Route des Grandes Alpes

You should be at ease on the road and in tight bends: the tour is rated Intermediate. It is all on tarmac, but the stages string together high mountain passes, with hairpins on the way up and down. If you ride regularly, you will enjoy every pass; if in doubt, your adviser will help you decide.

Between 85 and 130 miles (140 to 205 km), about 660 miles (1,065 km) over the six riding days. In the mountains, that makes a full day with the stops: photos at the top of the passes, coffee on a terrace, lunch on the way. Distances will be confirmed by GPS during our scouting ride in spring 2027.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, light and agile in the hairpins, hired for the six riding days, fuel included. It is A2 compatible: you need a full motorcycle licence, category A or A2.

No: we ride its heart, from the passes of the Beaufortain to the Cime de la Bonette, on a loop from Lyon, which saves two long transfers. You ride the most famous passes of the route, Cormet de Roselend, Iseran, Galibier, Izoard and Vars, go up to La Bonette, then ride home through the Vercors, the Gorges de la Bourne and the Combe Laval.

Yes, pillions are welcome: the whole route is on tarmac. A pillion pays £2,790, and a seat in the support van is available for a stage if one of you needs a break.

We meet you on day 1 at Lyon airport or railway station and drive you to our partner garage in Sain-Bel, 15 miles west of Lyon; the return transfer on day 8 is included too. From the UK, fly to Lyon Saint-Exupéry, or take the Eurostar to Paris and a TGV to Lyon, about two hours.

In August the high passes are open, but a storm or fog can make a crossing unpleasant: the tour leader then adapts the route or the timing. Pack waterproofs and a warm layer: at the top of the Iseran or La Bonette, above 2,700 m (8,900 ft), it is often chilly even in summer.

Seven nights in comfortable 3 and 4 star hotels, in Beaufort, Val d'Isère, Briançon, Barcelonnette, Villard-de-Lans and near Sain-Bel, full board, in a twin room shared with another rider. A single room is available for a £390 supplement.

Not during the tour, which stays on the road. But our off-road training courses run nearby, in the Beaujolais, from March to November: a good way to extend your stay or prepare for a future tour with tracks.