Mountain bike France

Superb singletrack riding on this high alpine MTB classic around the top of EuropeRef CY59

A magical trip around the Mont Blanc, highest summit in Europe (4810 m). Starting in Chamonix and heading in a clockwise direction around this mythical summit we successively cross the French, Swiss and Italian borders. Our route takes us to the foot of mighty glaciers, over breathtaking cols, and of course along plenty of superb singletrack. We discover traditional villages and their wooden chalets, local farming life and the fabrication of the many different cheeses of the region. The Tour du Mont Blanc, simply one of the best mountain bike tours in the Alps!

Guided version: from 1160€ - DetailsSelf-guided version: from 920€ - Details Duration : 6 days | Level : Customer satisfaction :
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+33 458 140 435 A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
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Highlights

  • Amazing panoramic views of the Alps and the Mont Blanc range
  • Incredible singletrack descents and traverses
  • A great alpine challenge
  • "Mont Blanc Summit" option

Description

Comments

  • "Mont Blanc Summit" option: after this tour, you can extend your trip with an ascent on foot to the top of the Mont Blanc (4810m). Please contact us for more details.
  • This is a tour for experienced mountain bikers with good fitness who are at ease on technical single track. If in doubt, don't hesitate to call us for a chat.
  • Special offers for private groups. Please contact us for a quote.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1:  Chamonix - Balme Pass - Trient (SWITZERLAND)

Itinerary start : Rendezvous on the first day is at 12:30am on the carpark of the Flégère cable car (located in Praz de Chamonix, chemin de l'école). The SNCF Praz train station is located 50m away. 

We will leave directly from the parking. Please arrive in your cycle clothing (plan to have had lunch).

(Important: be on time for the meeting and ready to go because we must not miss the last skip of the Balme / Vallorcine cable car!... )

We depart on our bikes from Chamonix, at the foot of the majestic Mont Blanc. We head deep into the valley which takes us to Tour Village, while passing by the foot of the moraine of the Argentiere glacier. From the balcony path in the forest, we see appear the massif of the Aiguilles Rouges, some 2,000 m higher up. From this standpoint, we still feel quite small..... Arrived at the hamlet of Tour, we take the Balme cable car which propels us up to Balme pass, some 1,200 m higher up. A short, but intense effort allows us to reach the little pass of Croix de Fer, which allows us a magnificent descent crossing the alpine pastures and then a forest full of larch and spruce trees. Night in mountain hostel. 

  • Distance covered: approx. 30 km
  • Altitude gain: 600 m
Day 2:  Trient - La Fouly 

Heading toward the Trient glacier by way of a small paved road that is unaccessible to cars. A short portage and, there you have it, we are at the foot of the impressive glacier. We then follow the running water and the "bisses", little irrigation canals which also transport ice (you will better understand when you see them!) We reach the Trient pass. The view opens up onto Martigny and the Rhone plains. At the pass, we take the trail up to Bovine alps, a mix of rinding, pushing and carrying our bike.  Long descent on single trail into the valley down to Champex. The chalets look like pictures on postcards.....We pass along the shores of Champex's cute little lake and then a superb technical descent through forest to rejoin Val Ferret. We climb back up on a balcony path lined by the Dranse river banks. What beautiful views on the small rock tower of Clocher du Portalet. Arrival in La Fouly (1,600 m), a small resort at the foot of the Tour Noir and the Grande Lui.  Settle at the mountain hotel for a traditional meal and a good night sleep. 

  • Distance covered: approx. 40 km
  • Altitude gain: 1800 m
Day 3:  La Fouly - Courmayeur (ITALY)

This morning, we go towards the hamlet of Ferret, while crossing the alpine pastures under the imposing mass of Mont Dolent. From Ferret, we climb  up a slope which allows us to rejoin the alpine pastures of Peule, summer residence of the famous queens of the Herens race (traditional black cows, very popular for fighting. From Peule, we follow the touring path of the Mont Blanc to rejoin Ferret pass which borders Switzerland and Italy, garded by the magnificent Niddle of Triolet. An demanding climb, but entirely feasible on mountain bike! And then the beautiful technical descent to Helena refuge, before to start a long, rolling descent onto Courmayeur. The ripped form of the myth-like Grandes Jorasses appears...

  • Distance covered: approx. 40 km
  • Altitude gain: 1700 m
Day 4:  Courmayeur - La Gitte

Narrow road, fireroad and single trail succeed one another to reach the longest portage of our trek which arrives at the Seigne pass (approximately 30 minutes of walk). Wondefull view on the glaciers the entire way up our climb... At our arrival, superb panorama onto the Aiguille de Tre la Tete and its sharp surroundings which make us forget our efforts... From La Seigne Pass, sumptuous downhill on single track onto Chapieux valley, and the glacier city, which named like  "l'Aiguille des Glaciers", the summit dominating it. We are at an altitude between summer alpine pastures and the rock and glaciers of the high mountains. 

We climb to the Cornet of Roselend by these last 5 km of road...to a concert of cow bells (Tarines and Abondances cows, certified to make the famous  Beaufort cheese). From Cormet, a technical traverse allows us to stay in the same altitude range amidst the alpine pastures before diving, by a technical path, into the Plan de la Laie valley. From here, we start the integral tour of Roseland Lake : we gain some altitude on an alpine path, take steep balcony path above the lake before following the banks of the lake to join the Roseland dam. We leave Roseland Lake and it's emerald waters to climb the short Sur Fretes pass from where appears the enchanting valley of La Gitte: alpine pastures, river torrents,  abrupt surrounding summits...Night in mountain refuge ideally settled. 

  • Distance covered: approx. 55 km
  • Altitude gain: 2000 m
Day 5: La Gitte - Bionnassay

From this haven of peace, we start the ascension of La Gitte pass on a superb path with a multitude of switchbacks. We carry our bike shortly (or better, push our bike), and  we reach La Gitte pass: superb 360 degree panorama on the Alps:  Aravis, Beaufortain, Bauges and, of course, Mont Blanc massif. A magnificent single track downhill is waiting for us to join the Joly pass. A new, wonderful view on Mont Blanc... Descent on les Contamines while crossing the alpine pastures and the forest. Passage to a pretty roman bridge before taking  a bit of altitude in underbrush to reach another dreamy single track leading us to Contamines....beautiful paths alternating between the depths of the valley and the balconies await us before we reach the Contamines ski resort, nestle at the foot of the abrupt mountains and glaciers. 

  • Distance covered: approx. 45 km 
  • Altitude gain: 1600 m 
Day 6: Bionnassay - Chamonix

We reach Saint Gervais by following the valley of Bon Nant and it's multitude of traditional chalets. In Saint Gervais, we begin our last ascension of the week to go over our last obstacle, which will separate us from the valley of Chamonix. Another beautiful descent in underbrush which we savor until Houches. Passage in front of the Bossons glacier to reach Chamonix, where we arrive in the early afternoon.

  • Distance covered : approx. 35 km
  • Altitude gain: 1200 m

Itinerary end: The trip ends on the carpark of the Flégère cable car around 1-2 pm. On request we can book extra nights for you in Chamonix as well as transfers to Geneva airport.

Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.

Dates and price

Dates
Start date End date Duration Price
21/09/2025 26/09/2025 6 days 1160 €

Costs and services guided tour

The price includes:
  • Professional guiding by a certified mountain bike guide (English-speaking)
  • 3 nights in 2* hotels or mountain lodges in double/twin rooms
  • 2 nights in mountain refuges in dormitories
  • 5 breakfasts
  • 5 dinners (3 to 4 course menu)
  • 6 picnic lunches
  • Daily baggage transfers (1 item per person, 15 kg max.)
  • La Balme cable car ticket
What is not included:
  • International flights & your transfer to the meeting place
  • All services mentioned in extensions
  • Bike rental
  • Mountain bike rental
  • Insurance, assistance
  • Drinks at the accommodation
  • Visits to museums, monuments and sites
  • Additional travel related to change in the programme due to bad weather
  • All personal expenses
  • Everything not mentioned under  “the price includes".

Available extra services

(prices per person)

  • Extra nights in Chamonix in 3* hotel before or after the tour: depending on dates, upon request
  • Transfers to and from Chamonix (e.g. Geneva airport): available on request

Mountain bike rental

Mountain bikes are available for rent for the guided and self-guided versions of this tour. The bike is to be picked up from (and returned to) our rental partner shop in Chamonix, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments. The store will ask you for a credit card deposit (from €500 to €1,500 depending on the bike). Please contact us for more details on the available models.

Full suspension MTB, all mountain
Giant Trance x29.1 or equivalent, 150/135 mm suspension travel
435 € / 

Full suspension MTB, premium all mountain bike
Santa Cruz Hightower 3 or equivalent, 150/140 mm suspension travel
635 € / 

Private groups / Custom tours

You are a group of friends, a family, a company or a cycling club and you would like to organise a private cycling tour on the dates of your choice. This option is available for guided and self-guided tours.

  • If you are interested in one of the tours presented on our website, we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in your group.
  • If you are interested in a custom version of one of our tours, with specific requirements (tour duration, accommodation type, vehicle assistance, airport transfers, bike rental, etc.), we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in the group and the group's specific requirements.

For more information or to receive a quote, please contact us by phone at +33 458 140 435  or by email at info@france-bike-trips.com.

Booking with us

Expert advice
  • Unsure which tour to book?
  • Interested in a custom version of one of our tours?
  • Not sure if a particular tour is suitable for your riding style?

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (French time) by phone - +33 458 140 435 or by mail - info@france-bike-trips.com.

How to book

In order to make a booking please fill in the online booking form on the "booking" page of your chosen tour. At the end of the booking process you will be transferred to our bank's secure payment page in order to pay a 30 % deposit.

Last minute booking

All self-guided bookings made within 21 days of tour departure will incur a surcharge of 15 € per person.

Payment options
  • by credit card via our website (Mastercard and Visa accepted)
  • by bank transfer (bank details on request)
Tour confirmation

In order to confirm our guided tours, we need to reach a minimum number of participants (usually 5 persons are necessary). Therefore booking a guided tour does not necessarily mean the tour is confirmed. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your chosen tour, we will offer you the opportunity (no less than 21 days before departure) of switching to another (confirmed) tour, or receiving a full refund.

Self-guided or custom tours: We confirm bookings of self-guided tours and custom tours directly after booking.

In both cases, please await our final booking confirmation before making any travel arrangements.

Balance payment

Your invoice will be available 5 weeks before tour departure. Tour balance payment must be made no less than 30 days before tour departure. Your travel documents will be sent to you once we have received your balance payment. Road books and maps will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.

Cancellation

In the event that you are obliged to cancel your tour France Bike Trips will reimburse the entire sum paid for the tour, minus the following cancellation charges:

  • More than 60 days before departure: 5 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 15 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 30 and 21 days: 30 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 20 and 14 days: 50 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 13 and 7 days: 70 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium

Full details of our sales conditions are available here.

Travel insurance

It is important to be correctly insured when embarking on a cycling holiday. We recommend checking the details of your travel insurance (if you have one) and, if necessary, subscribing to our contract below. Please note that France Bike Trips is simply an intermediary between you and the insurance company.

You can choose between these travel insurance contracts while completing your booking form:

  • I subscribe to the "comprehensive multi-risk" insurance cover (4.5%), minimum premium of 15 €:
    This contract covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage, holiday interruption and cancellation. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "cancellation only" insurance cover (2.5%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers cancellation only. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "repatriation & assistance" insurance cover (1.6%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage and holiday interruption. To see the full contract, click here.

Recommendation:
If you choose to take out a travel insurance policy with another insurance company, please check that the search and rescue coverage is suitable: area covered, expenses included, risks covered (as an indication, a minimum cover of 15 000 € is recommended). Please note that credit card insurance rarely offers this type of coverage.

Groupe size and guiding

For guided trips we limit the size of our groups from 5 (min) to 12 (max) persons in order to ensure security and conviviality.

You will be guided by English-speaking French mountain bike guides.

No size limitation for self-guided groups.

Car sharing

If you sign up for a guided tour, we offer you the opportunity to see if you can carpool with other participants to get to the point of departure. To do this, go to "Car sharing" in our website. By entering the complete reference and the date of departure of the tour (available on the registration confirmation that we have sent you), you have access to route details and emails of other participants who wish to carpool.

Getting there

By train: From Paris Gare de Lyon train station to Chamonix train station (about 4h30 by TGV train).
https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

By plane:

  • From Lyon airport: join the Lyon train station then head to Chamonix.
  • From Geneva airport: join the Geneva train station then head to Chamonix.

By car:
Route planner: en.mappy.com

Accommodation

We favour comfortable accommodation with warm hospitality. For more details, please see the "Costs and services" section.

For private groups and self-guided tours it is possible to choose alternative accommodation (upgrade) depending on availability.

Food

"L'art de la table"

We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of your meals.  Fresh and local produce will be served wherever possible.

  • Continental breakfasts taken at the accommodation
  • Cold picnics for lunch (mixed salad, bread, cold meats, cheese and fruit). Each participant carries his picnic in his daypack
  • Cereal bars and dried fruit during the day
  • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)

Baggage

During the day you carry only a daypack for additional clothing, water, food, camera, etc. The rest of your baggage is transferred each day to the following nights accommodation.

Health

We strongly recommend having a medical check-up before your holiday. 

Our / Your state of mind

- A "group" tour: If you join a guided tour, you will be part of a group for several days. This is a superb opportunity to meet new people and share some magical moments. However, a group tour requires that each person show friendliness, openness and mutual respect for their fellow travellers.

- An "adventure" tour: despite the most careful preparation, adventure tours can present unforeseen events. Accepting these risks will help you enjoy your trip to the full, in the knowledge that your guide, our local partners and the entire France Bike Trips team will offer you the most suitable solutions to any given situation.

Bike and plane / train

If you decide to bring your own bike, be aware that transporting a bike by plane or train is no longer an issue. However a few simple guidelines help to optimise the transport and avoid potential damages that could occur.
Your bike must be transported in a designated bike bag (standard size 120x90cm). This maximal size allows you to travel with your bike as "hand luggage" in any TGV and SNCF trains.
It is very important that you protect your bike in the bag. After having deflated the tires, removed the wheels (by removing the quick release mechanisms), pedals and rear derailleur (which is left hanging on the chain), we recommend you wrap your bike inside the bag in a sheet of dense foam (thickness of 3 to 5 cm). A piece of cardboard or rigid plastic positioned between the foam and the inside of the cover can be beneficial to provide more rigidity.

Once folded up the bike bag will take up very little space and will be transported by the assistance vehicle during your tour.

Bike bags are available directly from France Bike Trips at a cost of 70 euros, plus postage.

Your equipment

Material provided by France Bike Trips (guided version only):
  • A group first aid kit
  • A repair kit and tools
Personal equipment to bring:
Luggage

All your luggage must fit in two bags: a daypack and a travel bag.

1/ Daypack

This is the bag you will keep with you each day whilst riding. This bag should not be too large (up to 30 litres).

It will contain: a picnic lunch, camera, waterproof, extra clothing, sunglasses...

Each day, your guide will advise you on what to bring in your bag according to the route and the weather.

2/ Travel bag

This is the bag that will be transported from one accommodation to the next by vehicle. It should contain all the belongings you will not use during the day.

Please note: Your luggage transported from one accommodation to the next must fit in a single bag and must not exceed 20kg maximum - or less if stated otherwise in the included services).

List of equipment to pack:
For your head
  • A cap or other head protection against the sun
  • A hat or headband
  • A mountain bike helmet (COMPULSORY).
For your upper body
  • Two cycling jerseys (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
  • A warm shirt or a sweatshirt
  • A fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
For your legs
  • Two good quality cycling shorts with chamois
  • Trousers
  • Casual short
  • A swimsuit
  • Waterproof trousers (recommended for our alpine tours)
For your feet
  • Mountain bike shoes (“multi-activity / outdoor” type with grippy soles or clipless biking shoes)
  • Sports socks (+ warm wool socks for our alpine tours)
  • Sandals (not compulsory, but nice during breaks...).
For your mountain bike

If you rent your MTB from France Bike Trips, this material is not necessary.

  • If you have tires with tubes: 2 spare tubes + puncture repair kit
  • If you have tubeless tires: sealant, a tube with presta valve (just in case), a spare tire
  • If you have V-brakes: 2 sets of replacement brake pads
  • If you have disc brakes: 2 sets of replacement pads
  • A rear derailleur cable + 1 rear brake cable
  • Chain lube
  • A pump
  • A high pressure pump for your suspension  (optional, your guide will have one).
  • VERY IMPORTANT: A spare derailleur hanger  (only if your rear derailleur is not integral to the frame).
Various
  • A pair of MTB gloves (+ warm waterproof gloves for our alpine tours)
  • A bike lock
  • A head torch with batteries
  • A pair of spare laces
  • A toiletry kit and towel
  • 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or camelbak)
  • A pocket knife
  • Some plastic bags to protect your equipment
  • A needle and thread
  • A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin; Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.

Dates

This trip can be booked any time from the end of June to the end of September.

Important: Due to the 2025 edition of the Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc, no trips (guided or self-guided) can be organized between 25/08/2025 and 31/08/2025 (included).

Self-guided version: costs and services

Price per person for a group of

Single-room supplement will be automatically charged in the case of odd-numbered groups.

The price includes:
  • 3 nights in 2* hotels or mountain lodges in double/twin rooms and 2 nights in mountain refuges in dormitories (a comfort version is available, see below)
  • 5 breakfasts
  • 5 dinners (3 to 4 course menu)
  • Daily baggage transfers (1 item per person, 15 kg max.)
  • Detailed travel documents, highlighted maps in digital format and GPS tracks

The price does not include the cable car ticket to Col de la Balme (day 1). Prices for your information (2019): 19 € to Charamillon (350m of ascent remaining) or 25 € to Col de Balme (top).

What is not included:
  • Lunch meals
  • Cable car in La Balme
  • Bike rental
  • International flights
  • Your transfer to the meeting place
  • All services mentioned in extensions
  • Insurance, assistance
  • Drinks at the accommodation
  • Visits to museums, monuments and sites
  • Additional travel related to change in the program due to bad weather
  • All personal expenses
  • Everything not mentioned under  “the price includes".

Available extra services

(prices per person)

Analogue highlighted maps
Map material is shipped to an accommodation of an extra night's accommodation (before the trip).
95 € / 

  • Bike rental: see dates & prices tab
  • Picnic lunches (available days 2 to 5): 15 € per day
  • Comfort-version supplement (5 nights in 3* and 2* hotels as well as mountain lodges in double/twin rooms): upon request
  • Extra nights in Chamonix in 3* hotel before or after the tour: depending on dates, upon request
  • Transfers to and from Chamonix (e.g. Geneva airport): available on request

GPS tracks

If you choose to book a self-guided tour, we provide the GPS tracks of the route. You will be able to download the GPX type files from your France Bike Trips user account once you receive our travel documents by email. They are compatible with all current GPS software applications and editors.

Accuracy

These tracks have been created using professional mapping software. There may be slight differences between the GPS track and the reality on the terrain. The GPS tracks should thus be considered a "plus" to help you find your way. However, they are by no means a substitute for orientation with the help of the highlighted map material.

The distances and altitude gain in the tour's programme remain the reference. Indeed, real-world altitude and mileages can be different and vary significantly from the data shown in GPS software applications.

Data privacy

We ask you not to publish these GPS tracks on any website, social network or anywhere else. Their elaboration required many hours of hard work, both to create the track in the field, but also in our software applications. The non-respect of this ethic would force us to remove these valuable tool from our offer.

Analogue maps (optional)

We offer digital map material with highlighted tracks for our self-guided tours by default. These are printable (A4, pdf format).

On request, we can provide you with analogue maps containing the highlighted itinerary and route infos (official French maps at a scale of 1:25,000). Shipment will be made to the accommodation of your extra night before the tour.

Price of this option incl. shipping within France: see available extra services

Please also give us an accommodation address for shipping if you do not book an extra night through us before the tour.

Analogue maps (optional)

We offer digital map material with highlighted tracks for our self-guided tours by default. These are printable (A4, pdf format).

On request, we can provide you with analogue maps containing the highlighted itinerary and route infos (official French maps at a scale of 1:25,000). Shipment will be made to the accommodation of your extra night before the tour.

Price of this option incl. shipping within France: see supplementary services

Please let us know in the booking form if you would like this option. Please also give us an accommodation address for shipping if you do not book an extra night through us before the tour.

Self-guided tour "user guide"

Active autonomy: what you need to know for our self-guided tours

In order to achieve the planned tour programme, you must:

  • Guide yourself with the highlighted maps and road book;
  • Choose suitable start times adapted to the lengths of the daily stages as well as your own riding pace, and leave an adequate safety margin of time;
  • Obtain daily weather forecasts from your hosts, and take into account the weather conditions when planning journey times;
  • Arrive at the booked guest houses and hotels listed in the programme on the given dates; 
  • Bring the necessary personal equipment to carry out the tour. France Bike Trips equipment list constitutes the necessary minimum;
  • Carry insurance policies and emergency telephone numbers with you at all times;
  • Be familiar with basic first-aid steps;
  • In the event of any problems during your trip, contact France Bike Trips (contact information in your travel documents). Possession of a mobile phone that works in France is strongly recommended.

Self-guided tours are undertaken without a guide and at your own risk. France Bike Trips cannot be held liable for any route error, misconduct, personal imprudence, inadequate planning or inappropriate reactions in the event of incidents.

Any programme change of your own initiative is under your responsibility and at your expense. 

Having said this, with our advice and good preparation, you should be able to look forward to a wonderful, trouble free holiday. Enjoy your trip!

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A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.


Phone number: +33 458 140 435

Contact us

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.

Please type in your email address in order to access tour details and description

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