu chairlift, this Savoie bike tour promises many surprises before you reach Aussois. Hairpins, slopes, crossings, narrow paths and nettles won’t make it easy!
Despite the many pitfalls, don’t forget to admire the magnificent view over the Lac de Plan d’Aval!
8. Lake Mont Cenis
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Marco Barone
Duration: 2h30
Ascent: 645 metres
Level: medium
See the Lac du Mont Cenis circuit
This cross-country event takes place in a magnificent landscape where fortifications and nature blend harmoniously!
Cycling around Lac du Mont Cenis is a great way to get to know the wilderness and the mountain bike. This Savoie bike tour takes you along narrow, remote paths where civilization is limited to a few marmots.
9. Around Lake Annecy
Photo Credit: Shutterstock – Samuel Borges Photography
Duration: 2h30
Ascent: 456 metres
Level: medium
See the Tour of Lake Annecycircuit
If you’re a two-wheeled enthusiast, this bike tour in Savoie is ideal if you want to visit Lake Annecy while getting in a bit of exercise. If you’re a seasoned cyclist, you can cycle the whole 37 km around the lake!
However, you can also sequence this tour by taking short walks. Along the way, there are lookout points where you can take a break and take photos!
10. Route des Grandes Alpes (Croix de Fer and Lautaret passes)
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Florian Pépellin
Duration: 12h30
Ascent: 5,651 metres
Difficultylevel
See the Route des Grandes Alpes tour
This second itinerary allows Galibier lovers to discover the Oisans valleys. Departing from Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, this Savoie bike tour takes you up the Col de la Croix de Fer and the Col du Lautaret.
Below, you can see the Col du Glandon and, in the distance, the famous Mont-Blanc! Breathtaking and exhausting, this bike ride takes you through an exceptional, unspoilt environment.
11. Le Grand Cerf
Photo credit: Shutterstock – West Edge
Duration: 2h25
Ascent: 1,016 metres
Level: difficult
See the Grand Cerf circuit
This extraordinary Savoie bike tour takes you through Solière, Termignon and Sardières! This cross-country ride, on a wide track, alternates between descents and tight hairpins. Departing from Plan de la Crois, the trail takes you to the Sardières monolith without too much difficulty. Enchanting scenery and an unusual route!
12. Le Cormet de Roselend via Bourg-Saint-Maurice-les-Arcs
Photo credit: Shutterstock – litchi cyril photographe
Duration: 4 hours
Ascent: 1,514 metres
Level: difficult
See the Cormet de Roselend route via Bourg-Saint-Maurice-les-Arcs
A mythical Tour de France pass, the Cormet de Roselend has been crossed eleven times by professional Tour de France cyclists! So, if you’d like to take part in this cycling tour of Savoie, make sure you’re well equipped! Check your bike’s mechanics before setting off, wear a helmet and bring plenty of water.
Quite difficult, this tour requires a good level of physical fitness as well as seasoned cycling experience!
13. The Aix-les-Bains greenway
Photo credit: Flickr – Guilhem Vellut
Duration: less than an hour
Ascent: 245 metres
Level: easy
See the Aix-les-Bains green route
The last Savoie bike tour in this ranking, but not the least! The Aix-les-Bains greenway is accessible to all, and ideal for families with children. Running from Aix-les-Bains to Lac du Bourget, this route winds its way through the heart of nature. Breathtaking scenery, guaranteed spectacle!
Which of these routes is your favorite Savoie bike tour?