Col de la Loze Challenge


See you on 19 July 2026
 Col de la Loze Challenge

Road biking

Brides-les-Bains, the perfect base camp for cyclists

Brides-les-Bains, the perfect base camp for cyclists

 

Nestled in the heart of the most stunning mountain scenery, Brides-les-Bains is the perfect base to explore the Alpine passes on a road bike.

With quality accommodation and facilities, this village in the Savoie region is the gateway to some truly legendary cycling routes.

Brides-les-Bains could just be the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to get (back) in the saddle

 

Road biking

Iconic Alpine Routes to Discover by Road Bike

Iconic Alpine Routes to Discover by Road Bike

Highly prized by professional cyclists, the Alpine circuits boast countless attractions to captivate road bike enthusiasts.

From Brides-les-Bains, the ascents to Col de la Loze and Col de la Madeleine rank among the must-do routes.
Starting from the village or nearby, several climbs let you pedal through stunning mountain landscapes: Méribel climb, Pradier climb, Prioux climb...

Extending the exploration around Brides-les-Bains, many other road bike routes cater to the most demanding cyclists, such as Cormet de Roselend or Col de l’Iseran.

To discover all the routes, check out the dedicated page: Cycling the Alpine passes on a road bike

Road biking

How do I choose my road-cycling route?

How do I choose my road-cycling route?

Although it’s accessible for beginners, road cycling still requires a certain level of fitness, especially in the mountain environment.

This is a physical activity that will develop your cardio fitness, test your speed and challenge your endurance, power and strength.

To take full advantage of the benefits and the pleasures of cycling, it's essential to choose the right route to suit your level of ability (and all the necessary protective kit!).

Short or long distances; riding time; difficulty; elevation; solo, with friends or in a team; leisure cycling or racing, etc.

There are so many things to consider when choosing an appropriate road cycling route.

Activities

Other activities at Brides-les-Bains

Other activities at Brides-les-Bains

As well as being a rewarding activity in itself, road cycling has the huge advantage of also being a mode of transport!

From Brides-les-Bains, you can explore some wonderful natural scenery on two wheels, opening up a whole range of other activities.

You can take a hike through valleys and peaks, wander in the mountains within the Parc de la Vanoise, discover local wildlife and cultural sites, play golf, try via ferrata or water-based activities.

Suitable for various types of roads and paths, mountain bikes can offer a pleasant alternative to a standard road bike.

There are many ways to combine cycling with other activities so you can enjoy changing things up.

Bikes in Brides-les-Bains: events and partnerships

Gran Fondo Col de la Loze

Col de la Loze Challenge

Col de la Loze Challenge

In the heart of the 3-Valleys area, the Col de la Loze links the resorts of Méribel and Courchevel.


At an altitude of 2,304 m, it's only accessible by bike or on foot.
Well known for its difficulty level, the ascent can be made via the slopes of Méribel or Courchevel (the more accessible option).


The Col de la Loze was the playground of cycling pros at the Tour de l’Avenir in 2019, a legendary stage at the 2020 Tour de France and seems to be on the bucket list of an ever-increasing number of cycling enthusiasts.


Departing from Brides-les-Bains, the route takes you just over 22 kilometres towards the Col de la Loze (featuring 1,715 metres of elevation with some sections having a 20% gradient!).

The local authority has held the “Col de la Loze Challenge” cycling sportive every summer since 2020.

Featuring various race formats, access to e-bikes and staggered start options for women, this extraordinary challenge combines a love of cycling with the most stunning scenery.

Road biking

How can I prepare for my Alpine mountain pass cycling trip?

How can I prepare for my Alpine mountain pass cycling trip?

Brides-les-Bains famously boasts a wide variety of winter and summer activities, while also being the perfect base camp from which to tackle the Alpine mountain passes on a bike.

Whether you're enjoying a weekend away, a short break or a longer holiday, this pleasant village has a range of amenities and specific services, such as group activities, bike storage and hire and places to eat.

All for your pedalling pleasure!

 

More info:  :  for bike hire and maintenance services in Brides-les-Bains, contact : Obiclou (06 79 45 74 17) in Brides-les-Bains, Veloland Mout'n bike in Moûtiers (04 79 40 16 35) and Espace VTT in Courchevel (06 18 08 18 41).

Cycling around Brides

Tougnète high altitude cycle path

Descriptive

A high-altitude trail reserved exclusively for bikes, the climb from Les Menuires to Tougnète offers breathtaking views over the Belleville Valley. This 7km climb can be done on a road bike or an ebike, without the hassle of traffic.

A cousin of the Col de la Loze, this demanding climb offers few moments of respite, but the view over the whole of the 3 Vallées from the top of the pass is breathtaking! The route starts at the Piou-Piou village in Les Menuires.

In the near future, it will even be possible to reach Méribel on the other side. In the meantime, this is an out-and-back route.

A little surprise: at the pass, you'll find a high-altitude restaurant, open in season.

Height difference : 580 m

Distance : 7 km

Duration : 1 h

Altitude : 2430 m

Opening Times :

Closed temporarily.

Services :

  • Accessible via ski lift
  • Accommodation
  • Bicycle washing point
  • Bike inflation
  • Bike repair
  • Repair kit

Equipements :

  • Parking nearby
  • Picnic area
  • Free access.
    Contact
    Téléphone

    04 79 00 73 00

    Address

    1269 avenue de la Croisette
    73440 Les Menuires