Mountain biking
From the easy valley bottom wide trails to higher technical narrow tracks, the Chamonix valley offers an extensive well-marked mountain biking network for experienced riders.
Mountain biking access and regulations
- Downhill Mountain biking
- Regulations
- Tour du Mont-Blanc
DOWNHILL MOUNTAINBIKING
Downhill mountain biking trails can be found around Le Tour ski area, and easily accessible by lift: Le Tour - Col de Balme and Vallorcine, Bellevue and Le Prarion above Les Houches.
A Enduro trail on Planpraz resort allows you to descend to Chamonix on natural trails. Careful : this route is shared with hikers!
Mountain bikes are not allowed on lifts to Plan de l’Aiguille and Montenvers.
Description of the tracks
MOUNTAIN BIKING REGULATIONS
Trails allowing the presence of mountain bikers are many, yet some restrictions apply. A municipal by-law prohibits mountain biking within the Aiguille Rouge conservation area and in the Carlaveyron one.
Mountain biking is also restricted by law in the Chamonix valley between July 1rst and Aug 31.
Please visit the local Tourist Offices for maps and details. There are 20 marked mountain biking friendly loops and runs between Servoz to Vallorcine.
Le tour du Mont Blanc
During the past few years, mountain biking the TMB has become increasingly popular.
Easier to do clockwise (hikers do it mostly counter clockwise), it still remains strenuous, with many sections where it is necessary to carry the bike.
The various legislations must be respected in every countries.
In the Chamonix Valley, natural reserves are forbidden and during July - August, only some paths are allowed.
In Switzerland, mountain biking is prohibited on hiking trails and is only possible on bike routes.
These are the authorized paths in the Trient valley, as well as those of the Dranses basin (Orsières sector).
In Italy, mountain biking is tolerated as long as it does not disturb pedestrians.
In the Courmayeur valley, mountain biking is prohibited from 2021 from June 15 29 september on three trails (see the map):
- Col Sapin/ Tete Tronche/ Rifugio Bertone (TMB: high balcony)
- Leichy/ Rifugio Bertone/ Val Sapin (interpoderal cross)
- Checrouit Lake/ Arp Vieille/ Combal Lake