It’s a place of pilgrimage for sport. One of those places where enthusiasts thrill to the idea that great champions who have written legends have passed through here: the Tour de France, of course, but also the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon. Here’s a closer look at the Oisans, the dream region for triathletes in search of diversity… and family holidays!
A cycling temple
L’Alpe d’Huez and its 21 legendary laces are among the Oisans’ most iconic spots, but they don’t overshadow the region’s other famous climbs, including the Glandon, Croix de Fer and Galibier passes. Each year, more and more triathletes take advantage of their participation in the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon and their stay to cover these legendary routes. Thanks to its “Oisans Cols Series” initiative, every Tuesday morning in July and August the region offers a car-free ascent, with no predefined start time and no official stopwatch: the perfect way to get in a good workout! With a multitude of mountain roads within easy reach, the Oisans is an ideal base camp for a training holiday… especially as the playground isn’t just for road bikes.
In fact, the Oisans is also great for mountain biking. There’s nothing like an enduro or cross-country outing, particularly on the dedicated courses at Alpe d’Huez: ideal for building endurance and doing threshold or VMA sessions! Mountain biking is a great way to prepare for a triathlon while enjoying the great outdoors.
Paths and swimming pools for running and swimming
Nature in the Oisans is equally generous when it comes to running, with a multitude of hiking trails for trail runners. The diversity of itineraries, from the smoothest for triathletes to the most technical, all offer sumptuous panoramas of the Alpine peaks. In fact, there are four spots with the ” Trail Resort ” label, offering 470 km of marked paths where you can train at altitude in unique conditions.
Last but not least, thanks to the high quality facilities at l’Alpe d’Huez, Vaujany and Bourg-d’Oisans, you can train for a swim in indoor or outdoor pools.
Activities for the whole family
While you’re training or after your intense sessions, there’s nothing like spending time together as a family enjoying a range of different leisure activities: paragliding is a thrill, horse-riding allows you to take a relaxing stroll along the trails, while lazing by the many lakes is a great way to recharge your batteries. Visits to traditional villages and the “Route des Savoir-faire” offer a wealth of heritage and gastronomic delights. Of course, hiking – Oisans offers about 900km of tracks – brings the whole family together, whatever their level.
