Alpe d’Huez Climb Guide: 21 Hairpins From Bourg d’Oisans

Alpe d’Huez from Bourg d’Oisans: 13.8 km, about 8% average, 21 numbered hairpins and a top at 1,850 m. Stats, history and tips.

By Jonathan Ciaccio November 10, 2026 2 min read

Rider in the Corbah TOUGH jersey on a mountain road lined with pines.

Alpe d’Huez is the climb most riders picture when they think of the Tour de France: 21 numbered hairpins stacked up a mountainside above Bourg d’Oisans.

The numbers

Start: Bourg d’Oisans, 720 m (2,360 ft).
Top: the resort of Alpe d’Huez, 1,850 m (6,070 ft).
Length: 13.8 km (8.6 miles).
Average gradient: about 8%.
Steepest: the early ramps reach about 12%, with short pitches steeper still.
Climbing: about 1,130 m (3,700 ft) from town to the top.
Hairpins: 21, numbered, each carrying the names of stage winners.

Climb figures differ a little from source to source, depending on where each one starts and stops the clock. Where they differ, we give a range or say “about”.

Why it’s famous

The Tour first finished here in 1952, when Fausto Coppi won the race’s first ever summit finish. It didn’t come back until 1976. Dutch riders have won eight Tour stages here, and bend 7 is known as Dutch Corner. A memorial at bend 14 remembers Joaquim Agostinho, who won here in 1979. In 1986 Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond crossed the line together here; read Hinault vs LeMond.

Rider in the Corbah TOUGH jersey climbing a mountain road past pines and granite.

How to ride it

Respect the bottom: the opening ramps are among the steepest, so start slowly.
Count the bends: with 21 numbered hairpins, you always know how much is left.
Know your time: see how long Alpe d’Huez will take you.

The Strava segment

There’s a segment for this climb, and plenty of riders judge their day by where they land on it. Set an honest time on your first go, without blowing up, then come back and beat it. The King and Queen of the Mountain crowns are for the very fastest; for most of us the real target is a personal best.

What to wear up it

Something worth the photo at the top. Our Climbs jerseys are drawn from the mountains: the Mont Ventoux Mistral, Contour and TOUGH After the Climb. Each is made to order, with free personalization.

More climbs: famous Strava climbs.

Strava is a trademark of Strava, Inc. Corbah isn’t connected to Strava; this is our own guide.

Written by Jonathan Ciaccio at Corbah

Corbah designs original cycling jerseys and kit, made to order with free personalization on every jersey. Want one that's only yours? Request a free custom design.