Why Morzine Should be Your Next Road Cycling Holiday Destination

Morzine, a charming mountain town located in the heart of the French Alps, has long been a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders during the winter months. However, Morzine is also an excellent destination for road cycling enthusiasts during the summer season. Mountain bikers flock to Morzine for its world-famous bike parks but it’s not just the trails where the fun is happening. With its breathtaking scenery, challenging climbs, and well-maintained roads, Morzine is an ideal destination for any road cyclist looking for an unforgettable experience. Read on for why a Slipstream Adventures holiday in Morzine will be ideal for you.

Discover the Ultimate Road Cycling Destination in Morzine, France

The town of Morzine is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by the French Alps, offering stunning views of the mountains and valleys. Cycling up the Col de la Joux Verte, Col de la Ramaz, or the Col de la Joux Plane, will take your breath away with their stunning vistas. The winding roads through the mountains offer some of the most spectacular and varied scenery in Europe, including beautiful lakes, charming villages, and picturesque valleys. Being nestled in a valley rather than the side of a mountain makes Morzine an ideal location for a road cycling holiday as you have a choice of routes in and out of the town to ease your legs into the alpine roads.

The Cols

One of the main attractions of Morzine for cyclists are the iconic climbs. The town is famous for its mountain passes, including the Col de Joux Plane, which has been featured in the Tour de France several times and will be the ultimate climb of the Tour’s stage 14 this year. The climb starts in Samoëns and is 12.8 km long with an average gradient of 8.5%, making it a true test for any cyclist. Other challenging climbs in the area include the Col de la Ramaz, the Col de la Joux Verte, and the Col de la Colombière. Each of these climbs has its own unique character and scenery, making them a great addition to any cyclist’s bucket list.

But Morzine isn't just for seasoned cyclists. The town also offers a variety of routes for beginners and intermediate riders, with plenty of flat and rolling terrain to explore. Whether you're looking to challenge yourself or just enjoy a leisurely ride through the beautiful countryside, Morzine has something to offer.

Big Events, Quiet Roads

Being a host of some of the biggest races on the world stage including Tour de France, Etape du Tour, and Criterium du Dauphine, the roads in the area are well-maintained, making for smooth and enjoyable rides. The road network of Morzine is vast with main roads following the valley floor meaning you will often have the alpine roads to yourself or just shared with considerate motorists choosing the roads less travelled. With the low volumes of road traffic, smooth roads are kept safer and the tarmac is preserved.

Morzine has a vibrant cycling culture, with a variety of events and competitions held throughout the year. Many of the cafes, bars and restaurants are also cycling-friendly, offering facilities for storing bikes and even free bike washing stations. All of our accommodation is bike-friendly meaning there will be plenty of space to store your bikes. We have washing machines to wash your kit after the ride so you have space in your case for a few other things than 5 pairs of bib shorts.

Your Time Off The Roads

It's not just the cycling that makes Morzine a great destination. The town is surrounded by beautiful forests, meadows, and mountains, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day on the bike.

Morzine is also home to, according to Red Bull, the best mountain bike park in Europe, Portes du Soleil. If you fancy trying mountain biking out we can incorporate this into your holiday. The area is surrounded by businesses offering a variety of mountain sports including canyoning, kayaking, rafting, and paragliding.

If you're looking for a more laid-back experience, Morzine's town centre is full of cafes, restaurants, and bars where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere. There is a network of free buses taking you to Lac Montriond to sunbathe, swim, or paddleboard. Explore the waterfalls of Nyon, Ardent, or Brochaux and take the pace down a little.

Throughout the planning of your holiday with us, we can help plan, book, and organise activities during your downtime and rest day so you make the most of being in a beautiful part of the French Alps.

The Ideal Location

There are also plenty of restaurants serving delicious local and international cuisine, as well as a variety of shops selling cycling gear and bike rentals. Would you like to try a lightweight climbing bike? We can help organise your rental. Love the feel of your own bike and couldn’t imagine leaving it behind? Our transfers include the transportation of your bike.

Its proximity to Geneva airport means you can spend more time enjoying your holiday and less time travelling to it. Geneva airport, only 1 hour and 15 minutes away, is well-served by airlines from all over Europe and the rest of the world with the budget to premium airlines offering flights.

Slipstream Adventures Will Take Care Of It

In conclusion, if you're looking for an unforgettable road cycling holiday, Morzine should be at the top of your list. With its stunning natural beauty, iconic cols, and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, it's the perfect destination for riders of all levels. To find out the best routes to the places we’ve been talking about, the accommodation which is ideal for cyclists, and be spoilt by our chef cooking delicious food, get in touch, pack your bags, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!