A BIKEPACKING JOURNEY
INTO the ALPS
Puy-Saint-Vincent | September 1-6, 2027
Registration opens November 8.
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In 2027, Le Pilgrimage turns five. To celebrate, we’re taking the spirit of Le Pilgrimage on a new multi-day bikepacking journey through the Alps.
A self-supported adventure into the French and Italian Alps, shaped by mountains, food, people and stories.
LE PILGRIMAGE
BIKEPACKING
A SHARED BIKEPACKING Journey
Le Pilgrimage Bikepacking is a self-supported journey through the French and Italian Alps. It's a demanding adventure shared with like-minded souls.
Over approximately 550 kilometres and 16,000 - 17,000 metres of climbing, you'll cross high mountain passes, historic military roads and remote valleys, revisiting highlights from past Pilgrimages while exploring new places.
Le Pilgrimage is a journey. It's about slowing down, discovering local traditions, stopping for good food and meeting fellow pilgrims. You choose where to eat and where to sleep, while three checkpoints bring pilgrims together along the way.
The journey begins and ends around the Pilgrims’ Table, with a shared dinner before departure and after the finish.
A maximum of 100 pilgrims can join this first edition.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PILGRIMAGE?
We take care of the moments that bring pilgrims together, from shared dinners and checkpoints to local recommendations along the way. Everything in between is yours to discover.
Program:
September 1 - shake out ride, registrations & opening pilgrims table
September 2 - Start Le Pilgrimage Bikepacking
September 5 + 6 - finish window (so… 4 or 5 bikepacking days)
September 6 - final pilgrims table
Your entry fee will include:
Opening dinner at the Pilgrims’ Table at Hôtel Saint Roch
Three checkpoints at mountain refuges
Final dinner at the Pilgrims’ Table at Hôtel Saint Roch
GPS live tracking via Follow My Challenge, including tracker rental
Bikepacking Book, GPX files & brevet card
Recommendations to eat and sleep; from rifugio’s to bivouac spots, the best French bakeries & Italian coffee stops
Luggage storage during the event
Goodies from our partners
Access to Hôtel Saint Roch facilities before and after the ride, incl. the bar, bike workshop, bike wash and swimming pool
WHERE WILL WE TAKE YOU
Le Pilgrimage Bikepacking will take you across some of the most remarkable mountain roads and trails the Alps have to offer, including Colle del Sommeiller, Colle delle Finestre, the Strada dell’Assietta, Vallée des Fonts, Strada dei Cannoni, the Gardetta Plateau and the best trails in and around the Écrins Massif.
But a pilgrimage is about more than a ride. We'll share our favourite places to eat and stay, from mountain refuges and traditional restaurants to local bakeries, cheese farms and campsites. These are recommendations, not fixed stops. You decide where to eat, sleep and how to divide your journey.
The route can be completed in four or five days, with three refuge checkpoints offering planned opening windows to bring pilgrims together within the same timeframe. A chance to slow down, enjoy good food, take in the mountain scenery and experience the warm hospitality of the mountain refuges.
A detailed Bikepacking Book, including our local recommendations, resupply points and routes, will be sent 4-6 weeks ahead of the event.
BIKEPACKING SUMMARY
When: September 1 - 6, 2027
Riding days: 4 or 5 days
Distance & Elevation: Approximately 550 km / 16,000 - 17,000 m D+
Start & Finish: Puy-Saint-Vincent, French Alps
Route: French & Italian Alps
Format: Multi-day unsupported bikepacking journey
Terrain: Mixed gravel, road and some rough stuff
Type: Self-supported, no timing & ranking
Checkpoint: Three checkpoints at mountain refuges
Pilgrims’ Table: Shared table at the start and finish
Maximum spots: 100 pilgrims
Entry fee: 325 euro per person
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Le Pilgrimage Bikepacking is about taking your time, exploring the mountains and connecting with the places and people along the way. Stop for a coffee and focaccia in an Italian village, discover local traditions, enjoy the views and exchange stories with fellow pilgrims. It's about the freedom to experience the journey at your own pace.
But finding salvation isn't easy. Long days in the saddle, steep climbs and challenging mountain terrain will test your endurance and resilience. Completing the journey is an achievement in itself, and one worth taking your time for.
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We recommend tyres of at least 45 mm and preferably gearing lower than 1:1 for the steep climbs. Psst… Massacan’s Pianella is awesome for this journey.
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This region is famous for it’s sun. Usually in September the weather is stable. But as always, in the mountains the weather is unpredictable. We’ll share last minute weather conditions, so you can pack accordingly.
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The route is designed to be completed in four to five days. You're free to divide your journey as you like, keeping the checkpoint opening windows in mind.
We'll welcome pilgrims at the finish throughout the finish window, before bringing everyone together for a final dinner at the Pilgrims’ Table.
Here's the programme:
September 1 | Registration & opening dinner
From 11:00: Shakeout ride
12:00–16:00: Registration
19:00: Opening dinner
September 2 | The Start
07:00: Start of Le Pilgrimage Bikepacking
September 5 & 6 | Finish Window
Pilgrims arrive back in Puy-Saint-Vincent
September 6 | The Pilgrims’ Table
19:00: Final dinner
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Under all circumstance make sure you’ll bring: headlamp, bike lights, waterproof jacket, down jacket, reflective vest, small first aid kit, emergency blanket.
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Le Pilgrimage brings together riders from all over the world. Since our first edition, we've welcomed pilgrims from more than a dozen countries, with many different languages spoken around the Pilgrims’ Table.
Event information, briefings and communication are in English, but around the table you'll hear all kinds of languages. English is the common ground, but French is just as welcome. You don't need perfect English to feel at home at Le Pilgrimage.
Good to Know
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Expect a mix of flowing military gravel roads, rocky alpine tracks, forest roads, a few singletrack sections and quiet mountain passes, with approximately 50% unpaved and 1% unrideable. The route includes two, maybe three, hike-a-bike sections, totalling around 5 km.
Covering approximately 550 km and 16,000 - 17,000 metres of climbing, a five-day schedule means an average of 125 km and 3,300 metres of climbing per day, with the designated checkpoints helping you plan your journey.
The route also offers opportunities to bypass the hike-a-bike sections, although we think they're far too beautiful to miss. You're always free and responsible to adapt your route when necessary.The Bikepacking Book, including detailed route information and GPX files, will be shared 4–6 weeks before the event.
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Along the route, there are three checkpoints at mountain refuges. Each has a carefully planned opening window, designed to bring pilgrims together within the same timeframe and help everyone complete the journey in five to six days.
At each checkpoint, you can enjoy a Pilgrims’ Meal or local snacks for a modest price, paid directly to the refuge. It's a chance to take a break, meet fellow pilgrims and enjoy some local mountain hospitality before continuing your journey.
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Hôtel Saint Roch in Puy-Saint-Vincent is our home and the meeting point before and after the journey.
It's where pilgrims gather for the included opening dinner, pre-ride briefing and final celebrations around the Pilgrims’ Table.
All participants can use the hotel's facilities, including the bike workshop, bike wash, swimming pool and bar. Also luggage storage is available during the event.
Pilgrims are free to stay wherever they like before and after their journey.
Check “Where to Stay Before & After” for more info about accommodation packages for pilgrims in our little village. -
We’ll share our favourite places to eat, drink and stay along the route, from mountain refuges and bivouac spots to French bakeries, Italian coffee stops and traditional restaurants.
These recommendations will be included in the Roadbook, shared ahead of the event. They're suggestions, not fixed stops. You're free to choose where to eat, sleep and take a break along the way.
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Puy-Saint-Vincent is located close to Briançon and the Italian border. We recommend travelling by train to: Argentière-les-Ecrins (15 km ride) or Oulx in Italy (50 km ride). The closest airport is Turin. Airport Marseille offers fair rates as well. Of course, you can easily reach us by car. There’s plenty of free parking nearby.
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The journey starts and finishes in the cosy little village of Puy-Saint-Vincent. Hôtel Saint Roch is the central meeting point for Le Pilgrimage Bikepacking, hosting the briefing, opening dinner and final celebrations, all included in the registration fee.
Accommodation before and after the event is not included in the registration fee, but there are plenty of options in the village.
Whether you prefer a comfortable hotel room, a cosy chalet or a campsite, you're welcome to arrive a few days early or extend your stay after the journey.Hôtel Saint Roch, Chalet Alpelune and Camping Puy-Saint-Vincent offer accommodation options for pilgrims.
Whether you've already registered or are still considering joining, send us an email at hello@le-pilgrimage.com and we'll be happy to put you in touch with our friends in the village.
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