The air is thin, the road is steep, and anticipation buzzes through the mountains long before the peloton arrives. Spectators line the roadside for hours, flags waving, cowbells clanging, and voices echoing through the valleys—all for the moment when cycling’s greatest athletes dance past in a slow motion flash. Being there isn’t just about watching a race for that brief moment; it’s about immersing yourself in a festival of endurance, passion, and history. Here’s how to make the most of your own Tour de France mountain stage adventure.

But before you can soak up that electric atmosphere, there are a few things to know that will shape your experience. Mountain stages come with their own quirks—long hikes to reach the best spots, early road closures, and hours of waiting before the riders appear. Yet those challenges are exactly what make the day so special. This year The General Classification team pilgrimed to the Queen stage of the Tour de France and took notes. 

Image: The General Classification

Don't miss the caravan

Long before the riders begin their climb, the mountains come alive with the famous Tour de France publicity caravan. Part parade, part carnival, and part marketing extravaganza, the caravan is a rolling spectacle of brightly decorated vehicles, blaring music, and costumed staff tossing freebies into the crowd. It’s been a tradition since 1930 and, for many fans, is as much a part of the Tour experience as the race itself. The Caravan passes a few hours before the race. So get there early and spread out down the road. Getting your hands on a E.Leclerc King of the Mountain t-shirt is almost guaranteed. 

Image: The General Classification

Pack Like a Soigneur: Bring a Musette, or two

One of the simplest yet smartest tips for a mountain stage is to bring a musette bag—the same lightweight shoulder bags the riders use to grab food on the move. They’re perfect for carrying your own roadside supplies: water, snacks, sunscreen, even a couple of cold beers for when the waiting stretches into hours (keep those beers extra cold in the Thermal lined Cool Bag Musette). It's always surprising how much you can fit in a musette. Then once you've drunk and eat everything they can be packed down into the back of your jersey.

DNF musette. Image: The General Classification

Watch with Your Eyes, Not Your Phone

When the peloton finally appears, the moment is over in a flash—just a blur of colour, sweat, and effort flying past on the steep mountain road. It’s tempting to fumble for your phone, to try and capture a video you’ll probably never watch again. 

Instead, put your phone down and take it all in. Cheer, clap, wave, and let yourself be swept up in the noise and emotion. Those seconds will stay with you far longer than any shaky clip. The best souvenir you’ll take home isn’t a video—it’s the memory of watching the world’s greatest race with your own eyes.

Image: The General Classification

Where to set up camp?

When it comes to a mountain stage, the best place to watch depends on the experience you’re chasing. We've outlined a few below.

The summit offers the biggest drama—riders draining themselves on the final ramps. The summit however can also be the most crowded and fiercely contested for a close up view of the riders.

If the mountain stage offers a summit finish then the finish line is always a good option. However this will be particularly busy. Almost certainly worth it though as this is where the crescendo takes place.

The hairpins, are where you feel closest to the action: riders slow to navigate the bends, giving you a rare few extra seconds to cheer them on, and the views down the switchbacks can be breathtaking. Some hairpins also give the opportunity to double your money with 2 for the price of one views when the riders take on the following bend which you can run to.

Roadside spots halfway up the climb bring a festival vibe, with fans camped out for days, flags flying, and the caravan throwing gifts into the crowd. Many spectators make a real event of it, driving camper vans up days in advance to secure a prime pitch before the police close the roads—usually hours, sometimes even a full day before the riders arrive. We recommend doing the climb the day before to scope out the best spot though.

Lower parts of the mountain can also be fun. With more casual fans and easier opportunities for the beer run. Also don't forget, the higher you go up, the longer it will take to get down.

Image: The General Classification