La Marmotte Alps Route Guide – Flyby, Distance, Climbs & GPX
La Marmotte Alpes Cyclo Sportive is one of the toughest one-day cycling events in the world.
The official route covers 174 km with over 5,000 metres of climbing, finishing on the legendary Alpe d’Huez.
This page supports the La Marmotte flyby route video, helping you visualise the course, understand where riders struggle, and prepare more intelligently — not just harder.
QUICK La Marmotte FACTS
- Event: La Marmotte Alpes Cyclo Sportive
- Distance: 174 km
- Elevation gain: 5,000 m+
- Start: Bourg-d’Oisans
- Finish: Alpe d’Huez
- Key climbs: Glandon, Télégraphe, Galibier, Alpe d’Huez
La Marmotte Alps Route Overview
The route starts gently from Bourg-d’Oisans towards Allemond, offering the only true warm-up section of the day. This early flat terrain tempts riders into pushing too hard — a mistake that often shows up hours later.
From Rivier d’Allemont, the road rises steadily to the Col du Glandon. This climb is long, irregular, and mentally draining rather than brutally steep. Smooth pacing here is critical.
After the descent to Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines, riders face a gently rising and often hot valley through Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne, where group riding can save vital energy.
The Col du Télégraphe follows — steady, shaded, and deceptive — before a short descent into Valloire.
Next comes the high point of the day: the Col du Galibier, exposed and unforgiving, where early pacing and nutrition mistakes finally surface.
The descent via the Col du Lautaret towards La Grave demands focus, especially when fatigue sets in.
Finally, the route returns to Bourg-d’Oisans before the ultimate test: Alpe d’Huez.
Twenty-one bends.
Why this La Marmotte flyby matters
Most La Marmotte guides focus on training plans, this flyby focuses on route understanding.
Knowing:
where the route feels deceptively easy
where fatigue quietly accumulates
where riders over-exert themselvesoften makes the difference between finishing strong and fading late.
Free La Marmotte GPX Route
If you want the exact La Marmotte GPX file, leave a comment on the YouTube video and complete the form below so that I can send it to you.
Watch La Marmotte Flyby Route
Buy La Marmotte Map
Related rides in the Oisans area
If you’re preparing for La Marmotte while staying in the Oisans check out these routes: