Alpe d'Huez Triathlon
Bourg-d'Oisans (swim) to Alpe d'Huez (finish), France · July/August · Independent (French festival, 20th edition in 2026)
Course: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 28 km (17.4 mi) bike, 6.4 km (4.0 mi) run. Triathlon M per the organiser: 1.5 km (0.93 mi) swim, 28 km (17.4 mi) bike, 6.4 km (4.0 mi) run. Close to Olympic in swim and total time, with a 14 km (8.7 mi) mountain climb as the bike. One older training page lists 1.2 km / 6.7 km (older edition).
Why people love it
- Bike climbs the 21 Tour de France hairpins, about 14 km (8.7 mi), then the run finishes in the resort.
- Clear mountain reservoir swim; Racecheck rates water quality 4.84 of 5.
- Racecheck averages 4.78 of 5 from 191 reviews, mostly from the Long course.
- Five-day festival with about 3,000 triathletes gives a big-event atmosphere.
Watch out for
- Bike gains about 1,100 m (3,600 ft) in 14 km (8.7 mi); bring easy gears.
- T2 and the run are at 1,800 m (5,900 ft); the air is thin and the paths are rocky.
- Swim and finish are about 14 km (8.7 mi) apart, so plan kit transport and bike rack-in.
- Water is 14 to 17 °C (57 to 63 °F) while valley air can pass 30 °C (86 °F).
- Only the Medium and Long are offered, with no sprint. Most written reviews cover the Long.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.
Toughness: Extreme
- Racer satisfactionBucket list4.5
Racecheck averages 4.78 of 5 from 191 reviews, mostly Long course; a 2014 report on the shorter race called it a bucket-list day. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.4
Staff and communication score near the top; slow bib pickup and only eight toilets for about 1,800 Long-course athletes were noted. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding1.9
Experienced athletes only, per reviewers; 28 km (17 mi) bike includes the 14 km (8.7 mi) climb. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialVery slow1.3
Climb and altitude make this a bucket-list day, not a fast one. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.3
Wetsuits were worn in 14 °C (57 °F) water in 2014 and the cold water makes them the norm. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureUncomfortable2.3
Mountain reservoir reported at 14 to 17 °C (57 to 63 °F) in 2009 and 2014. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.2
The 2009 report describes a clear, calm lake; no chop complaints. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.5
1.5 km (0.93 mi) in clear water, with a crowded gun start. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.4
Racecheck rates water quality 4.84 of 5 and reviewers call the water clear. · Medium confidence
- Swim supportGood3.5
Support is not described by athletes; the 2014 gun start put about 1,300 swimmers in the water together. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.7
Paved mountain road; athletes do not discuss its condition. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.0
No traffic complaints from reviewers on the climb. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.8
Racecheck reviewers rate the bike scenery about 4.8 of 5 on the hairpins. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.4
Wind is not discussed by athletes. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedVery slow1.3
Climb dominates the bike. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.0
About 1,100 m (3,600 ft) in 14 km (8.7 mi). · High confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.4
One point-to-point climb with no laps, but the swim and finish are in different places. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong4.0
A week-long festival with about 3,000 triathletes brings a large crowd to the resort. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.0
Aid stations were well stocked on the Long course; an old 2009 report found them short of volunteers. · Medium confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.6
Racecheck run scenery sits around 4.6 of 5. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsHard2.4
Run starts after the climb at 1,800 m (5,900 ft). · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessHilly2.4
Rocky paths at altitude, hillier than expected. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool2.7
Valley air can top 30 °C (86 °F) and the climb is hot and exposed. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.4
Reports mention heat rather than cancellations; mountain weather can still change. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.8
Alpine lake and resort setting praised in every report. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.5
Finish is in the resort, but the swim start is 14 km (8.7 mi) away. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeHigh altitude1.3
T2 and the run are at 1,800 m (5,900 ft); the swim is at 700 m (2,300 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.8
A festival of about 3,000 triathletes fills the resort; book early. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.2
No price evidence from athletes. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityMostly driving2.2
Swim and finish are 14 km (8.7 mi) apart, so people and kit need transport. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.8
Mountain resort at the top of a long road climb; athletes say little about getting there. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity2.5
Two sites 14 km (8.7 mi) apart means planning kit transport and bike rack-in. Packet pickup took minutes in 2014. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.8
Ski resort with cafes and restaurants; athletes say little. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Bourg-d'Oisans (swim) to Alpe d'Huez (finish), Isere, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
- Typical month
- July/August
- Latest or next date
- 29 July 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (French festival, 20th edition in 2026)
- Field size
- About 1,000 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 28 km (17.4 mi) bike, 6.4 km (4.0 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lac du Verney (reservoir at 700 m / 2,300 ft) (reservoir)
- Water temperature
- 14–17 °C (57–63 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Worn in every report found (14 C / 57 F in 2014); French federation temperature rule not verified
- Swim start
- mass or large-wave start in earlier years (about 1,300 swimmers in 2014); current format not published
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 1,100 m (3,610 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Alpe d'Huez 21 hairpins, 13.8 km (8.6 mi) at 8.1 percent average
- Run climbing
- 170 m (560 ft)
- Air temperature
- 15–32 °C (59–90 °F)
- Humidity
- low
- Altitude
- 1,800 m (5,910 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Grenoble Alpes-Isere (GNB) / Lyon (LYS), 70 km (43 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Bourg-d'Oisans, Alpe d'Huez resort
- Booking
- Five-day festival (about 3,000 triathletes across all races): resort beds and Bourg-d'Oisans hotels fill up; book months ahead. Estimate, no price data found.
What racers and reviewers say
- RacecheckRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Average 4.78 of 5 from 191 reviews (2026 average 4.77). Reviewers agree on top-class staff, communication and finish area, clear water, and beautiful but hard courses: 52 percent call it very challenging and 81 percent praise the festival atmosphere. Heat and slow bib pickup came up; reviewers suggest it suits experienced athletes chasing a bucket-list day. Most written reviews are from the L, with some M and duathlon.
- DC RainmakerRaced 2014 · blog · Positive
2014 report on the short course. About 1,300 swimmers took a gun start in 14 °C (57 °F) water in wetsuits. The bike had a flat 20 km (12.4 mi), then a 13.8 km (8.6 mi) climb of 1,100 m (3,600 ft). T2 sat at the top. Packet pickup took minutes, and he praised the week-long festival.
“definitely a bucket-list triathlon”
- Gordo Byrn on SubstackRaced 2024 · blog · Positive
Long-course report (2.2 km (1.4 mi) / 1.4 mi swim, 118 km (73.3 mi) / 73 mi bike, 3,200 m (10,500 ft) / 10,500 ft of climbing). Rolling swim start where athletes place themselves, hot exposed climb, a hose at the top of the run, well-stocked aid stations but only eight toilets for about 1,800 athletes. Useful for venue and organisation, not the Medium course.
- Slowtwitch forumRaced 2009 · forum · Mixed
Old long-course race report: 17 °C (63 °F) lake that was very clear and calm, a very hot bike that dehydrated riders on the Alpe, and a hillier run than expected. Aid stations were short of volunteers at the time, which has since improved according to recent Racecheck reviews. Dated and long course only.
- Alpe d'Huez Tourisme (event listing)Raced 2026 · article · Positive
Lists the 20th edition and the formats: M is 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 28 km (17.4 mi) bike, 6.4 km (4 mi) run in Lac du Verney and up the 21 hairpins. Organiser material, used only for distances.
Raced Alpe d'Huez Triathlon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Alpe d'Huez Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.