16-21 July 2024

Distance

750km

Elevation

18000m+

Start

Mandelieu (FR)

July 16th, 2024

Finish

Crans-Montana (CH)

July 21st, 2024

Max time

5 days/120 hours

From sea to Summit

Embark on GRAAALPS, a groundbreaking semi-autonomous gravel adventure. Trace the path from MANDELIEU-LA-NAPOULE’s Mediterranean beauty to the summit of CRANS MONTANA in Switzerland—an unparalleled adventure crossing three countries: France, Italy and Switzerland

3 main reasons to register to GRAAALPS:

Epic Alpine Adventure

GRAAALPS offers a unique opportunity to embark on an unforgettable gravel journey through the stunning landscapes of the Alps.

Cross-Border Thrills

Traverse three countries—Italy, Switzerland, and France—adding a diverse cultural experience to your thrilling gravel race.

Semi-Supported Excellence

Enjoy the perfect balance of support and challenge with GRAAALPS’ semi-supported format, providing assistance where needed while maintaining the essence of adventure.

The course

details of the course soon available

July, 16-21, 2024

Start: July 16th, 2024, from 9pm

Mandelieu-La-Napoule, FR

Basecamp: Mid-race, location TBD

Finish: Crans-Montana, Place Ycoor

Max time: 5 days.

From 269 CHF

The following routes are subject to change and may not be the final versions

The French Part

232Km - 7350M of elevation gain - 5250M of elevation loss

Part 1: Your journey to France.

Embark on a 231 km adventure from Mandelieu to Col de Tende, boasting a positive elevation gain of 7250m and an elevation loss of 5250 m.

Commencing from the picturesque shores of Mandelieu, where the race village awaits, brace yourself for a spellbinding and awe-inspiring route. Navigate through challenging terrains as you make your way to the charming city of Grasse, traversing this remarkable landscape until you reach the summit of Mont Ferion. Then, press on, conquering the magnificent Col du Savel (Saint-Roch) before concluding with the exhilarating gravel section of Col de Tende.

The Italian Part

400Km - 7878M of elevation gain - 6000M of elevation loss

Part 2: The journey continues to Italy

Italy is where you will meet the basecamps on the route. But make no mistake this does not mean it will be easy.

With a total of 400km and 7800m of climbing, this will be hell of journey. more than 6000 m elevation loss as well.
On the way, 2 basecamps, basecamp 1: Palestra Cantore, Coni, and Basecamp 2: motovelodromo Fausto Coppi in Torino.
After 2 possible rest, you will then climb up to Col du Grand Saint Bernard, to finish your italian journey.

The Swiss Part

130Km - 3600M of elevation gain - 4500M of elevation loss

Part 3: The Final Stretch of the Course

They say, “save the best for last,” and Switzerland certainly lives up to that adage.

While it may be the shortest leg, it’s packed with beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes. From the majestic Grand Saint Bernard to the breathtaking Croix de Coeur and the charming Crans-Montana in the picturesque Valais canton, this leg promises to be a feast for the eyes and a test for your weary legs.

Covering 130km with 3600m of ascent and 4500m of descent, it’s a challenge worth conquering.

As you approach the finish line at Place Ycoor in Crans-Montana, be sure to do so with flair. We’ll be there to welcome you, celebrating your journey and rewarding you for your incredible achievement.

This marks the culmination of your quest through GRAAALPS, a journey you’ll never forget.

How to register ?

Price by participant

Pre sale

Waiting list only

Regular

From Feb 1st to May 31 st

Last Chance

From June til the event

Solo

359 CHF

429 CHF

499 CHF

Team of 2

319 CHF

379 CHF

429 CHF

Team of 4

269 CHF

329 CHF

379 CHF

Pictures of the first edition

The fantastic journey

In the narrative of our event, two cities come together in a noble alliance, forming a bond destined for greatness. Together, they craft the epic tale of GRAAALPS—an extraordinary adventure inviting bold enthusiasts to traverse the majestic Alps through challenging gravel terrain.

Set in the Swiss Alps, Crans Montana combines challenging off-road terrain with breathtaking Alpine scenery. The town’s allure lies in its harmonious blend of mountain trails, upscale ambiance, and iconic landmarks, making it a captivating destination for those seeking an unforgettable gravel cycling adventure.

Crans-Montana

Mandelieu

Commence your journey along the Mediterranean shores of Mandelieu-La-Napoule. Nestled on the French Riviera, Mandelieu beckons gravel cyclists with its coastal allure, offering a blend of sandy paths, a sophisticated marina, and the historic Château de la Napoule. Surrounded by the scenic Estérel Massif, the town becomes a haven for gravel enthusiasts exploring panoramic coastal trails, fusing seaside charm with thrilling natural landscapes.

More details on the race

About GRAAALPS

Join us on this exhilarating 5-day adventure as we explore the stunning landscapes of the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps. GRAAALPS invites you to embark on a unique gravel bikepacking experience, the first and only under the semi-autonomy concept. From the picturesque Mediterranean shores of MANDELIEU to the majestic summit of CRANS MONTANA in Switzerland, this journey is a true odyssey, traversing the renowned Alps and crossing three distinct countries.

You can experience this adventure solo, as a pair, or in a group of four. To ensure safety and deliver a high-quality event, for this first edition, the number of spots is limited to 100 solo participants, 20 team ‘duos’, and 10 team of 4. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis following the FIFO principle.

GRAAALPS stands as a truly distinctive Gravel adventure, marking the first-ever Gravel ultra-distance event to traverse the Alps across three countries under the innovative semi-autonomy concept. Our unique approach seamlessly combines crucial safety services with the liberty for riders to relish autonomy. Striking the perfect balance, GRAAALPS ensures a secure experience while preserving the exhilaration of self-guided exploration. Immerse yourself in the best of both worlds with GRAAALPS

THE SEMI AUTONOMY DETAILED:

The semi-autonomy concept at GRAAALPS is crafted to enhance your adventure by providing essential services while preserving your autonomy on the route. From transporting your bike box to the finish line to managing drop bags at our strategically located base camp along the course, we take care of the essentials. Moreover, our vigilant team monitors each rider’s progress through GPS, prepared to deploy safety protocols in emergencies, ensuring your focus remains solely on pedaling. Whether you choose to stop at our base camp for refreshments and facilities or continue without interruption, the decision is yours. GRAAALPS is fundamentally committed to assisting every participant in completing their challenge in the safest manner possible.

GRAAALPS kicks off with its longest course spanning 750km, culminating in a thrilling Gravel weekend festival in Crans-Montana. Explore a range of distances and engaging animations designed to cater to diverse preferences. Check out the details below for a sneak peek into the exciting options available.

All the riders registered on the waiting list will have a special 24h to register at a special price on January 31st, The grand opening for the general public kicks off on February 1, 2024, and runs until June 15, 2024, specifically for the long-distance category. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this epic adventure! GRAAALPS awaits your presence.
  • Cantonal, national, and federal authorizations
  • Operational Management Post 24/24 – for riders monitoring
  • Health and Rescue Protocol and services
  • Pasta Party (pre race free meal)
  • Safety Briefing
  • Bike and Equipment check
  • Volunteer Team
  • GPS tracking device & Live Tracking Platform
  • GPX Fixed Route
  • Basecamp x1 (sanitary facilities / shower / meals / rest) 1 on the course and 1 in Crans Montana
  • Transfer of a 20L bag to the mid race basecamp
  • Transfer of bag + bikebox to the finish line
  • GRAAALPS Starter Pack
  • Finisher’s Beer
  • Closing Ceremony
  • Finisher Raclette Party
  • Professional photographers and videographers on the course
  • Official GRAAALPS T-shirt
  • Baggage storage at the finish line
  • Guarded bike park at the finish line
  • Finisher Prize
  • Promo code for the GRAVEL FESTIVAL

GRAAALPS presents an exhilarating lineup of events for the ultimate gravel experience.

BIB PICK-UP AND EQUIPMENT CHECK, Tuesday, July 16th, 2024

📍Espace Municipal Maurice Muller, Mandelieu

 From 4pm to 6pm PM

BRIEFING AND PASTA PARTY: Tuesday, July 16, 2024
From 6pm to 8 pm

START: Tuesday, July 16, 2024
The GRAAALPS 700K adventure kicks off in Mandelieu on the night of Tuesday 9pm

BASECAMP #1:
Cunéo
Opening date and time: 17 July, 12am
Closing date and time: 18July, 9am
Palestra Cantore

BASECAMP #2:
Torino
Opening date and time: 18 July, 8am
Closing date and time: 19 July, 11pm
Motovelodromo, Fausto Coppi.

Open 24/24
Note: If you arrive after closing time, regrettably, you’ll be disqualified and won’t have access to your bag due to logistics reasons. You can choose to continue or find an alternative way back to Crans-Montana to retrieve your belongings.

FINISH LINE: From Thursday, July 18th, 2024 until july 21st
The grand finale awaits at Place YCOOR in CRANS MONTANA, from 4PM

FINISHER PARTY AND CLOSING CEREMONY:
Saturday, July 20th, 2024

700km / 18.000M+ (approximately)
Maximum Altitude: 2514 meters
Minimum Altitude: sea level
Terrain: Gravel, split to come
Cut-off Time: 120 hours / 5 days
Basecamp x 1: Location tbd
Start: Mandelieu-la-Napoule, FR
Finish: Crans-Montana, CH
Fixed GPS Route
Tracking via geolocator

In true GRAAALPS spirit, we’ve got your logistics covered with our exclusive Bike Box/Bag Transfer service!

BIKE BOX/BAG TRANSFER:
As part of your registration, we’re offering a seamless transfer service for your bike box/bag, ensuring it travels with you from the vibrant start in Mandelieu la Napoule to the triumphant finish line in Crans-Montana. Simply hand over your box/bag during registration on July 16th, 2024. And here’s a tip: Your bike box might be doubling as extra storage, so give it a quick empty before the handover.

DROP BAG:
Included in your registration fee is our ‘Drop Bag’ (20L) service (drop bag not included, please bring yours). Drop it off on July 16th, 2024, just before the adventure begins. We’ll transport it to the base camp, where you can easily locate it for a quick change. Leave it with us again, and we’ll ensure it reaches the finish line. Remember, your belongings await you at the finish line; nothing will be left behind in Mandelieu. GRAAALPS takes care of the details so you can focus on the ride!

How to get to Mandelieu

avion
Mandelieu is just less than an hour away from Nice, France
Train
From Nice, you can take a 40 minutes train to Mandelieu
bus
From where you fly, there are a lot of bus options to get to Mandelieu

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Exciting 2025 Updates Are Coming Soon! 🚴‍♂️🌍

Stay connected and be the first to know about all the new features and routes for GRAAALPS 2025.
Join our 2025 waiting list today to receive exclusive updates and ensure you don’t miss out on the ultimate gravel adventure!