THE GREAT ESCAPE

THE GREAT ESCAPE

FRANCE|ITALY

|

14 - 22 Jul 2026

|

Challenging

Approx. AU$11,172

|

GBP£5,495

|

USD$7,211

|

€6,050.00

START LOCATION

BARCELONNETTE

END LOCATION

AOSTA

DAYS

9

AV. DAILY DISTANCE

90KM | 56MI

AV. DAILY ELEVATION

2000M | 6550FT

A fantastic custom tour for a group of mates who love to ride the French Alps, but need to finish in Italy - goes without saying.

We've tracked down a few more cols these riders haven't ridden yet, plus some Giro highlights from 2025. A great collection that makes for a wonderfully well rounded tour spanning the French | Italian Alpine border.

PuntoTours professional support and service all the way, with Italian coffee and food to cap a grand tour journey. Certo!





PRIVATE CUSTOM TOUR

WHAT'S INCLUDED

BEST ACCOMMODATION (TWIN SHARE) | BREAKFASTS | LUNCHS | DINNERS | GUIDES AND VEHICLE SUPPORT | MECHANICAL SUPPORT | ON-ROAD SNACKS AND SUPPLEMENTS | GPS LOAN UNIT | PUNTOTOURS CYCLING JERSEY, BIB-KNICKS, SOCKS | DAYPACK | BIDONS | LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR CYCLING KIT | GROUP AIRPORT TRANSFER ON DEPARTURE

RECOMMENDED AIRPORTS

ARRIVAL NICE DEPARTURE TURIN

PRICE PER PERSON

TWINSHARE €6,050.00 | SINGLE ROOM €6,800.00

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FULL ITINERARY

DAY ONE TUE 14 JUL | BARCELONNETTE TO BRIANçON

We know you've had some pre-tour 'training', so today's stage is just that. A taste of what the Pro's are up against when they ride the Grand Tours. Stage after Stage in the mountains, racing over these majestic peaks. A ride through grand history as we head to Briançon via the Col de Vars and Col d'Izoard.
DISTANCE | 108KM | 67MI
ELEVATION | 2850M | 9350FT

DAY TWO WED 15 JUL | BRIANçON TO SAINT-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE

From Briançon it is essentially one ascent today but includes three TDF legends, that roll seamlessly together. You can tick off the Col du Lautaret, Col du Galibier and the Col du Télégraphe as we make our way on, shall we say an 'easier' day, to the charming little town of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.
DISTANCE | 85KM | 53MI
ELEVATION | 1700M | 5570FT

DAY THREE THU 16 JUL | CROIX DE FER LOOP RIDE

A fantastic ride, one of Vince's favourites. Today's route takes in two more legends that also smoothly roll into one - the Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer. The average gradient on this climb is no walk in the park, but the views are spectacular.
DISTANCE | 65KM | 40MI
ELEVATION | 1950M | 6400FT

DAY FOUR FRI 17 JUL | SAINT-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE TO BOURG-SAINT-MAURICE

Today's route marks the end of our Tour de France legends as we ascend the tough but beautiful Col de Madeleine from the south. Majestic scenery of green forest, cascading waterfalls and lofty summit. We also ride the feisty Col du Tra, a twisting climb that just missed its TDF debut in 2019 due to bad weather.
DISTANCE | 105KM | 65MI
ELEVATION | 3000M | 9850FT

DAY FIVE SAT 18 JUL | BOURG-SAINT-MAURICE TO AOSTA

At last, make your escape to Italy over the Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo! Included in both the TDF and the Giro d'Italia, this pretty pass with a lake on each side of the border has seen many travellers, including it is believed, Hannibal.
The Colle San Carlo keeps you on your toes as it has for the Giro peloton, before a fantastic downhill all the way to beautiful Aosta.
DISTANCE | 90KM | 56MI
ELEVATION | 2050M | 6720FT

DAY SIX SUN 19 JUL | AOSTA LOOP

Great loop ride to keep the legs turning over after a couple of big days. Today's route has a flatter start for about 10km before climbing to the Colle Panthaleon. The road is steady with panoramic views over the Marmore valley. If the air is clear, soak in the majesty of Mount Cervino and even the Matterhorn. Fast descent and undulating finish, with Italian aperitvi to enjoy.
DISTANCE | 75KM | 47MI
ELEVATION | 1650M | 5400FT

DAY SEVEN MON 20 JUL | TRIP TO PARADISO

Great day in the saddle on an out and back course to the Gran Paradiso National Park. The park marks the border between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont. A scenic day where the steady climb to the summit will be followed by a sensational descent on the way down.
DISTANCE | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATION | 1700M | 5570FT

DAY EIGHT TUE 21 JUL | LOOP TO TZECORE

Today's ride is inspired by Stage 19, which was the Queen Stage of the 2025 Giro d'Italia. We've hand picked the Col de Joux and Col Tzecore for a fittingly epic finish to a tour of grand scale. Celebratory dinner of Italian delight to cap it all off. Piacere!
DISTANCE | 110KM | 68MI
ELEVATION | 2200M | 7200FT

DAY NINE WED 22 JUL | GOODBYE

Morning transfer to Turin, a journey of about 1.5 hours. Plan onward travel from midday.

Time to say farewell, until next time.
Ride safe Puntos!

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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

FLIGHTS | INSURANCES | BIKE HIRE | ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES | PERSONAL HOTEL EXPENSES | PRE- OR POST-TOUR ACCOMMODATION

WHAT KIND OF CYCLISTS TAKE YOUR TOURS?

There is no mold! We have had cyclists from 18-72 years of age, some choosing easy, others choosing extremely challenging tours. We firmly believe we have something for almost all cycling abilities. Use our Difficulty Rating to help you select a tour that suits what you want.  We're happy to talk it over with you if you're unsure.

HOW MUCH RIDING DO I HAVE TO DO?

As much or as little as you want. It’s your holiday.  You determine how much you want to ride. You can, on any day, choose to cut a ride short, miss a climb, only do the downhills, have a rest day or ask for more!  The van is always handy if you choose not to ride, and a guide is always willing to do some extra distance if you wish. You just need to ask.

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