© Ellie Mahoney - SeeChamonix.com
Chamonix Activity Report: 11th July 2012
Mountain biking with no limits in Chamonix
So we're well into July and the trails around the valley are getting busier and busier with lots of walkers, which means that you have to pick your trails carefully and take note of what's off limits to us bikers from now until the end of August - yes that's right some of our favourite trails are now subject to a bike ban...!
The good news is that there are a number of trails that aren't banned (as long as you don't annoy the pedestrians) and some that are totally MTB friendly with no pedestrians allowed - hoorah!
To give you an idea of rideable trails in July & August in technicolour detail, with maps and ascents / descents in a handy graph format, make sure you pick up a copy of The Chamonix Bike Book which has just hit the shops.
If, like me, you've already snapped up a copy (€13 a bargain!) then take note of these featured trails where you definitely won't get shouted at by ramblers or have the odd butty wanged your way as you fly past:
Hugh's Way, Hot & Cold, the Promenade de l'Arve, Lavancher XC, Vallorcine-Chamonix, Les Jeurs, the Tour of Le Tour or Lavancher DH routes.
You may also have a copy of the tourist office provided 'MTB Trails' pamphlet (available as a PDF here), which is now slightly out of date with the loss of the north shore track in Les Houches and the new green track up at the top of Le Tour. Our friends at The Chamonix Bike Book have kindly given us a list of routes that don't feature in the pamphlet, which should give you a bit more choice of where to go:
- Chemin entre les Gaillands et les Bossons (rive droite de l’Arve)
- Piste de la Roumna
- Couloir du Brévent
- Couloir de la Flégère
- Sur le chemin du retour des Nants
- Pistes de fond (CHAMONIX)
- Pistes de fond ( ARGENTIERE)
- Sortie de la VALLEE BLANCHE
- Piste de la Pierre à Ric (ARGENTIERE)
- Chemin de la Pendant, Croix de Lognan, pluviomètre
- Chemin du Vorgeat
- Sentier du Tour, Charamillon, chalet de Balme
Be aware that there are other Arrêtes Municipaux (bike bans) in place preventing you from riding in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, a big part of Les Houches, the Tour du Mont Blanc trails and the Les Houches dump trail. There are also arrêtes municipaux covering St Gervais, so it's best to check these out before making any big plans that may end up with you getting a ticket!
Find stockists for The Chamonix Bike Book on their facebook page.
Happy riding!!
