Explore the stunning mountain scenery of the Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys on this week long self-guided mountain biking trip. A spectacular ride for intermediate to advanced bikers.
Location: Champsaur and Valgaudemar Valleys, Southern French Alps
Months available: May, June, July, August, September, October
This trip is great challenge for experienced bikers who wish to explore this magnificent alpine region of the Southern French Alps.
The tour takes you through the Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys, two very contrasting landscapes with rolling alpine countryside to steep and dramatic high mountain peaks.
Throughout the trip you are skirting on the edge of the Ecrins National Park (mountain biking is forbidden inside the park) giving you access to this natural alpine paradise without disrupting it - a rare opportunity.
The route starts off in the Champoléon Valley which bars the end of the Champsaur Valley with the impressive mountains of the Ecrins National Park right all around.
There is the possibility of seeing marmots, chamois, ibex - there is even a pair of Golden Eagles that have made this valley their home!
As you wind your way through the valleys, each stage of this circuit will take you to a new and exciting landscape with a variety of challenges.
The route is very varied. You will ride technical single tracks through wild alpine forests, traverse spectacular mountain ridges with panoramic views, take it easy on forest pathways that cross alpine woods and meadows, discover unspoilt river and lakeside trails, tracks and canal paths.
We will transfer your baggage each day so you only need to carry a day pack. For lunches, we will give you information on places you can stop at en route for lunches or whether it is necessary to order a picnic from your accommodation!
Check out our mountain biking kit list for advice on what to bring and our top tips for mountain biking article!
Browse our other mountain biking holidays - perfect your descent technique with our downhill mountain biking holiday or cycle from the Alps to Provence!
If you are planning on travelling with your own bikes for this trip, we recommend that you avoid flying. You will need to take your bike apart for the flight and then put it back together again and there is always the risk of losing it on the plane. This leaves, either driving down or getting the train.
Driving down is straight forward and takes about 9 hrs non-stop from Calais so most people do it with an overnight stop. You can also hire a car, either at a nearby airport or directly in Gap, the main city in our area. Check out our partner's hire car rates.
If you get the train, the nearest train station is Gap which has rail links from Marseille, Grenoble, Valence and Paris (including an overnight sleeper). We can help you organise your train journey here and have local timetables available if you need them.
We can also arrange return transfers from Gap station to the starting point in Champoléon. Please ask us about this when you enquire.
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