Cycling – mountain biking

Mountain biking

The Guisane valley has a rich selection of mountain bike trails that climb up mountain paths through larch forests and descent the green fields of Alpine pastures, letting you explore all aspects of the mountain environment. There are kilometres and kilometres of marked paths for mountain bike enthusiasts in Serre Chevalier…
The Briançonnais is recognized since 2008 by the French Federation of Cycling asa Mountain Bike spot.

Our choice of routes:

• Easy trails:

• From the legendary descent from Le Galibier you get exceptional panoramic views of the Meije and the Ecrins. This 18km trail starts on the old Galibier road, continues into the Guisane valley and takes you through the charming villages of Le Lauzet, Les Boussardes and Le Casset, finishing in Le Monêtier les Bains.

• The 12km Eduits circuit takes you on an exploration of a beautiful forest area along a woodland track up to the Plateau des Eduits at 1757m. The descent snakes its way alongside the Luc Alphand piste to Chantemerle.

• More challenging routes:

• The 14km Balcons de Serre Chevalier trail takes you through the Guisane valley, from Le Monêtier to Chantemerle. Despite a few steep sections between Chantemerle and Villeneuve, the path gives great views over the north-facing side of the valley and passes through a magnificent larch forest.

• The ’Chemin du Roy’ starts on the road at the Col du Granon, looks out over 36km, into the Guisane valley and over the panorama of the Oisans mountain range. You cross the Col de Buffère, pass through small valleys and follow the Grande Randonnée (GR) route below the imposing Aiguillette du Lauzet. The trail has quite an airy feel to it in parts, meanders through woodland and goes through the hamlets of Le Lauzet and Les Boussardes up to Le Monêtier les Bains.

• The 7.5km Chalets de Peyra Juana circuit has a great climb up a woodland track to Peyra-Juana followed by a superb descent down a small path to the village of Les Guibertes.

• Very hard:

• The extremely technical 20km Balcons de St Chaffrey route is for experienced mountain bikers only. Starting at the Col de Granon, the trail is very exposed with several tight hairpin bends, from the Col Barteau to the Fort des Salettes. Heading back towards Saint Chaffrey, the path picks up the old Roman road leading to the pretty little Chapelle St Arnould.

Road biking

The Briançon region has an incredible choice of routes for road biking enthusiasts. You will discover a countryside full of contrasts, from small winding roads to great balcony routes and including some of the most famous climbs and descents in the world of cycling.
Cycle around Briançon along the roads used by the greats, such as Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Fausto Coppi and Lance Armstrong.

Join Serre Chevalier road biking club

• The Col du Galibier (2645m) is one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the Alps. You will have to dig deep to reach the top of this huge natural monument from the top of which you get superb views of the glaciers and summit of the Meije (3987m). Start at Col du Lautaret – Length 8.5km – Height gain 585m – Average incline 6.9% - Max. incline 12.1%.

• The Col du d’Izoard (2361m) is one of the most famous road climbs. It starts in Briançon, climbs up by larch forests and arrives at the pass from where you get uninterrupted, panoramic views of the Briançon and Queyras regions. From here you can descend from the Col via the Casse Déserte, a ’moonscape’ in the heart of the Alps. North side – Length 20km – Height gain 1141m - Average incline 5.7% - Max. incline 8.5%.

• The Col du Granon (2413m) was part of the Tour de France in 1986. From here you are afforded magnificent views over the Guisane valley, the Meije, the Barre des Ecrins (4102m) and the Pelvoux (3946m)… And after this beautiful climb up, you’ll really appreciate the cycle down! Length 16.7km – Height gain 1200m - Average incline 7.2% - Max. incline 11%.

All the routes in the Hautes Alpes