MTB: Tour du Mont Blanc
Chamonix Valley - Day One
The circuit of Mont Blanc by mountain bike - what a ride! One of the world's classic mountain bike rides passing through France, Switzerland and Italy.
Excellent mountain biking which can be very challenging at times with some long climbs and sections of pushing. The descents are mostly on singletrack trails and cart tracks with some technical sections. A great trip for those that want to do a true circuit of the highest mountain in Western Europe.
- Three countries in one week
- Technical terrain with views to die for
- Baggage transfer between accommodation
- Services of a professional local bike guide
- Seven valleys, 71 glaciers, 400 summits!
Download PDF version of this pageDepartures
| Trip | Departure date | End date | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTB: TMB1 | Sat 15 June 13 | Sat 22 June 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB2 | Sat 22 June 13 | Sat 29 June 13 | £795 | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB3 | Sat 29 June 13 | Sat 6 July 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB4 | Sat 6 July 13 | Sat 13 July 13 | £795 | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB5 | Sat 13 July 13 | Sat 20 July 13 | £795 | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB6 | Sat 20 July 13 | Sat 27 July 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB7 | Sat 27 July 13 | Sat 3 August 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB8 | Sat 3 August 13 | Sat 10 August 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB9 | Sat 10 August 13 | Sat 17 August 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB10 | Sat 17 August 13 | Sat 24 August 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB11 | Sat 24 August 13 | Sat 31 August 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB12 | Sat 31 August 13 | Sat 7 September 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB13 | Sat 7 September 13 | Sat 14 September 13 | £795 | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB14 | Sat 14 September 13 | Sat 21 September 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB15 | Sat 21 September 13 | Sat 28 September 13 | £795 | Places available | Make a Booking |
| MTB: TMB16 | Sat 28 September 13 | Sat 5 October 13 | £795 | Trip Guaranteed | Make a Booking |
The Tour of Mont Blanc is dedicated to riders not afraid of long climbs or carrying their bike, downhills can be technical in places, but the scenery is breathtaking and you will soon forget the effort! We ride in the opposite direction to other operators, giving us the benefit of rideable ascents and fantastic descents free from the crowds and close to nature! It is without doubt a brilliant and challenging trip for those who love riding in 'big' mountains!
View MTB: Mountain Bike the Tour du Mont Blanc in a larger map
Day 1 Arrival
Choose from meeting us at Geneva airport for our group pick up and transfer to the start of the ride in Chamonix or you can meet us in Chamonix. The meeting time for the transfer will be at a time which suits the majority of the arriving group members. Deposit baggage at evening accommodation with views of Mont Blanc. Unpacking and preparation of bikes. Last minute shopping requirements and possibility to visit Chamonix town.
Day 2 Chamonix, France to Trient, Switzerland
We depart Chamonix in the direction of Switzerland. Passing through the valley of Chamonix to Argentiere and Le Tour. We will take the gondola to the top of the Col de Balme at 2200m, and cross over the Swiss border. The view of the valley of Chamonix from Col de Balme is fantastic, with Mont Blanc as the centerpiece. Following a splendid singletrack descent we will arrive in the pretty Swiss village of Trient with views up to the glacier of Trient. Distance 30 km. Ascent: 500m. Descent: 1100m.
Day 3 Trient to La Fouly, Switzerland
Starting with the climb of Col de la Forclaz, from where the views over the Swiss Alps and the valley of Martigny and its vineyards are vast. Descend to Martigny through the vineyards and climb in the direction of the Swiss Val Ferret, skimming below glaciers and snowy summits. Arriving in La Fouly, at the foot of the Grand Col Ferret, the Italian Border. Distance 45 - 55 km. Ascent 1100-1700. Descent 1300-2000m.
Day 4 La Fouly, Switzerland to Courmayeur, Italy
Climb of Grand Col Ferret, at 2500m finds us in Italy! This is one of the 3 major col passes of this Tour of Mont Blanc. Stunning scenery at the top of the col of the Italian Val Ferret and of the Italian side of Mont Blanc (or now Monte Bianco!) Descend to Arnuva and depending on weather conditions and the groups fitness levels, climb to La Léchère to arrive in chic Courmayeur by a superb singletrack. Next stop ice-cream! Distance 35km. Ascent 1500. Descent 1000m.
Day 5 Courmayeur, Italy to Les Mottets, France
Warm up on the road then we hit the trail to arrive at Lago Checroui facing the Italian side of Mont Blanc. A beautiful balcony trail giving us the chance to see famous summits such as Noire de Peuterey, La Blanche and the Italian glacier and Lago Combal (one of the largest glaciers of the Mont Blanc range). The climb of the Col de la Seigne brings us to the French border and is mostly rideable, however the end is quite steep and you may have to push your bike! The descent to Les Mottets is a fantastic, technical (in places) singletrack, where you will find Martial grinning at the bottom as it is one of his favourites! The Refuge des Mottets is a rustic old farmhouse and dairy renovated to welcome trekkers and bikers and is a true alpine experience. Distance 54 km. Ascent: 1900m. Descent: 1500m.
Day 6 Les Mottets to Les Contamines, France
Starting with a road climb to Cormet de Roselend, then descending to Lac de Roselend followed by a long climb on a jeep track to the Col de la Gittaz at 2320m. The col offers vast southerly views and of the neighbouring summits. We will then descend to Col du Joly, which is technical (in places), a very short climb and a long semi technical downhill to the village of Les Contamines Montjoie: 900m of descent! Distance 40km. Ascent: 1000m. Descent: 1200m.
Day 7 Les Contamines to Chamonix, France
Last day but by no means the least! From Les Contamines Montjoie we will climb to Chalet de Miage, a summer altitude mountain village at the foot of the giant glacier of Miage, where you will feel tiny compared to the size of these glaciers! From Miage we will climb the Col de Voza above Les Houches and the valley of Chamonix with Mont Blanc back on our right hand side. A final technical downhill to Chamonix to end up back at the base of the 'Lord of the Alps'. Dismantle and pack bikes ready for departure followed by a well earned beer?
Day 8 Departure Day
Transfer to Geneva airport if required.
Price
Included: The guiding services of a fully qualified Mountain Bike Guide, hotel, dortoir and gîte accommodation for 7 nights, breakfast, picnic lunches and dinner, any transfers and cable cars involved in the itinerary and the transfer of your baggage between accommodation. Transfers from Geneva airport to Chamonix are also included. The meeting time for the transfer will be at a time which suits the majority of the arriving group members
Not included: Repair and maintenance of bikes. Travel Insurance, snack food and lunches, transfers and cable cars which are not part of the itinerary. It does not include the hire of any mountain bikes should you choose not to bring your own. Alcohol and extra drinks are not included.
Bikes
For this kind of trip you require a cross country or all round mountain bike with 100 to 160 mm travel. You can ride with a hard tail but a seat clamp is advised. If you choose not to bring your own bike then there are a number of hire shops to be found in Chamonix which provide a range of mountain bikes at varying hire costs. Hire shops carry out their own maintenance, but it is your responsibility to check that you are happy with the mechanical order of your hire bike. If bringing your own bike It is VITAL to ensure your bike is THOROUGHLY SERVICED to guarantee it is in good mechanical order before departure. If you are not mechanically minded, get your local bike dealer to service it for you.
Accommodation
During the trip you will be staying in a range of shared accommodation; either hotel, or bunk houses and for one night in a mountain refuge in dormitory style rooms. We always aim to provide clean and comfortable accommodation and the locations are excellent!
Minimum numbers
This trip will run once a minimum number of 4 clients have booked. We will take a maximum of 8 clients to one guide. We advise you not to make your travel arrangements until the trip is guaranteed to run.
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 75 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.
It might be possible to collect you from Geneva, but if your flight not at the pick up time for the majority of the other arrivals for this trip then we can give advice on the regular transfers to 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!
