Advice on a trip to Alp d'Uez

sampras38
sampras38 Posts: 1,917
edited June 2010 in Tour & expedition
Hi all

Starting to think about another trip to the Alps in France and wondered if anyone knew of any fairly decent but cheap n cheerful hotels close to the Alp D'Uez?

At this stage I'm not sure whether I'll be flying to Grenoble, or driving from the UK, and there will be 2 of us, possibly 4. Most likely it'll be in the summer sometime, but outside of Tour time.

Any tips very much appreciated.

thanks

Comments

  • rmhodv
    rmhodv Posts: 83
    I don't know of any, but you could try HERE
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    rmhodv wrote:
    I don't know of any, but you could try HERE

    Thanks,

    I've had a little scoot around and there are a few sites with links to local hotels, such as this one - http://www.tourism-oisans.com/accomodat ... l#top_page but they don't really tell me much. Bit like a holiday brochure..;-)

    Appreciate the link though..;-)
  • risi
    risi Posts: 231
    If you're open to self catered, try these

    http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/France/Isere/r122.htm or
    http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/alpe-huez.htm

    http://www.grenoblecycling.com/Web-Links.htm has links to some stuff around the Alpe, including http://www.laforetdemaronne.com/site/ma ... x/homepage.

    Don't know what you consider cheap though.
    Specialized Allez
    Trek 6500
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    risi wrote:
    If you're open to self catered, try these

    http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/France/Isere/r122.htm or
    http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/alpe-huez.htm

    http://www.grenoblecycling.com/Web-Links.htm has links to some stuff around the Alpe, including http://www.laforetdemaronne.com/site/ma ... x/homepage.

    Don't know what you consider cheap though.

    Hiya

    If there were shops around I'd have no problem with self catering. I self-catered in Samoens last year when a few of us did the Joux Plane.
  • blorg
    blorg Posts: 1,169
    I would advise staying in Bourg d'Oisans at the foot of the Alpe. You can then tackle the Alpe itself (to be honest not a terribly attractive climb but the history, names painted etc.) and also the Glandon/Croix du Fer, the Lauteret/Galibier, the Sarenne and the likes of the Col du Mort/Col d'Ornon or Les Deux Alps on the other side. All a lot more attractive than the Alpe (haven't been up Les Deux Alpes but have been up the others.)

    If you have a car you have even more options as you can drive and do the other side of the Galibier via the Telegraph or go even further afield to the Izeran etc.

    If you are up for something really long you could do the Glandon, Telegraph and Galibier before descending back to Bourg. Basically the route of the Marmotte (it also goes up the Alpe at the end.) Very very tough mind.

    There are plenty of shops (boulangeries, etc) and a substantial Casino supermarket down in Bourg.

    Key about staying in Bourg and not the Alpe is that if you head out for a spin you don't HAVE to climb up an unbelievable mountain to get home at the end of it. (You still can if you like, it is literally a 14 minute descent to Bourg from up there.)
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    blorg wrote:
    I would advise staying in Bourg d'Oisans at the foot of the Alpe. You can then tackle the Alpe itself (to be honest not a terribly attractive climb but the history, names painted etc.) and also the Glandon/Croix du Fer, the Lauteret/Galibier, the Sarenne and the likes of the Col du Mort/Col d'Ornon or Les Deux Alps on the other side. All a lot more attractive than the Alpe (haven't been up Les Deux Alpes but have been up the others.)

    If you have a car you have even more options as you can drive and do the other side of the Galibier via the Telegraph or go even further afield to the Izeran etc.

    If you are up for something really long you could do the Glandon, Telegraph and Galibier before descending back to Bourg. Basically the route of the Marmotte (it also goes up the Alpe at the end.) Very very tough mind.

    There are plenty of shops (boulangeries, etc) and a substantial Casino supermarket down in Bourg.

    Key about staying in Bourg and not the Alpe is that if you head out for a spin you don't HAVE to climb up an unbelievable mountain to get home at the end of it. (You still can if you like, it is literally a 14 minute descent to Bourg from up there.)

    Thanks Blorg, that's excellent.
  • CumbrianMan
    CumbrianMan Posts: 240
    Agree with what Blorg says, stay at the foot of ADH.

    I've stayed in Chalet Ribot before, on the 12th hairpin, but as you can immediately see, you've gotta climb half way up the Alp each day ! And that's no mean feat if you've just cycled 60, 70 or 80 miles.

    A few weeks ago, we stayed here:- http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p82317
    Have a look at the reviews for what I thought about it. Splendid place. Full of mod-cons, at the foot of the Alpe, and within walking distance of the Casino supermarket and BDO itself, in case you wanna eat out. (And Cycles et Sports bike shop, who are happy to blow up your tyres for free - nice chaps).
    The owners are even thinking of getting some bike tools together, so you won't have to take loads over with you (especially the track pump !).

    Done all the routes that blorg mentions, plus also a lovely ride up to La Berarde, and also from the Alpe, on and over the Col de Sarenne, down towards Mizoen.

    That ride up the Col de la Morte and Col d'Ornon is quite a present ride, after you get off the main road at Sechilienne.

    Hope you enjoy it. :D
    "There are no hills, there is no wind, I feel no pain !"

    "A bad day on the bike is always better than a good day in the office !"
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    CumbrianMan wrote:
    Agree with what Blorg says, stay at the foot of ADH.

    I've stayed in Chalet Ribot before, on the 12th hairpin, but as you can immediately see, you've gotta climb half way up the Alp each day ! And that's no mean feat if you've just cycled 60, 70 or 80 miles.

    A few weeks ago, we stayed here:- http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p82317
    Have a look at the reviews for what I thought about it. Splendid place. Full of mod-cons, at the foot of the Alpe, and within walking distance of the Casino supermarket and BDO itself, in case you wanna eat out. (And Cycles et Sports bike shop, who are happy to blow up your tyres for free - nice chaps).
    The owners are even thinking of getting some bike tools together, so you won't have to take loads over with you (especially the track pump !).

    Done all the routes that blorg mentions, plus also a lovely ride up to La Berarde, and also from the Alpe, on and over the Col de Sarenne, down towards Mizoen.

    That ride up the Col de la Morte and Col d'Ornon is quite a present ride, after you get off the main road at Sechilienne.

    Hope you enjoy it. :D

    looks ideal.. :D
  • pneumatic
    pneumatic Posts: 1,989
    Hotel Edelweiss at La Grave is my favourite. Relaxed atmosphere, great food, stunning view from the terrace and run by cyclists.

    and, no, I don't work there, I was just really impressed with my visit.

    Fast and Bulbous
    Peregrinations
    Eddingtons: 80 (Metric); 60 (Imperial)
  • peter_andrew
    peter_andrew Posts: 373
    Stayed in KYRIAD hotel in Sessyins just in the south of Grenoble. Went during the tour going up AdH.
    Couldnt get anywhere else closer.
    It is a motel very pleasant, good food etc. It is 30 K from the alpe all uphill :shock:
    So you will be warmed up by the time you get there around 75 euro a room
    Right next to the vercours though.

    Peter
  • Dave P1
    Dave P1 Posts: 8
    http://www.fermenoemie.com/campsite.html

    Stayed here last summer they have apartments, mobile homes and camping. Excellent site and recommended to us by other friends and also from a book called coolcamping. If your french is not so good then this site is good as it is owned by an English couple.

    We stayed in the mobile home in the first two weeks of Augustwhich was fine for us and the area didn't seem too busy then either. Located just outside Bourg d'Oisans which we walked to a few times. Bourg is a really nice place with virtually everything you could want.

    On holiday with wife and kids so no bike but I hired a bike to do Alpe D'huez, 35euros for the day (a bit steep but then I could not not do it).

    Definitely going back.

    Dave
  • Hondated
    Hondated Posts: 136
    cycle to the Glandon and then the Croix De Fer as its a tough ride but very satisfying when you complete it. I know because I did it and it took two years and two attempts.The Alpe is also brilliant but unless your like me you probably will not find that too challenging. Finally Les De Alpes is another great climb abd an easy ride fron Boug oisan. Whatever you do enjoy it and you will I am sure want to return and return after.
    hondated
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    blorg wrote:
    I would advise staying in Bourg d'Oisans at the foot of the Alpe. You can then tackle the Alpe itself (to be honest not a terribly attractive climb but the history, names painted etc.) and also the Glandon/Croix du Fer, the Lauteret/Galibier, the Sarenne and the likes of the Col du Mort/Col d'Ornon or Les Deux Alps on the other side. All a lot more attractive than the Alpe (haven't been up Les Deux Alpes but have been up the others.)

    If you have a car you have even more options as you can drive and do the other side of the Galibier via the Telegraph or go even further afield to the Izeran etc.

    If you are up for something really long you could do the Glandon, Telegraph and Galibier before descending back to Bourg. Basically the route of the Marmotte (it also goes up the Alpe at the end.) Very very tough mind.

    There are plenty of shops (boulangeries, etc) and a substantial Casino supermarket down in Bourg.

    Key about staying in Bourg and not the Alpe is that if you head out for a spin you don't HAVE to climb up an unbelievable mountain to get home at the end of it. (You still can if you like, it is literally a 14 minute descent to Bourg from up there.)

    Blorg, I just wanted to thank you for your advice, and we have now booked a week with these guys.

    Looking forward to it.
  • inaperfectworld
    inaperfectworld Posts: 219
    having stayed in bourg d'oisansd and st jean de maurienne i much prefer the latter town .as it is in the next valley you can use telegraphe/galibier on the east side or col du glandon or croix de fer to access bourg d'oisans.
    st jean de maurienne also gives you access also to col de la madeleine, lacets montvernier and col du chaussy and you have 2 ways up the croix de fer- straight from the town or via the col du mollard. the col d'iseran is 50 miles away but there is a train to modane which makes it 30 miles. no need to book on local services and trains frequent enough
    i stayed at hotel cascade in bourg at foot of alp d'huez which is run by a very nice english couple but was not very comfortable, no tv, shared toilet etc.
    both hotel d'europe and hotel bernard in st j de m are good and not too expensive. patron of hotel d'europe is a bike enthusiast. i like st j de m as it is a proper working town (there is an aluminium works outside of the town) . it has a small cathedral and feels less touristy. it is also on the train line for local and tgv services.
  • inaperfectworld
    inaperfectworld Posts: 219
    ps if you are in bourg d'oisans make a trip up to la berade; it is a turning to the right off the road to lauteret at les clapiers. many think the most beutiful valley in the alps and with good reason in my view.. it is a dead end as there are impassable mountains on 3 sides at the valley head. there is a very eccentric cafe in st christophe d'oisans.
    if you are in st jean de maurienne try "mont corbier" a digestif made in the town
  • matty3sixty
    matty3sixty Posts: 7
    I used to live in Les Deux Alpes, and would heartily recommend it as a base for most of that area of the Alps from Galibier, Glandon, Huez all in easy reach with a not too taxing climb home.

    Also a nice little bar/resto/hotel at the foot of the Deux Alpes climb for a quick break before returning home.
  • ecrinslodge
    ecrinslodge Posts: 45
    Take a look a www.ecrinslodge.com for very nice specialist catered cycling accommodation near the start of the Alpe d'Huez climb.
    Specialists in Bike Holidays
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    Hondated wrote:
    cycle to the Glandon and then the Croix De Fer as its a tough ride but very satisfying when you complete it. I know because I did it and it took two years and two attempts.The Alpe is also brilliant but unless your like me you probably will not find that too challenging. Finally Les De Alpes is another great climb abd an easy ride fron Boug oisan. Whatever you do enjoy it and you will I am sure want to return and return after.

    Got back today and had an absolute blast. Weather was amazing (30-33 every day) and we road pretty much every climb in the area including the following;-

    St Christophe
    Glandon
    Croix De Fer
    Alp Duez 3 times, including 1 timed ride

    We also did a great ride that started in Bourg, went up the Alp Duez, then back down to turn 16 where you turn off and start climbing again for a fair while until you end up riding alongside the mountain with the lake below you. The views on that riide were extra special but I also particularly enjoyed the views up the Glandon and Croix De Fer. A bit disappointed we weren't able to do the Galibier but we just ran out of time.

    An incredible trip and I will be back...;-)

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