Chamonix to Zermatt:
the legendary Haute Route adapted to Mountain Bikes...

The Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt is certainly one of the most famous routes in the Alps. Initially made by alpinists, this itinerary is adapted for Mountain Bikes.
Starting under the shadow of the Mont Blanc, Chamonix, France and finishing gazing up at the Matterhorn, Zermatt, Switzerland. This is a dream tour for those who like to ride on technical alpine trails and discover breathtaking scenery.

The 'Haute Route' from Chamonix to Zermatt, From Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn by Mountain Bike!!

This tour is in the heart of the Alps, surrounded by 4000 of the Swiss Alps. During the tour we will ride through several high alpine passes at an altitude of over 2500m, including Pas de Lona, Basset de Lona and Illsee pass. We will ride the well maintained Swiss singletracks and take the time to appreciate the breathtaking alpine summits and glaciers including Weisshorn, Breithorn, Pigna D'Arolla to name just a few... We will pass through charming old Swiss villages with their narrow streets of wooden chalets draped in colourful abundance with Swiss flags and geraniums and meet the local shepards in the alpine pastures taking care of their "Queens", the famous black fighting cows.

This is more than a bike tour, it is a ride into Swiss alpine culture!
8 days - level 4/5
Click here for the trip details and availability
PRICE: 1895 €

INCLUDED

ALPSMOUNTAINBIKE cycling jersey 7 nights accommodation all meals from dinner on Saturday of arrival to breakfast Saturday of departure picnic lunches Professional guiding lift passes in Chamonix valley luggage transfer to evening accommodation (inc. mountain refuge) Pick up and Drop off at Geneva airport Gronergratt train ticket in Zermatt return transfer to Geneva airport on Saturday of arrival/departure

NOT INCLUDED

Flights/Travel etc Expenses of repair and maintenance of bikes Cancellation/medical insurances and repatriation costs Extra lifts passes in Zermatt Bike hire Alcohol and extra drinks All that is not included/understood in the heading 'Included'.

Warning: This itineray is given for your information and may be changed at the discretion of the guide depending on the weather conditions, physical ability of clients and the trail 'options' we decide together.

The Schedule : arrival Saturday

DAY 1 of arrival (Saturday) : 'Meet and great' by ourselves at the airport and transfer to Chamonix. Deposit baggage at evening accomodation with view of Mont Blanc. Unpacking and preparation of bikes. Last minute shopping requirements and possibilty to visit Chamonix town.

DAY 2 (Sunday) : Ride to Le Tour, at the top of the Chamonix Valley, we will take the gondola to Col de Balme and ride the first technical descent to the village of Trient, Switzerland. Then climb the Col de la Forclaz and descend into the Martigny Valley and with its vineyards. We continue on to Val de Bagne and Verbier by following the contours of the valley via both road and trails, finishing by taking a lift to arrive in the ski resort of Verbier.

Ride distance: 40km Uneven positive: 1000m Uneven negative: 1500m Physical difficulty: 2/5 Technical skills: 3/5


DAY 3 (Monday) : Starting from Verbier with an amazing views on the Grand Combin and Mont Blanc range and heading towards Evolene following the itinerary of the 'Grand Raid Cristalp race'. We firstly pass the Croix de Coeur pass and descend on a splendid singletrack. The rest of the day provides several climbs and descents, one by lift with the reward of a long descent on a spruce needle covered spongey singletrack... Whaaa! A long final climb (about 1 hour) takes us to the top of Sex Pey, followed by the technical final descent of the day to the quaint Swiss village of Evolene nestled in a narrow valley.

Ride distance: 65km Uneven positive: 1900m Uneven negative: 2400m Physical difficulty: 4/5 Technical skills: 3/5

DAY 4 (Tuesday) : Involves the big climb of the two highest passes of this tour, Pas de Lona at 2787m and Basset de Lona at 2792m. We first climb the Pas de Lona on a jeep track, and with a 30mn 'hike-a-bike' section to the top. The ride between Pas de Lona and Basset de Lona is 'swoopy' and the climb of Basset de Lona is rideable to the top. The reward is a long and varied descent passing near the beautiful lake of Moiry and finishing with a nice singletrack to the village of Grimentz.

Ride distance: 45km Uneven positive: 1900m Uneven negative: 1900m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5

DAY 5 (Wednesday) : An early start for another long day on the bike. We will ride via the Illsee pass at 2544m, from where we can see both the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc with a view of what we have acheived and what there is still to ride... After a short descent, a 30 minute pushing section follows with an epic and well deserved varied downhill descent. This descent is a mix of all the best trails you've ever dreamed about... Fast tracks, swooping and technical sections and tight corners, this is the addictive stuff! Breath easy the climbs are finished and a road/jeep track brings us to a point above Eischol, finishing with an easy downhill for the night, phew!!!

Ride distance: 55km Uneven positive: 1400m Uneven negative: 2000m Physical difficulty: 4/5 Technical skills: 3/5


DAY 6 (Thursday) : Change of ambiance today. We will ride on the ridge of the Swiss Rhone Valley and enter into the German speaking area of Switzerland: Achtung! After a warm up on a jeeptrack we will hit a singletrack and finish the climb with a 'hike-a-bike' section to the highest point for the day; the 'Moose pass' at 2048m. The view of the neighbouring peaks is stunning as we stand at the junction of the Zermatt and Saas-Fé Valleys. The descent to Saint Niklaus and the Zermatt Valley is excellent. We use singletracks and large trails and pass through alpine villages barely hanging on the mountain side.

Ride distance: 40km Uneven positive: 1100m Uneven negative: 1100m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5

DAY 7 (Friday) : The final day riding will be engraved on your memory forever. From Saint Niklaus we will head to Zermatt using trails and road. We will then ride the terrific trails of the Zermatt Valley... The group has a choice of lift to make the assent. The Gornergrat train to 3016m or the Sunnegga funicular. From both of these lifts the view of the Matterhorn, the Breithorn and the Monte Rosa is just inspiring. The descent down to Zermatt is fantastic and will definitely make your disc brake burn! Riding this tour, is what dreams are made of...

Ride distance: 40km Uneven positive: 700m Uneven negative: 1800m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5

Total ride distance: 285km !!!

Dismantle and pack bikes ready for departure the following day. Yes I think a well earned cold beer or two is a definite!

Day 8 : departure day (Saturday) : Transfer to Geneva airport.

* Please make sure to book a late afternoon or evening return flight, due to the transfer time to Geneva airport from Zermatt.



NB: this tour is run with a minimum of 4 clients. Lunches on Saturday of arrival and Saturday of departure are not included, but can be arranged at an additional cost.

BOOK THIS TRIP
Click here for the trip details and availability
PRICE: 1895 €
Dates 2020
From June 13th to 20th From June 20th to 27th From June 27th to July 4th From July 4th to 11th From July 11th to 18th From July 18th to 25th From July 25th to August 1st From August 1st to 8th From August 8th to 15th From August 15th to 22th From August 22th to 29th From August 29th to September 5th From September 5th to 12th From September 12th to 19th From September 19th to 26th From September 26th to October 3rd From October 3rd to 10th From October 10th to 17th
Level
MORE INFOS


Physical
difficulty
  • You are a mtb fan and ride 3-4 times a week at least for 2 hours non stop or more.
  • You can ride at intense pace for short periods (15 minutes)
  • You are able to cope with longer anaerobic efforts( 3-5 minutes).
  • You are comfortable with cycling more than 5 hours at steady pace per day.
  • you are able to climb 1 hour non stop.
  • you do not mind riding in rain if it occurs.
  • you are able to climb more than 1000 meters (3000 feet).
    • vertical ascent a day over 5 days including hike-a-bike sections ( more than 10 minutes).


    Technical
    difficulty
  • You are experienced and have ridden in a lot different situations ( dust, gravels, rocks, roots, mud, slippery terrain) and different types of singletracks.
  • You can go down a drop above 30 centimeters (about 1 foot).
  • You rarely walk uphill or downhill.
  • You are not afraid of steep singletracks uphill and downhill
  • You like the technical challenge and you would like to improve your skills.
  • You can cope with tight corners while downhill with rock and roots.
  • You can ride along a technical descent for at least 30 minutes.
  • You are confident in riding with little exposure.
    		•
    YOUR BIKE
  • The best option is to ride on your own mountain bike, as it is familiar to you.
  • PLEASE NO XC bikes or short travel bikes (below 130mm)
  • A full suspension bike with at least 130 mm of front and back travel is required.
  • You need to have big grippy tires front and back, minimum 2.3 solid casing.
  • Possibility of renting a full suspension bike from 365 euros a week in the local sports stores (list on request).
    		•
    Distance : 280 km - Ascent : 8300 m - Descent : 11000 m
    Duration8 days: arrival on saturday , departure on saturday
    7 nights accomodation
    6 days riding
    Saturday to Saturday
    Terrain
    From easy to very technical singletracks (some very technical) 'rocky and rooty' trails.
    Several hike a bike sections
    Location
    Starts in Chamonix France and finishes in Zermatt Switzerland
    Accomodations and food
    7 nights accommodation in hotels (based on double occupancy twin bedrooms). Each accomodations has a secure bike storage, bike-washing facilities, a bar with fresh beers ( there are important things in life! Dinners are 3-courses and each hotels can cater for specific dietary requirements ( veggy, vegan, gluten intolerant etc...), please let us in advance if you have specific diet.
    Lunch
    Our gourmet sandwiches are now reknown as we love to prepare some " deeluxe" lunch for fill your biker's hungry stomchs! So we provide a different sandwich freshly prepared everyday with delicious bread ( organic or whole wheat when possible) and local specialities. In addition we propose unlimited acces to trail snack and fruits!
    Pick up / Drop Off / Meeting point
    The closest international airport is GENEVA / Switzerland, about one hour transfer from Chamonix. The pick up and drop off from / to Geneva airport are included in the price of the trip. Please let us in advance your flight details. You will meet your guide and driver in Chamonix at dinner time. Please do not assemble your bike before you have arrived in at the hotel you'll stay in on saturday evening. Dependding wich trip you ride , you can leave your bike box safely at the hotel and find it back on friday
    Lodging
    7 nights accommodation in a mix of hotels
    (based on double occupancy twin bedrooms)