The Tour de France 2026 Route Announcement

The Tour de France 2026 Route Announcement

As winter sets in, the anticipation begins to build for the return of the Tour de France! The world’s most iconic cycling event rolls back onto the roads next summer from July 4^th – 26th, and as an Official Premium Tour Operator, we couldn’t be more excited.

The 2026 Tour de France route has now been revealed, and it’s set to push the world’s best riders to their limits. The course features a series of formidable mountain ascents, including a number of new climbs:

Côte de Bègues (Stage 2), Montée de Gavarnie-Gèdre (Stage 6), Col de la Griffoul (Stage 10), Col du Page and Col du Haag (Stage 14), Plateau de Solaison (Stage 15), and the Col de Sarenne via its south-eastern flank (Stage 20). The mighty Col du Galibier (2,642m) will be the “roof” – the highest point of the 2026 Tour.

Elevation Gain

The Tour has confirmed some standout stats on the 2026 edition with a total vertical gain: 54,450m.

The 2026 Tour de France Route at a Glance

There will be 21 stages in total:
• 7 flat stages
• 4 hilly stages
• 8 mountain stages – including 5 summit finishes at Gavarnie-Gèdre, Plateau de Solaison, Orcières-Merlette and Alpe d’Huez (twice)
• 1 team time trial
• 1 individual time trial
• 2 rest days

A Historic Start in Barcelona

The Grand Départ takes place in vibrant Barcelona on Saturday 4th July 2026 – marking the third Tour de France start in Spain (after San Sebastián in 1992 and Bilbao in 2023) and the first ever in Barcelona.

The Catalan capital has hosted Tour stages three times before (1957, 1965 and 2009) and shares a rich cycling heritage, particularly around Montjuïc hill, home to memorable stages at the Vuelta a España, Volta a Catalunya, the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

The iconic 1992 Olympic site will be front and centre for the first two stages, with the 19.7km team time trial and Stage 2 both finishing atop Montjuïc, setting the stage for an early showdown between the GC contenders.

L’Étape du Tour 2026

L’Étape du Tour gives amateur cyclists the chance to ride a full Tour de France stage under race-day conditions, and the 2026 edition is not for the faint-hearted!

Cyclists will take on Stage 20 of the Tour, tackling a trio of Tour legends:
• Col de la Croix de Fer
• Col du Télégraphe
• Col du Galibier

before a show-stopping finish on Alpe d’Huez via the Col de Sarenne.

With 170km and 5,400m of elevation, this is set to be one of the toughest Étape editions in recent years.

Experience the Tour de France with Sports Tours International

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Why Attend the Tour de France?

The Tour de France is much more than a race, it’s a display of endurance, tactics, passion, and human spirit. Each stage brings new drama, unforgettable scenery and world-class athletic performance. The route is crafted to honour the race’s heritage while delivering fresh challenges, and 2026 is no exception.

“The 2026 Tour will kick off with a 19km team time trial in Barcelona. It will have been 55 years since the Tour last started with a TTT, back in 1971.”

New to the Tour? Here’s a Quick Guide

The first Tour de France took place in 1903, won by Maurice Garin – the beginning of a legacy that continues to captivate millions.
Across 21 demanding stages (100–250km each) and only 2 rest days, riders cover more than 2,000 miles over three weeks, conquering epic mountain passes and picturesque French towns.

The jerseys up for grabs:
• Yellow Jersey – overall race leader
• Green Jersey – points/sprint leader
• Polka Dot Jersey – King of the Mountains
• White Jersey – best young rider (under 25)

Ready to witness the world’s greatest cycling event live?

Book a Tour de France package with Sports Tours International and get involved in the greatest cycling event of the year!