Five months until the start of the 2024 NorthCape-Tarifa.
Currently, the mountain passes in the Alps are blanketed with meters of snow.
The photos were taken yesterday at -10 degrees Celsius at Col du Lautaret, featuring the refuge Napoleon and the view towards the mighty Col du Galbier. The third photo captures La Grave, located 12km down from Col du Lautaret, a resting point for riders in previous editions.
Col d’Iseran, 2764m: Highest mountain pass in the Alps
Port d’Envalira, 2409m: Highest all-year-open mountain pass in Europe and the highest pass in the Pyrenees
Pico del Veleta, 3398m: Highest ridable road in Europe, 7000km from the start
Checkpoints: Helsinki (Finland), Hill of Crosses (Lithuania), Bregenz (Austria), Col du Galibier (France), Nice (France), Port d’Envalira (Andorra), Pico del Veleta (Spain), and Tarifa (Spain).
4 finishing points: Helsinki in Finland (1753km), Bregenz in Austria (4070km), Nice in France (5370km), Tarifa in Spain (7400km)
New for 2024! We’re adding a brand-new checkpoint along the route. As our riders pedal south through Lithuania towards the charming city of Šiauliai, they’ll hit the Hill of Crosses, home to Checkpoint 2. This iconic spot tells the amazing story of Lithuania’s cultural and historical richness, creating a unique and memorable stopping point.
The Latvian journey begins by guiding cyclists along the Baltic coast. As it nears Riga, the route turns inland, weaving through scenic farmlands. Continuing through the suburbs, it ensures a safe ride into Riga, a historic city with well-maintained cycling paths. The route then explores more rolling countryside and quiet backroads, progressing towards Lithuania.
Following a brief ferry journey across the Baltic Sea from Helsinki, riders will arrive in Estonia’s captivating medieval capital city. Once out of Tallinn, the route follows rolling countryside with cycling paths winding through hills, lakes, and forests. The days are long, and it never gets completely dark.
After traversing the least populated region in Europe, riders will arrive at Checkpoint 1 in Helsinki at kilometer 1753, having conquered a total elevation gain of 15,000 meters. The next phase of the adventure includes boarding the ferry to Estonia.
Finland’s landscape: endless trees, calm lakes, and beautiful views. What’s special about this part of the route? There are hardly any people around. As cyclists ride through the length of the country, it feels really quiet and peaceful. It’s as if the journey and solitude become companions.
“Bizarre to be able to take a photo of my shadow cycling at 3 a.m. I saw a reindeer and an Arctic fox. The roads were empty so we had our run of things. It was as if we were the only people in the world, cycling along this amazing coast.” Christopher Ross Bennett
