MTB: Chamonix to Zermatt
Zermatt by bike!
The Haute Route is one of the most famous routes in the Alps; this is the 'high level route' between the two great alpine towns of - Chamonix and Zermatt. We begin our mountain bike trip in Chamonix which lies in the shadow of the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc and continue over the mountains to Zermatt and the iconic Matterhorn! You will be following trails which have been used for centuries to link the valleys which lie between. A week of stunning views of snow capped peaks and glaciers, with great technical riding both up and down! What a route and what a journey!
- the best of alpine views
- excellent technical riding
- professional mountain bike guide
- baggage transferred for you
- great accommodation and food!
Download PDF version of this pageDepartures
| Trip | Departure date | End date | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTB: HR1 | Sat 7 July 12 | Sat 14 July 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: HR2 | Sat 14 July 12 | Sat 21 July 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: HR3 | Sat 21 July 12 | Sat 28 July 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: HR4 | Sat 28 July 12 | Sat 4 August 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
| MTB: HR5 | Sat 4 August 12 | Sat 11 August 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Trip Closed |
| MTB: HR6 | Sat 11 August 12 | Sat 18 August 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: HR7 | Sat 18 August 12 | Sat 25 August 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: HR8 | Sat 25 August 12 | Sat 1 September 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Trip Closed |
| MTB: HR9 | Sat 1 September 12 | Sat 8 September 12 | £975 or 1095 Euros | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
| MTB: HR10 | Sat 8 September 12 | Sat 15 September 12 | £975 or 1050 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
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Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Day
Today you arrive in Chamonix Valley, France. If you choose to fly to Geneva then we can meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation. The meeting time for the transfer will be at a time which suits the majority of the arriving group members. Your guide will be available to answer any questions about the trip ahead. Also bikes will be unpacked and prepared.
Day 2 Chamonix to Verbier
We set off to ride to Le Tour, at the top of the Chamonix Valley, where we save some energy by taking the gondola lift to the Cole de Balme and our first technical descent to the village of Trient, Switzerland. Then its up to the Col de la Forclaz and a descent into the Martigny Valley with its vineyards. We then head to Verbier via both road and trails, finishing by taking a lift to arrive in the ski resort of Verbier. Approx 40 km. Ascent 1000. Descent 1500m
Day 3 Verbier to Evolene
Starting from Verbier with an amazing view of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc range we ride towards Evolene following the itinerary of the 'Grand Raid Cristalp race'. We pass the Croix de Coeur pass and descend on a splendid singletrack. The rest of the day provides several climbs and descents, one by lift with the reward of a long descent on a brilliant singletrack. A long final climb takes us to the top of Sex Pey, followed by the technical descent of the day to the quaint Swiss village of Evolene. Approx 65 km. Ascent 1900m. Descent 2400m.
Day 4 Evolene to Grimentz
Today involves the ascent of the two highest passes of this tour, Pas de Lona at 2787m and Basset de Lona at 2792m. We first climb the Pas de Lona on a jeep track, and with a 30mn 'hike-a-bike' section to the top. The ride between Pas de Lona and Basset de Lona is 'swoopy' and the climb of Basset de Lona is rideable to the top. The reward is a long and varied descent passing near the beautiful lake of Moiry and finishing with a nice singletrack to the village of Grimentz. Approx 45 km. Ascent 1900m. Descent 1900m.
Day 5 Grimentz to Eischol
We will ride via the Illsee pass at 2544m, from where we can see both the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. After a short descent, a 30 minute pushing section follows with an epic and well deserved downhill. This descent is a mix of all the best trails you've ever dreamed about... Fast tracks, swooping and technical sections and tight corners, this is the addictive stuff! Then a road/jeep track brings us to a point above Eischol, finishing with an easy downhill for the night. Approx 55km. Ascent 1400m. Descent 2000m.
Day 6 Eischol to St Niklaus
We will ride on the ridge of the Swiss Rhone Valley today and enter into the German speaking area of Switzerland. After a warm up on a jeep track we will hit a singletrack and finish the climb with a 'hike-a-bike' section to the highest point for the day; the 'Moose pass' at 2048m. The view of the neighbouring peaks is stunning as we stand at the junction of the Zermatt and Saas-Fé Valleys. The descent to Saint Niklaus and the Zermatt Valley is excellent. We use singletracks and large trails and pass through alpine villages barely clinging to the mountain side. Approx 40km. Ascent 1100m. Descent 1100m.
Day 7 St Niklaus to Zermatt
The final day riding will be engraved on your memory forever. From Saint Niklaus we will head to Zermatt using trails and road. We will then ride the terrific trails of the Zermatt Valley. The group has a choice of lifts to make the ascent. The Gornergrat train to 3016m or the Sunnegga funicular. From both of these lifts the view of the Matterhorn, the Breithorn and the Monte Rosa is totally jaw-dropping! The descent down to Zermatt is fantastic and will definitely make your disc brakes burn! Riding this tour, is what dreams are made of... Approx 40km. Ascent 700. Descent 1800.
Day 8 Departure
Price
Included: Transfer to and from Geneva airport on the arrival and departure days. The meeting time for the transfer will be at a time which suits the majority of the arriving group members. The guiding services of a fully qualified Mountain Bike Guide, hotel accommodation for 7 nights, dinner and breakfast, any transfers and cable cars in Verbier, Chamonix, and Siviez. Picnic lunch is also included. A minibus with driver for assistance each day, along with baggage transfers between accommodation. Return of any hired bikes to Chamonix at the end of the trip.
Not included: Travel Insurance, which must include helicopter rescue from the mountains. It does not include the hire of any mountain bikes should you choose not to bring your own, nor does it include any repairs and maintenance necessary to your bike. Lift passes in Zermatt.
Accommodation
The accommodation is a mix of hotels and bunk houses, based on two people sharing when in hotels.
Bikes
The best bike for this type of trip would be an ‘all-round’ bike with between 100mm and 160mm of ‘travel’ on the front and the rear. A bike of less than 14kg is a good idea! If you choose not to bring your own you can hire a suitable bike in Chamonix.
Your Guide
We work with fully qualified professional French mountain bike guides who are hugely experienced and enthusiastic about riding the Alps! It would in fact be fair to say they are in generally addicted to single track. If you want a guide who loves the job and is very happy to share the mountains then this is the trip for you. Your guide will also be a qualified International Mountain Leader. To acquire these qualifications a guide, as well as being a talented biker, also has to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the alpine environment, flora and fauna and local culture. Any questions just ask!
Minimum numbers
This trip will run once a minimum number of 4 clients have booked. We will take a maximum of 8 clients. We advise you not to make your travel arrangements until the trip is guaranteed to run.
Itinerary
The itinerary is given for guidance, but obviously may need to be changed at the discretion of the guide depending on the weather conditions, physical ability of the clients and the trail 'options'.
Further Information
Chamonix is easily reached from other European & Worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. For suggested travel links please refer to our Booking & Information pages for further details. Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1 hour 15 minutes away by road, making shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange. Please contact us if you need further advise on your specific travel requirements.
