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This 7-day crossing is a must for all those who love Alpine nature and scenery. On this trip we cross the northern part of the French Prealps, starting south of Geneva and ending in the paved streets of the Vielle Ville of Grenoble. From the heart of the Savoy Alps to the Dauphine, the scenery consists of steep mountains, deep valleys, forests, impressive limestone cliffs, gorges, Alpine meadows and the great lakes of Savoie: Annecy, Bourget and Aiguebelette. We start our route through the narrow streets of the old town of Annecy, along the lake, before we set off to discover the Bauges Regional Natural Park. This mountain range, dotted with pastures, forests and typical villages has preserved lots of its original character. From the Féclaz plateau, famous for cross-country skiing in winter, we will have a beautiful view of the huge Lac du Bourget. We take a superb singletrack descent down to the Savoy capital, Chambéry, where beautiful historic streets await us. We climb back up to reach a viewpoint overlooking Lake Aiguebellette, the smallest but arguably most beautiful of Savoy lakes. Then, by a Roman road, we head for the Chartreuse range, the second Regional Natural Park of our route. It is not by chance that the Carthusian monks withdrew to the heart of the dense and wild forests of the "emerald of the Alps" to make their famous liqueurs... Our crossing ends with a fantastic trail descent to the heart of the capital of the Alps - Grenoble.
From Lake Geneva to the sea... This circuit is the first part of the Grand Mountain Bike Traversee of the Pre-Alps called Les Chemins du Soleil, which consists of 3 one week circuits.
This mountain bike classic can be ridden in several stages or in one go for the foolhardy! A long traversee that takes you from the Alpine scenery of the northern Pre-Alps to the provençal atmosphere of the southern Pre-Alps and finally to the Mediterranean Sea.
Bauges, Chartreuse, Trièves, Dévoluy, Buëch, Verdon, Esteron, Nice hinterland... One after the other the mountain ranges open up on this alpine mountain bike trip, concocted with very little hike-a-bike and road sections.
On track for the Grand Traverse of the Pre-Alps!
Itinerary start: Rendezvous on the first day is at 1pm in front of Annecy SNCF railway station.
The appointment is given in Annecy, which is competing with Chambéry and Grenoble for the title of "Capital of the Alps". The city abounds in small medieval streets...just next to its lake, never far away. We start this stage with a stroll through the streets of old Annecy, before heading south to the Bauges range. Through a network of tracks, we reach the summit of Semnoz (1700 m), the local mountain bikers' eden, from which the view of Mont Blanc is already a reward... Night in a lodge (gîte).
Distance covered: approx. 25 km / Ascent: approx. 1300 m
The Semnoz did not become one of the references of the high Savoy mountain bike for nothing...and this 100 % singletrack morning will prove it to you! The magnificent network of playful trails will take us to the heart of the Bauges, a wild and unspoilt pre-alpine mountain range. This regional Nature park has preserved its old traditional houses, witnesses of the strong pastoral activity of the past. This activity remains dominant here. We then leave to the plateau of La Féclaz, the "little Siberia", one of the largest cross-country skiing areas in France. Night in a lodge (gîte).
Distance covered: approx. 40 km / Ascent: approx. 1200 m
Today, we dive into the deep spruce forests to reach the Chambéry basin. Superb views of the Chambéry cluse, the Chartreuse mountains (towards which we are heading) and the Belledonne range... But before returning to civilization, a detour via the Mont Saint Michel! The Savoyards also have their Mont Saint Michel, which overlooks the spa town of Challes les Eaux. If the panorama from the top chapel is worth the detour, the famous descent on singletrack will not make you regret having climbed it! Night in a lodge (gîte).
Distance covered: approx. 45 km / Ascent: approx. 1500 m
After meandering through the cute little historic streets of Chambéry, we climb the foothills of the Chartreuse by a rural road, then a forest track that takes us to a viewpoint: breathtaking views of the heart of the Chartreuse and the Mont Blanc at la Cochette at 1618 m. Descent in the valley on technical trails to Guiers Vif, the former Franco-Savoyard border, towards our lodge, overlooked by the summits of the Hauts de Chartreuse.
Distance covered: approx. 35 km / Ascent: approx. 1500 m
After 8 km of road (unavoidable...), we ride some of the cross-country ski tracks of La Ruchère. The tracks gets straighter and straighter to reach the first difficulty of the day. We ride down through dense forest to reach a remote valley where the Grande Chartreuse Monastery is hidden. After going around this mystical place, we climb a steep and regular slope that takes us to our next lodge (gîte).
Distance covered: approx. 30 km / Ascent: approx. 1400 m
Morning ascent via a pleasantly rolling forest track to reach the foot of the famous Dent de Crolles. This vertiginous rock face of more than 800 metres overlooks the Grésivaudan valley (where the Isère river flows), and Saint Hilaire du Touvet, one of the unmissable spots for international paragliders. Twisting paths between heaven and earth, crossing secret mountain pastures, before we take refuge in area of Chamechaude (summit of the Chartreuse) for a well-deserved night in our lodge (gîte).
Distance covered: approx. 25 km / Ascent: 1100 m
Last wake-up call of the mtb week: we are getting ready to end this crossing in "toute beauté". Well known by Grenoble mountain bikers, but jealously kept secret, the descent to Grenoble via this route is a little gem...sometimes technical (we will adapt the itinerary according to the level of the group), but always fun, this descent will surely be one of your most beautiful memories of this crossing. A slight last climb awaits us before the final descent, and the arrival on the banks of the Isère, in the heart of Grenoble. Separation at the Grenoble railway station.
Distance covered: approx. 20 km / Ascent: approx. 800 m
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
Itinerary end: Separation on the last day at around 3pm at Grenoble SNCF railway station.
Return to the start point of the journey.
It is possible to return to Annecy by regional train (TER Geneva - Grenoble).
If required, we can organise a vehicle transfer for your group back to the starting point of the journey. This service is only available if there is a sufficient number of participants. Please specify on your booking form if you would like to benefit from this service. We will then contact you in order to confirm whether the service will be available.
