How Many Bends Are Really on Alpe d’Huez? The Truth Behind the Famous 21 Virages

How Many Bends Are Really on Alpe d’Huez? The Truth Behind the Famous 21 Virages ?

Most cyclists believe Alpe d’Huez has 21 bends. The signs say 21. The legends say 21. Every Tour de France broadcast repeats it.

But after riding it myself, counting every turn, I can tell you—
there are more than 21. Way more. And if you’ve only ridden to the “tourist finish,” you might not even know they exist.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every bend, every surprise, and the real number of hairpins on Alpe d’Huez.

Start of the Climb: Can You Trust the 21 Bends?

At the bottom of the climb, I wasn’t chasing a fast time.
My goal: document the climb bend by bend.

Right away, things felt strange.
The sign claimed only four riders had climbed that day—but I’d already seen more.

It made me wonder:
If the rider count is wrong…
are the famous 21 bends accurate either?

The only way to know: start climbing.

21 Bends or Alpe d'Huez are a myth

Bend 21 – The Real Beginning of Alpe d’Huez

  • Gradient: 11.1%
  • Elevation above sea level: 770 m
  • Distance: 13 km
  • Location: “Les 21 Virages de l’Alpe d’Huez”

Every bend on Alpe d’Huez has its own sign and its own Tour de France story.
But what you quickly realise is this:

These 21 bends aren’t the whole climb—only the officially counted hairpins.

And the surprises start earlier than you’d think.

The Middle Section: Climbing, Counting… and a Camera Breakdown

Somewhere between Bend 15 and Bend 13, my camera overheated.
But the road didn’t stop twisting.
If anything, this middle part feels even steeper and more relentless.

Bend 9

The best viewpoint on the entire climb.
A perfect place to look back at the bends you’ve already conquered.

Bend 7 – Dutch Corner

During the Tour de France a sea of orange.
Today? Not very orange, but a great spot to refill your bottles and take in the views of the church

Bend 4

By now you’re deep into Tour de France territory.
Fans, applause, and that feeling of “I’m really doing this.”

Bend 2 to the Tourist Finish: The Part Most Riders Know

Bend 2 signals you’re close to the classic finish line.
This is where most riders stop their GPS and head for a coffee.

But the climb is not over.
Not even close.

Beyond Bend 1: The Secret Extra Bends of Alpe d’Huez

Most people stop at the Alpe d’Huez Village finish before the bend but the road continues.

The Tunnel Bend

Straight after the tourist finish, you hit a tunnel.
Is this Bend 22?
It definitely feels and looks like one even if its hidden inside a tunnel.

Bend Zero

Yes—Bend Zero exists.
It’s used during the charity event Alpe d’HuZes, and most riders never even notice it.

A sign at the top confirms it: Virage 0.
A bend that technically comes after Bend 1 and the Village tourist finish.

The Final Roundabout Bend

Just before the true top of Alpe d’Huez, you make one final sweeping turn into the village.

That bend counts too.

So, How Many Bends Are There on Alpe d’Huez?

If you ride the full route to the real summit, not just the tourist finish:

👉 24 bends in total

  • The original 21 bends
  • The tunnel bend
  • Bend Zero (“Virage 0”)
  • The final roundabout bend

The “21 bends of Alpe d’Huez” is a myth—
the complete climb has 24.

Why This Matters for Cyclists

Understanding the real structure of the climb helps with:

  • Pacing
  • Energy management
  • Knowing when the effort actually ends
  • Planning charity climbs like Alpe d’HuZes
  • Optimising your data for training or coaching

It also makes the climb feel more honest.
You’re not imagining those last painful turns—they’re real bends, with real elevation.

Watch the Full Ride

If you want to see the exact route, all the bends, and the hidden turns:

Check out my Alpe d’Huez videos, including:

Conclusion: Alpe d’Huez Is More Than Just 21 Bends

The legend says 21.
But reality says 24.

Whether you’re climbing for fun, for training, for charity, or to relive a Tour de France stage, remember:

The climb isn’t over until after the village roundabout.