Mountain Bike Tour of Mont Blanc

Starting out from our chalet base in the Chamonix Valley, we take 5 days to complete one of the world's greatest Alpine mountain bike adventure holdays. Taking us from France, into Switzerland and then into Italy, our mountain bike route is a variation of the classic walker's route around Mont Blanc, with easier biking sections to avoid the toughest cols - this cycling holiday remains a serious biking challenge.

Although most of the climbs are steep, and you will definitely have to push your bike on several occasions, the descents are rideable and provide superb mountain biking on some of Europe's best singletrack. Leaving the Chamonix Valley with the assistance of the Col du Balme cable-car, we have a fast descent to Trient, followed by another superb descent into Switzerland from the Col du Forclaz. Continuing via Champex and the Col Ferret into Italy, we traverse Alpine meadows and a succession of high passes that reveal breathtaking and ever-changing perspectives of the Mont Blanc Massif. This is an awesome mountain bike holiday that combines big climbs, technical descents, spectacular scenery and charming accommodation in high Alpine villages - truly a ‘killer loop' worthy of the name. A freeride day in Chamonix provides a suitably exciting conclusion to this superlative mountain bike holiday.

This is a superb and demanding mountain bike holiday riding through the Alps, mostly on singletrack and best enjoyed by experienced and technically accomplished riders. We bike along paths that contour valley sides, constantly climbing and dropping over passes. Many of the climbs involve some pushing or carrying of our bikes and even some short sections of the descents can be too technical to ride ‘clean'! Altitude is not generally a problem. The support vehicle cannot follow the bikes during the day but our luggage is transported for us to each overnight stop.

Generally speaking the cycling conditions are excellent, on broad paths and sometimes on rough jeep roads. There are, however, many sections of technically demanding singletrack, some tough climbs and plenty of very exciting descents. We can ride approximately 80% of the route, with the other 20% involving steep climbs and descents, which are too tough or technical to bike. We must stress that apart from the emergency tool kit and spares that you would take on any day ride, you will not be required to carry any luggage. This is pure Alpine mountain biking - not touring! Stunning scenery, wicked trails, atmospheric overnight accommodation and a logical circular route make this an unforgettable mountain bike holiday experience. Average 35 kilometres (22 miles) biking per day.