Mountain biking Rhônes-Alpes

What if you were to hurtle down the green slopes on board a small, fun and easy to drive car? On the magnificent Roc d'Enfer domain, you can discover the mountain in a different way. With family or friends, two downhill runs (2 and 4 km) await you, at the top of the Têtes and Torchon chairlifts. An original and fun way to enjoy the outdoors and the exceptional panorama. It is also possible to rent a scooter instead of a kart. Smiles, laughter, sensations, all in a sublime natural environment!

In the middle of the mountain, the resort of Châtel has many assets to make the most of its days, from the discovery of the village and its pastoral activity to the multiple sports activities. By car, on foot or by mountain bike, all means are good to visit the mountain pastures and cross-border villages. Mountain biking is king with an impressive number of routes and access to the Portes du Soleil domain. Tennis, swimming pool, horse riding, paragliding, climbing, white water sports, not forgetting the compact 6-hole golf course (and 18-hole mini-golf course) at the Loy leisure centre.

Mountain bike fan? Les Gets is home to Europe's biggest bike park, with over 128 km of marked trails for all levels, accessible by 3 lifts (Mountain Bike World Cup 2023). This incredible open-air leisure site offers many other activities, such as hiking to discover the peaks. It's also the perfect place to discover cani-rando. For more information, visit the tourist office. Some of Les Gets' ski lifts operate in summer, making it easy to set off on walks, hikes or mountain bike rides.

Let Ben and his team guide you for tailor-made mountain bike trips! Whether it's on the trails of the surrounding Bike Parcs (like the Portes du Soleil or the Grand Massif) or on the natural trails of the Giffre Mountains (from the resorts), embark on an experience that combines nature and adrenaline. Choose your expedition, for half a day or the whole day, and enjoy it to the full! The team also organizes 4-day courses to improve your skills. In winter, try mountain biking on snow for new sensations!

A playground for toothed wheels, with 3 trails to discover! Departing from the Darandet chairlift, close to the village center, the course comprises three runs: a green one (Daranverte), a blue one (Darandel) and a red one (Dré Bas). The latter runs through a spruce forest, with a series of banked turns, tables and whoops... There's also a fun trail at the bottom of the resort where you can discover mountain biking. For those who prefer to go at their own pace, there are also signposted mountain bike trails from the same departure point.

While waiting to participate in the Ardéchoise, the first round of world-wide cyclotouristique trials for its number of participants (each year, let's remember, more than 15 000 runners are at the meeting), perhaps you can start with progressive training around Saint-Félicien. The village is an excellent starting point for many cycling circuits. Get in the leg with the N ° 1 route and its 8 small kilometers, then continue with the 10 km of Route N ° 3. Smooth progress: Route N ° 10 includes only a few hundred metres extra. Finally, finish with the N ° 2 course, which will ask you for a little longer since it stretches over 17 kilometres… You want more? It is not the opportunities that are missing: Check with the tourist office for further itineraries.

Tariff: free.

Distance: from 7,8 to 17,3 km.

Difficulty: easy to average.

From the Chalmazel resort, you can choose from six signposted mountain bike trails. For those who prefer an easier option, opt for the 3.5 km Bois de Chapouilloux trail: accessible to beginners and lasting around 40 minutes, this ride winds gracefully through the fir trees, passing through the Plume and Sagnasson localities. The final descent is on the "wild boar trail", towards the Chalmazel ski resort.

Circuit from the Mountain VTT Mountain Bike Guide. Distance: 22,5 km. Departure of Chausseterre water plan. During this hike you will cross the educational trail of Black Woods. Then climb to Col Saint-Thomas at 931 m, where the sign "Here begins Auvergne, Here ends France". Then go into the middle of the forest in front of the Cabane of the Maquis (curiosity or many graffiti over 50 years of age are inscribed inside and inside the cabin). There you are waiting for three picnic tables with panoramic views. Get down on the water with a view of the Cornes Horns.

If you're looking for a fun experience, immerse yourself in the thrilling world of downhill mountain biking. Dozens of kilometers of groomed trails are available, suitable for all levels. From the simplest level, the green trail, to the most difficult, the black trail, you'll be spoilt for choice. You can also try water jumping, where the bike and rider land in the lake. For an effortless way up, the Tovière aeroski and Grande Motte funicular lifts are available. Unforgettable memories guaranteed.

Through woods and pastures, with wide paths and steep gradients, this route will delight thrill-seekers. It offers an exploration of the alpine pastures of the Vallée des Avals, beginning with a sustained ascent along a forest path to the Col de la Plata. Further on, a path leads to the Grand Plan refuge, ending on a forest track. This picturesque itinerary allows you to enjoy the whistling of the marmots. The starting point, at an altitude of 1,724 meters, is the Granges parking lot in Courchevel 1650.

The Boucle VTT du Vallon de Bellevaux is classified as an easy ride. The outing lasts around 1h30, covering just over 13 km with a positive gradient of 500 metres, which will put a slight strain on your physical capacities. Despite this, it's a very pleasant walk along the course of the Chéran, winding its way to the foot of Mont Pécloz, the third-highest peak in the Bauges massif at 2,197 meters.

Chris Bike, a specialist in sport and extreme bikes based in Dijon and Morzine since 2024, regularly organizes sports outings to get the most out of your mountain bikes. In Morzine, the Santa Cruz and Cervelo brands are on sale, with premium products that can be configured à la carte. A large selection of models is available for a full-scale test ride. And in summer Chris Bike organizes outings with on-site mountain guides or all-inclusive trips to mountain destinations elsewhere.

It is the scooter version of the electric bike. This structure puts at your disposal a large fleet of all-terrain electric scooters and offers you unique rides on various itineraries through the Drôme des collines from Genissieux and Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, near Romans, or through the vineyards of Tain-l'Hermitage. A great variety of easy hikes, leisurely or more technical routes, family outings or with friends. Scoot around and discover beautiful nature and heritage sites!

How about a breath of fresh air on the banks of the Giffre? From the beautiful blue lake of Morillon, you can follow a well-maintained and marked path that leads you to the lake of Samoëns: the Lac aux Dames. This itinerary without difficulties will lead you to the water's edge and in the forest, with magnificent views on the surrounding summits, such as the famous Criou and Pic Marcelly. A footbridge at the end of the route will announce your arrival in Samoëns. It will take you about 1h30 to do the round trip.

For nature-lovers, the Bugey tourist office organizes three-day weekend getaways on the Plateau de Retord every year. Everything is fully organized and included (equipment rental, gîte and catering). Real moments of relaxation await you, with the following program: introduction to biathlon, picnic, Quadrix Access wheelchair activity, electric Swincar activity and an hour's Nordic bath or sauna. Minimum 2 participants. Please book at least 2 weeks in advance.

Cycle Fred in Doussard is a bicycle store specializing in the sale and repair of bicycles in Haute-Savoie. Close to Lake Annecy, it offers a wide range of bicycles for adults and children, as well as a range of accessories and spare parts. The store also offers bike repair and maintenance services. Cycle Fred stands out for its availability, its wide choice of quality bikes and its professionalism. For more information, please contact Cycle Fred.