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For experienced MTB riders, the Beaufortain (valley of Beaufort) is one of those almost unknown mountain bike paradises that make us "fall in love" with it: - On the way up, a network of wide, rolling mountain pasture tracks, used to collect milk for the production of the famous Beaufort cheese. They allow you to gain altitude very gradually and to pass from valley to valley in an absolutely splendid mountainous landscape: spruce forests, mountain pastures, traditional chalets and blue lakes in the foreground, massifs and summits of the Alps extending as far as the eye can see in the background... You sometimes have the impression of being "glued" to the Mont Blanc! - On the descent, countless small technical, narrow and winding paths, sometimes on dreamy ridges, and sometimes in forests worthy of Canada... A treat for lovers of fun and technical descents!
Itinerary start: Rendezvous with the organization team is on day 1 at 1pm at Albertville SNCF railway station. On request we can book the previous nights accommodation for you in Albertville.
We leave the Olympic city of Albertville and ride into the long and winding valley that leads into the heart of the Beaufortain. Our vehicle drops us off above the village of Beaufort where we can mount our bikes for our first rides.
Through a forest of spruce trees, we take a track on the side of the mountain offering a clear view of the Aravis chain and the resort of Les Saisies. At the end of the forest, a sudden and striking view of the Beaufortain summits: the Grand Mont (2686m), the Pierra Menta (2714m)...
We start our crossing towards Arêches, until the start of our first small technical path through the forest... The first few switchbacks go perfectly well in an almost Canadian atmosphere!
Distance and altitude gain : approx 20km and 650m
We leave the small family resort of Arêches and its typical chalets, to attack the first slopes of the Grand-Mont. We leave the forest in the mountain pastures and descend to the Saint Guérin lake. This is one of the 4 hydro-electric dams of the Beaufortain. Around the lake, and climb through the mountain pastures to Cormet d'Arêches, at the foot of Crêt du Rey (2633m).
Night in a small refuge lost in the middle of the mountain pastures. We will probably see the milking of the tarines, the cows that are particularly well adapted to life in the mountains and which provide the milk used to make the famous Beaufort cheese.
Distance and altitude gain : approx 35km and 1400m
Through the mountain pastures, we take a winding track that allows us to gain altitude almost without realising it... A short portage (about 10 minutes), allows us to access the ridge separating the lakes of Saint Guérin and Roselend. An unforgettable descent on the grassy ridge overlooking these emerald blue lakes, with the imposing Mont Blanc massif in the background. We reach the Col du Pré, from where we descend to the shores of Lake Roselend. After a stretch of rolling track along the lake, it's off again for a winding climb to the top of the Treicol mountain pastures.
This is followed by a demanding rollercoaster ride across the mountain to reach the Plan de la Laye, surrounded by the mountain pastures. Night in a lodge/gîte.
Distance and altitude gain : approx 40km and 1300m
We pass from lake to lake, always taking advantage of these famous alpine pasture tracks which allow us to appreciate the surrounding landscape... A short portage (or rather "push"), and here we are at the col de la Gîte: superb 360° panorama of the Alps. A magnificent single track descent awaits us to arrive just below the Col du Joly. We then descend to the foot of the Girotte dam, where we start a loop (optional) leading us above the Girotte lake. Again a very nice winding descent through the mountain pastures and spruce forests...
Night in a lodge/gîte.
Distance and altitude gain : approx 40km and 1200m
Ascent towards the Tête des 3 Coins (2067m), which separates the Beaufortain from the Val d'Arly. Magnificent view of the Aravis mountain range and its famous Pointe Percée. A long traverse on the flank gives us a good overview of the Beaufortain summits and the famous Grand Mont. A summit that has become increasingly well known since hundreds of people rush to its summit to cheer the participants of the famous Pierra-Menta ski-mountaineering race.
Superb ridge trail to reach Les Saisies. Here we are in the "Nordic" area...
Distance and altitude gain : approx 40km and 1300m
Today, we will try the fantastic downhill trails on the Val d'Arly side and continue to explore the countless trails of the Saisies Nordic area...
Distance and altitude gain : approx 40km and 1100m
After climbing Mont Bisanne as a warm-up, we embark on an incredible descent of more than 1600 metres of vertical drop! Only narrow and winding paths that are as fun as they can be, with a few small steep climbs to remember that you have to earn your descents! Yeeeepeeee !....
Our vehicle takes us back to the Albertville train station in the afternoon.
Altitude gain : approx 400m
Itinerary end: Separation at the end of the tour is in Albertville at 3-4pm. On request we can book the following nights accommodation for you in Albertville.
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
Average tour rating:
