Top 10 'Passport-Free' Alpine Cycling Trails to try at home for a bucket-list climb this weekend. - Goh Ling Yong
The roar of the crowd, the crisp mountain air, the burning in your legs as you conquer another hairpin bend on a legendary Alpine pass—it’s the stuff of cycling dreams. For many of us, the idea of riding the same roads as the giants of the Tour de France or the Giro d'Italia is the ultimate bucket list goal. But let's be real: planning a European cycling trip involves a lot more than just packing your kit. It means flights, bike logistics, accommodation, and taking precious time off.
What if I told you that you could conquer those very same mountains this weekend, without ever needing to dig out your passport? Welcome to the golden age of indoor cycling. Thanks to smart trainers and immersive platforms like Zwift, Rouvy, and FulGaz, the world's most iconic climbs are now just a few clicks away. These aren't just mindless "spin" sessions; these are hyper-realistic simulations that replicate every grueling gradient and breathtaking switchback, demanding the same grit and determination as the real thing.
So, fill your bottles, grab a towel (trust me, you'll need it), and get ready to earn some serious bragging rights. We've curated the top 10 passport-free Alpine-style cycling trails you can ride from the comfort of your own home. It’s time to turn your pain cave into a portal to cycling glory.
1. Alpe d'Huez, France (via Zwift's "Alpe du Zwift")
The undisputed king of bucket-list climbs. With its 21 iconic hairpin bends, each named after a past stage winner, Alpe d'Huez is steeped in Tour de France history. It’s a rite of passage for any serious cyclist, a relentless 13.8 km ascent that averages a punishing 8.1%. Conquering this climb, virtual or not, is a badge of honour.
Zwift’s virtual counterpart, "Alpe du Zwift," is a stunningly accurate recreation. The climb begins after a flat lead-in through the jungle, and as soon as you hit the base, the gradient bites hard and rarely lets up. Each of the 21 numbered hairpins serves as a mental checkpoint, allowing you to break the monumental effort into manageable chunks. The changing scenery, from lush forests at the bottom to the snowy, exposed peak, keeps the experience engaging even as your legs are screaming.
Pro Tip: Pacing is everything. It's incredibly tempting to go out too hard on the first few bends. Instead, settle into a sustainable rhythm you can hold for an hour or more. Use the hairpins as a micro-recovery; the gradient often eases slightly on the inside of the turn, giving you a brief moment to catch your breath. And don't forget the reward: reaching the summit on Zwift enters you into a prize draw for in-game items like the coveted Lightweight Meilenstein wheels!
2. Mont Ventoux, France
Known as "The Giant of Provence," Mont Ventoux is a beast of a climb, famous for its intimidating, moon-like summit. The final 6 kilometers are completely exposed to the elements, making the real-world ascent a battle against wind as much as gravity. It’s a climb that has broken legends and created heroes, most notably in the tragic story of Tom Simpson.
Virtually, platforms like Rouvy and FulGaz offer breathtakingly realistic video ascents that capture the desolate beauty of the final kilometers. You’ll pedal from the sheltered forests around Bédoin up into the barren, white limestone landscape that gives Ventoux its iconic look. The gradient is severe and unrelenting, often hovering in the 9-10% range for long stretches. This is a mental battle as much as a physical one.
Pro Tip: Break the climb into three parts: the forest, the chalet, and the summit. The forest section is steep but consistent. When you reach the Chalet Reynard, take a moment to regroup, as this is where the real fight begins. The final 6 km are exposed and mentally taxing. Focus on your breathing and a smooth pedal stroke. This is one where a good playlist can make all the difference.
3. Stelvio Pass, Italy
If you’ve ever seen a picture of a winding mountain road that looks like a tangled ribbon draped over a mountain, it was probably the Stelvio Pass. Located in the Italian Alps, the Stelvio is famous for its 48 hairpin turns on the Prato side. It’s one of the highest and most dramatic paved passes in Europe, and a true test of climbing and descending skill.
Riding the Stelvio on a platform like Rouvy is a visual feast. The augmented reality videos put you right on the road, allowing you to experience the sheer scale of the mountain. As you grind your way up, you can see the seemingly endless wall of switchbacks rising above you. It’s both terrifying and motivating. The gradient isn’t as consistently brutal as some other climbs on this list, but its sheer length and altitude make it a formidable challenge.
Pro Tip: Use the hairpins to your advantage. As you virtually "steer" through the switchbacks, stand up on the pedals for a few strokes to stretch your back and use different muscles. As my friend and mentor Goh Ling Yong always says, changing your position, even for a few seconds, is key to staying comfortable on these epic climbs.
4. Col du Tourmalet, France
The Col du Tourmalet is the most frequently used climb in the history of the Tour de France, and for good reason. It’s a monster. A long, high-altitude brute in the heart of the Pyrenees, the Tourmalet has been the backdrop for some of the sport's most dramatic moments. The climb is unforgiving, with steep pitches and a length that wears you down kilometer by kilometer.
On your smart trainer, you'll feel every bit of its 19 km length (from the Luz-Saint-Sauveur side) and its 7.4% average gradient. The virtual versions often feature the iconic "Géant du Tourmalet" statue at the summit, giving you a clear target to aim for. This isn't a climb with many easy sections, so finding a rhythm is crucial for survival.
Pro Tip: Fueling is critical for a climb this long. Make sure you have two bottles and some easily digestible carbs (like gels or chews) within reach. Start taking on fuel before you feel you need it. For pacing, aim to keep your effort in your "tempo" or "sweet spot" zone for the majority of the climb, saving a little extra for the final, steeper kilometers near the top.
5. Passo Gavia, Italy
The Gavia is a name that strikes fear and respect into the hearts of cyclists. This Italian giant is famous for its unpredictable weather and brutally steep sections. It was the site of Andy Hampsten’s legendary ride through a blizzard in the 1988 Giro d'Italia, a ride that cemented both his and the Gavia’s place in cycling folklore.
The virtual Gavia experience captures the raw, untamed nature of this pass. It’s narrower and feels more remote than many other famous climbs. You’ll face punishing gradients well into the double digits, especially on the more challenging southern side from Ponte di Legno. It’s a gritty, tough climb that rewards pure strength and perseverance.
Pro Tip: Be prepared for changes in pace. The Gavia's gradient is inconsistent, with steep ramps followed by slightly easier sections. Use your gears frequently to maintain a steady cadence and avoid grinding to a halt on the 16% pitches. This is a great climb to practice your out-of-the-saddle climbing technique.
6. Sa Calobra, Mallorca
Okay, it's not technically in the Alps, but the "Serpent's Coil" of Sa Calobra is on every cyclist's European bucket list. This Mallorcan masterpiece is an engineering marvel, a 9.5 km road that twists and turns back on itself, featuring a stunning 270-degree hairpin bend. It's a pure, unadulterated climb with no distractions—just you, the road, and the rock face.
Virtual Sa Calobra is one of the most visually rewarding rides you can do indoors. The sensation of winding up through the canyon, with the road visible above and below you, is spectacular. The 7% average gradient is challenging but consistent, making it a perfect climb for a sustained, high-intensity effort. It’s shorter than many of the Alpine giants, making it an excellent option for a hard, hour-long session.
Pro Tip: This is a power-climber's dream. The steady gradient allows you to lock into a specific power target or heart rate zone and hold it all the way to the top. Focus on maintaining a high, smooth cadence. Because of its relatively short length, you can afford to push a little harder than you would on a 90-minute monster like the Tourmalet.
7. Col du Galibier, France
Often the highest point of the Tour de France, the Col du Galibier is a true high-altitude challenge. It connects two major Alpine valleys and is usually climbed after cresting another major pass (either the Télégraphe or the Lautaret), making it an epic day out in the real world. The final kilometers are stark, exposed, and brutally steep, testing riders who are already fatigued and oxygen-deprived.
Riding the Galibier virtually is a lesson in attrition. It’s a long, grinding effort that rewards patience. The final kilometer, which kicks up to over 10%, is a real sting in the tail. The sense of accomplishment when you reach the virtual summit, with its panoramic views, is immense. This is a climb where you truly feel like you're on top of the world.
Pro Tip: Simulate the real-world challenge by doing a 20-30 minute warm-up ride at a solid tempo pace before starting the main Galibier segment. This will pre-fatigue your legs, mimicking the effort of having already climbed the Télégraphe. It’s a tough workout, but it’s fantastic preparation.
8. Passo Pordoi, Italy
Nestled in the heart of the stunning Dolomites, the Passo Pordoi is one of the most beautiful and rideable passes in Italy. It’s a key part of the famous Sella Ronda loop and has featured in the Giro d'Italia many times. While it’s not the steepest climb, its series of well-engineered hairpins and breathtaking limestone tower scenery make it an absolute joy to ride.
The virtual Pordoi is a great option when you want a challenging but not soul-crushing climbing experience. The gradient is very consistent, hovering around 6-7%, which allows you to find a great rhythm and spin your way to the top. The video-based platforms really shine here, showcasing the majestic beauty of the Dolomites in a way that static virtual worlds can't quite match.
Pro Tip: Focus on your form. With its manageable gradient, the Pordoi is the perfect climb to practice pedaling in smooth circles and maintaining an efficient, relaxed upper body. Try to stay seated for as long as possible, using your core to stabilize your body and transfer all your power to the pedals.
9. Col de la Madeleine, France
The Madeleine is the quintessential long, grueling Alpine pass. It’s not famous for any single killer feature, but for its sheer, unrelenting length and significant elevation gain. At over 25 km from one side and nearly 20 km from the other, it’s a war of attrition that slowly drains your energy reserves. This is the kind of climb where heroes of the Tour de France put minutes into their rivals.
Tackling the Madeleine at home requires a serious amount of mental fortitude. You will be on your trainer for a long time. It’s a fantastic endurance workout. The virtual climb will take you through charming French villages and deep forests before opening up to sweeping Alpine meadows near the summit.
Pro Tip: This is a true endurance test, so treat it like one. Break the climb into 5 km segments. At the end of each segment, give yourself a 30-second "mental reset"—take a big drink, stretch your hands, and refocus. Goh Ling Yong and I often use this technique on our long virtual rides to stay engaged and avoid burnout.
10. Angliru, Spain
We're cheating on the "Alpine" rule again, but no list of bucket-list virtual climbs would be complete without the most feared ascent in professional cycling: the Alto de l'Angliru. This Spanish monster is infamous for its ridiculously steep ramps, with sections like the Cueña les Cabres hitting a mind-boggling 23.5%. It’s less of a climb and more of a vertical wall.
Riding the Angliru virtually is a unique form of torture and triumph. Your smart trainer will max out its resistance, and you will be grinding in your easiest gear, likely out of the saddle, just to keep the pedals turning. It's a short climb, but every meter is a battle. Conquering it, even from your living room, gives you ultimate bragging rights.
Pro Tip: Set your trainer difficulty to 100% for the most "authentic" experience, if you dare. More importantly, have your easiest gear ready and do not be ashamed to use it. The key to the Angliru is surviving the steepest ramps without stopping. A slow, grinding cadence is better than no cadence at all. This is a pure power and grit challenge.
Your Alpine Adventure Awaits
The beauty of modern technology is that it has removed the barriers to experiencing the world's most incredible cycling playgrounds. You no longer need a plane ticket to feel the burn of the Alpe or witness the stark beauty of Ventoux. Your next great cycling adventure is waiting for you, right there in your home.
These climbs are more than just workouts; they are experiences. They test your limits, build your strength, and connect you to the rich history of our sport. So, this weekend, don't just ride your trainer—go on a journey. Pick a climb from this list, clip in, and transport yourself to the mountains.
Which legendary climb will you conquer first? Share your choice and your experience in the comments below. We'd love to hear about your passport-free cycling adventure
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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