recommended route
Tour du Mont-Blanc Bike: Vallorcine - Champex-Lac
Mountain Bike
· Valais
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/ VTT Vallorcine - Champex-LacPhoto: Valais/Wallis Promotion -
/ VTT SalvanPhoto: Valais/Wallis Promotion
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/ Mountain biking in the mountainsPhoto: Valais/Wallis Promotion
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/Photo: Valais/Wallis Promotion
This scenic itinerary from Vallorcine to Champex-Lac explores the dramatic Mont-Blanc region straddling the French-Swiss border.
moderate
Distance 38.3 km
5:29 h
1,667 m
1,462 m
Discover a mountain biking region of unique charm. Located at the heart of the Espace Mont-Blanc, the Trient valley links the Rhône valley and Chamonix valley, and promises a magical adventure. You’ll enjoy superb views of Mont Blanc, as well as a chance to visit fascinating attractions along the way – from natural gorges and the Trient glaciers to Emosson, with its dams, geological site and fossilised dinosaur footprints. The magnificent route beginning in Vallorcine (France) and ending in Champex-Lac (Switzerland) offers pure biking pleasure.
Author’s recommendation
Visit the pink church of Trient, take a break at the sunny summit of the Col de la Forclaz and explore the Durnand gorges.
Difficulty
S0
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Tête de Balme, 1,656 m
Lowest point
Le Brocard, 553 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Safety information
Use marked bike trails and routes only, making sure you observe all signposting. Kindly close gates after passing through. Please be considerate to walkers, as well as to plants and animals. As a rule, walkers have priority. When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.Tips and hints
More Information:
Start
Vallorcine (1,262 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'560'802E 1'098'046N
DD
46.032815, 6.932397
DMS
46°01'58.1"N 6°55'56.6"E
UTM
32T 339996 5099771
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Destination
Champex-Lac
Turn-by-turn directions
You can reach the start of the ride in Vallorcine by train, on the Mont-Blanc Express from Martigny (or from Chamonix). The route initially climbs to the base station of the Tête de Balme chairlift before crossing the border into Switzerland and then descending to the pretty hamlet of Les Jeurs. Continue to the village of Trient, where you can visit the famous pink church. Then take the old La Forclaz road up to the Col de la Forclaz and begin the long descent to Martigny-Croix. This is where the ascent to Champex-Lac begins. Climb as far as Les Valettes. From here, take the road to the right that leads to the Durnand gorges, which you can visit along the way. Then continue the climb as far as Champex-Lac.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Take the SBB train to Martigny. Then take the Mont-Blanc Express in Martigny (or Chamonix).Getting there
A9 motorway to Martigny (exit 21). Park in Martigny.Parking
As this route has different starting and finishing points, make use of public transport to reach the start of the ride in Vallorcine. Take the Mont-Blanc Express train from Martigny.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'560'802E 1'098'046N
DD
46.032815, 6.932397
DMS
46°01'58.1"N 6°55'56.6"E
UTM
32T 339996 5099771
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in Trient has a range of brochures and other informative material about mountain biking in the region.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1324 Barberine, 1325 Sembrancher et 1345 Orsières
Equipment
We recommend: a bike in excellent working order, a helmet, gloves and a bell, clothing suitable for the weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.Difficulty
S0
moderate
Distance
38.3 km
Duration
5:29 h
Ascent
1,667 m
Descent
1,462 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Duration
: h
Distance
km
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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