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
- Mountain Biking Regulations
- Signposted itineraries
- Tour of Mont-Blanc
- Downhill Mountain biking
MOUNTAIN BIKING REGULATIONS
Although the playing field is vast, there are restrictions in some municipalities :
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley :
Mountain biking is totally forbidden by local law within the perimeter of the Aiguilles Rouges nature park and the Carlaveyron nature park.
Mountain biking is also regulated during the summer period from 1st July to 31st August.
Courmayeur Valley (Val Ferret / Val Veny):
In Italy, mountain biking is tolerated as long as it does not disturb pedestrians.
Some mountain bike routes are forbidden by local law (from 15 June to 30 September) on three trails:
- Col Sapin/ Tete Tronche/ Rifugio Bertone (TMB: high balcony)
- Leichy/ Rifugio Bertone/ Val Sapin (interpodal crossing)
- Lac Checrouit/ Arp Vieille/ Lac Combal
Saint Gervais Les Bains : Mountain biking is forbidden all year round on some paths by local law
SIGNPOSTED ITINERARIES
Below you will find maps and links of signposted mountain bike routes.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley : Plan 2024 + Mountain Bike Fun Area
Trient Valley : Plan 2022
Valais : Plan 2023
Orsières / Ferret : Dranses basin
Val Ferret / Val Veny (Courmayeur) : Plan 2023
Vallée des Chapieux (Bourg Saint Maurice) : there is no signposting specially made for mountain bike. The route is shared between everyone (hikes, moutain bike, horses, etc)
Beaufortain : Espace VTT du Beaufortain
Les Contamines Montjoies : Espace VTT Les Contamines Montjoies
Saint-Gervais Les Bains : Espace VTT de Saint Gervais Les Bains
TOUR OF MONT-BLANC
The Tour of Mont Blanc is increasingly being done by mountain bikers. It is more "rolling" in a clockwise direction (as opposed to the hikers' tour) but remains difficult, with many sections where you have to carry your bike.
Here is a suggested itinerary for the 2024 MTB Tour du Mont-Blanc using the signposted routes.
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