Circumnavigate Mont Blanc, Trans-Alps with RideAway

DAY BY DAY ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

DAY 1: Geneva is the nearest international airport to Verbier, 170 km away. Train journeys from Geneva Airport to Verbier will involve 2 trains, a walk and a bus. The journey takes between 2h45 and 3h30. Last departure from Geneva airport 17h27 - there are 11 departures from Geneva Airport almost hourly from 06h27.

The Geneva train station is located 300 metres from the Geneva airport departures/arrivals levels. Arrival in Verbier, after you have settled in we will go out for a 2 hour warm up ride in which we will concentrate on riding skills for the Alps and take you through some example situations of what to expect on the trails the coming week.

DAY 2: Breakfast from 7.30 and departure for the first stage at 10.00. We will descend into the valley and will pass through some authentic Swiss mountain villages. At the lowest point we will continue our journey into a new valley. We will be riding a mixture of gravel paths and single track to our overnight at the base of the Mont Dolent with great views of the La Neuve Glacier and the rugged peaks of the Aguilles Rouges.

DAY 3: After a short warm up on the asphalt we turn onto a jeep track that will eventually turn to single track. A beautiful but demanding climb will bring us to the mountain pass Grand Col Ferret with spectacular views over both the Swiss and Italian side of the mountain range. Impressive rock formations, massive glaciers and roaring alpine streams. What follows is a technical descent on the Italian side until we reach the mountain hut, Refugio Elena. After this lunch stop we continue down the valley and will turn off onto a steep jeep track on the left side of the valley for a challenging climb and a beautiful traverse with views across to he glaciers of Mont Blanc. From Courmayeur on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Tunnel we will have to climb up to our overnight destination refugio Elena with uninterrupted views across to Mont blanc.

DAY 4: We start with a short downhill but will soon be climbing up to the Col the Seigne on the border with France. The climb will start on asphalt but will turn into a jeep track after which we will follow the old smugglers trail over the mountain pass. The pass offers us once again a great view, this time into France. A flowing and long downhill will bring us down to a group of old barns and further down to the remote village of Les Chapieux. In winter this valley is tortured by avalanches and is therefore cut of from the outside world for most of the winter. From here we start our climb to Cormet de Roseland. We will stay overnight on the border of Lake Roseland

DAY 5: We will start climbing almost instantly. A farm track leads us above Lac de Roseland from were we can see the next climb winding up the mountain in numerous hairpin turns. This long climb leads us to the top of Col de Gittaz that we will reach by carrying our bikes for the last 20 minutes. From the top we have one of the best views of the of Mont Blanc and its impressive glaciers. A technical decent and short climb gets us to Col de Joly after which we start our final decent to Les Contamines. The comfortable hotel and swimming pool will offer some welcome relaxing time.  

DAY 6: The first kilometres we follow the river on a single track with short ups and downs. After this fun track we will start the steep climb up to the Col de Voza. From there it is down to Les Houches and a ride along the river to the center of Chamonix. Those that would like to make an extra loop can join us for a ride up to Balcon du Nord and a spectacular single track decent into Chamonix.

DAY 7: We follow the valley up towards Argentiere and La Tour. In La tour you have the option to take the lift or climb up to Col de Balme which is the border with Switzerland. From the col a spectacular single track leads us into the Trient Valley. Our last Climb will be to the Col de Forclaz. Catch your breath with a ride down to the old Roman city of Martigny in the Rhone Valley. We will celebrate the end of our tour around Mont Blanc with a drink on one of the terraces to wait for the van to drive us back to Verbier.

DAY 8: After breakfast it is time to say goodbye. You bring home memories of a great mountain bike adventure……. Already looking forward to your next tour in the Alps.

If you have any energy left at the end of the day then there is still the golf course and the sports centre offering tennis and squash as well as both an indoor and outdoor pool. Those still standing can enjoy a cold beer at some the many local pubs. – but without the queues and fur coats seen so often in the winter.