Two Couples, Twelve Days, and Every Pass That Matters

Some trips are about ticking boxes. This one is about sharing every hairpin, every summit, and every sunset with the people who get it.

Two couples from Canada—friends who'd ridden together before—reached out looking for the real deal. Not a quick weekend blast, but a proper Alpine immersion. Something where they could wake up in a mountain village, spend the day carving through legendary passes, and still have time to walk into town for dinner and a glass of wine.

We built them 12 days through the French and Swiss Alps—3,000 km of high passes, deep canyons, and balcony roads that feel like they're hanging off the edge of the world. Starting and ending near Munich, the route strings together some of the most iconic Alpine roads with hidden gems that don't make it onto the tourist maps.

The Flow: Big Days, But Never Rushed

The beauty of this trip is the rhythm. Each day is built around about five hours of actual riding time—long enough to feel like a proper day in the saddle, but with plenty of space for the moments that matter.

Scenic coffee stops where you watch the valley wake up. Photo breaks on the passes where everyone gets off the bike and just stares. Short walks to viewpoints. A relaxed arrival at the hotel in the afternoon, with time for a shower, a drink, and a stroll through town before dinner.

When you're riding 2-up, that balance is everything. The pillion needs to feel comfortable, not endurance-tested. And the rider needs to stay sharp, not exhausted. This route is designed with that in mind—comfort and flow over ego and miles.

The Roads: Legends and Secrets

Over 12 days, these two couples will tackle 19 of the Alps' Top 50 passes. That includes some of the big names on the Route des Grandes Alpes—the kind of roads riders talk about at bike meets—plus a few lesser-known favorites that locals guard like secrets.

But it's not just about the passes. Some of the best moments come from the in-between places:

The Verdon Canyon is a standout day. Narrow roads carved into the cliffs, bright turquoise water far below, and views that make you slow down, pull over, and just soak it in. This is one of Europe's deepest gorges, and riding it feels like threading a needle through a postcard.

Then there are the red-rock gorges—places like Gorges de Daluis where the road is literally carved into the mountainside. Tunnels, ledges, constant curves. It's dramatic, but still very rideable 2-up if you know what you're doing.

And the balcony roads—those narrow ribbons of pavement that cling to the cliffside with nothing but air on one side and rock on the other. Thrilling, but never sketchy. Just the right amount of "wow, we're really doing this."

The Stops: Real Places, Not Just Hotels

Instead of anonymous motorway hotels, each overnight is chosen for its character and location. Small Alpine villages with traditional houses. Mountain towns where you can walk into the center for dinner. Occasional stays near lakes or rivers—perfect for a quiet evening walk before the sun sets.

The hotels are solid 3-4 star—comfortable, rider-friendly, with good breakfasts and parking that doesn't make you nervous. But more importantly, they're in real places with their own feel. The kind of towns where you can explore local food, pick your own restaurant, and take your time.

One of the highlights? A rest day in Saint-Martin-Vésubie with an optional ride to Monaco. Start the morning on a cold pass and end it with palm trees and sea air. That kind of contrast is what makes the Alps so special.

Built for Two Couples Who Ride Together

This isn't a solo trip or a guided group tour. It's perfect for two couples who enjoy traveling together and want to share a big Alpine experience without the pressure of keeping up with strangers or following a guide's schedule.

The route gives them total freedom during the day—ride at their own pace, stop when they want, take detours if something looks interesting. But all the logistics are handled: hotels pre-booked, routes pre-tested, GPX files ready to load, and a complete tour book with tips, safety notes, and local insights.

They get the structure and support they need in the planning phase, and the freedom and flexibility they want on the road.

The Kind of Riding This Requires

This West Alps loop is built for riders who love proper mountain riding and are comfortable 2-up. You don't need to be a racer, but you do need good clutch control, smooth braking, and confidence in the corners—especially fully loaded with luggage and a passenger.

The terrain includes hairpins, sweeping curves, tight mountain sections, and some narrow balcony roads. If you've ridden in the Alps or mountains before and your pillion is comfortable with long days and plenty of scenery, this is exactly the kind of trip that delivers.

Why This Works

These two Canadian couples are about to experience the kind of trip that creates stories you tell for years. Not just about the passes they conquered, but about the moments in between: the lunch stop where they sat outside for two hours. The evening in a mountain village where they found a tiny restaurant with incredible food. The morning they woke up to fog in the valley and clear skies above.

That's what happens when the trip is designed around experience, not just mileage. When the hotels are in real places. When the riding is challenging but never exhausting. When there's time to actually enjoy being there.

Ready to Plan Your Own Custom Alps Adventure?

If you're thinking about doing something similar with your partner and another couple—or even just the two of you—this is exactly the kind of trip that shows you what the Alps are really about.

Not just the passes. The whole journey.

Get in touch and let's build your perfect Alpine adventure.