Overview
Ride in the pedal-strokes of Legends
Our HighRoad Southern Alps cycling tour is an epic 8-day bike tour that rolls over some of the most outstanding scenery in the French Alps, crossing no fewer than 8 Tour de France mountain passes (including Col du Galibier, Col d’Izoard and Cime de la Bonette – the highest paved through-road in Europe) and finishing on the sparkling Mediterranean shores of Nice!
It’s no lie, these climbs are hard; that’s why we’ve searched high and low for quality, comfortable accommodation and great local restaurants all along your route through the Alps.
Like all our HighRoad Tours, we keep van transfers to a minimum. Once you are in the Alps with us, you will be mostly on your bike all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
For 2023 we will only be offering HighRoad Southern Alps to private groups. If you have a group of 6 or more riders, contact us.
HighRoad Southern Alps is one of our ‘Hors Catégorie’ tours, which are reserved for strong riders who can handle multiple days of long distances and sustained, steep gradients.
*Qualifies as a stage of Project Trans-Alps
INCLUDED
Tour Price
- Double occupancy: €3900
- Single Supplement: €700
- Deposit: €500 per person
Accommodation and Dining
- 7 nights accommodation at hand-picked hotels
- All breakfasts, lunches and 6 dinners (including wine)
- Cycling nutrition, snacks and water on your rides
Support
- GPX files of each day’s routes
- Support van that will be on the road with you, offering assistance, encouragement, and food and drinks.
- 44|5 Cycling Tours jersey and water bottle
- Pick up and drop off at Nice airport
- All baggage transport
NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to France
- Alcohol outside dinner
- Hotels before and after your tour
- Personal expenses, such as mini-bar, telephone or souvenir purchases
- Rental bikes (we can help with this)
Day to Day
Your typical day in the Southern French Alps begins with a healthy buffet breakfast, followed by a ride in these beautiful mountains. Most rides will end back at your hotel (or the next one along the route) for a post-effort lunch. However, on longer days in the saddle (Day 4 and 7 for example) it will be a quick – and light – lunch on the road. You will always have a few hours in the afternoon to relax and explore your surroundings before we meet for a dinner of delicious local fare.
Accommodations
Accommodation for HighRoad Southern Alps ranges from Swiss chalets to Côte d’Azur chic. Many of our hotels have fantastic restaurants featuring fresh, locally-sourced produce, wifi and comfortable common areas where you can put your feet up and relax in comfort after a good day on the road.
Hotel Vauban
Accommodation for our first 3 nights is at Hotel Vauban, a centrally located and cycling friendly establishment in the heart of Briançon, listed as a World Heritage Site since 2008. Your hotel is also ideally situated for access to some of the most famous Tour de France climbs in the Alps – Col du Galibier and Col d’Izoard, to name just two (yes, we’ll be climbing both!).
Hotel Azteca
Right in the center of Barcelonnette, this friendly hotel is minutes from the restaurants and shops of town. The Ubaye Valley is a cycling mecca, with access to multiple giant cols in the beautiful Mercantour National Park. If you have any aches and pains, the Azteca has an attached spa: well-earned massages can be arranged!
Chalet Suisse
On our penultimate night we stay in the pine-scented ski resort of Valberg, only 80 km from the Mediterranean, but more reminiscent of a Swiss village. After checking in you are free to walk around the town, relax in your comfortable room, or enjoy a cold beverage on their sunny terrace!
Hotel Nice Riviera
Dates & Prices

Tour Dates – Only custom dates for 2024
Tour Availability – Groups of 5 or more welcome
Price Per Person – €3900
Single Supplement – €700
Not the best date for you? Contact us to create a custom trip.
Travel Details
Gallery
What our Guests have to say about HighRoad Alps Tours
Outstanding Tour
John and Gerry provided an outstanding tour of the Alps and Provence, including Mt. Ventoux, for 11 riders and their spouses. The tour was well-organized and included activities for non-riders, interesting dinners, and wine tasting. John and Gerry went out of their way to ensure that everyone had a good experience and even took photographs… Read more “Outstanding Tour”
Best Tour Company
I have been riding with John and Gerry, the co owners of 44|5 Cycling Tours, since 2014. Since then I have been back to France every year to ride with them. I have done their tours in the Cevennes Mountains, the Alps, and the Pyrenees. I have done their Provence Breakaways and Ventoux Breakaways. I… Read more “Best Tour Company”
Excellent Trip
We had a group of 15 – 11 riders and 4 non-riders for a 10 day custom trip, climbing big hills, eating and enjoying the French ambiance of the area. We’re a “diverse” group, requiring significant adaptation, both before and during the trip. John and Gerry are patient and accommodating throughout, As a result, we… Read more “Excellent Trip”