The E-MountainBike “Mini Haute Route”
from GRIMENTZ to ZERMATT

You dream to ride the Alps but do not have the time for a 8 day tour?
Zermatt is on your “ to ride list” ?
You have the technical level but you do not have time to train for this alpine adventure??
The Mini Haute Route , from Grimentz to Zermatt is perfect for you!
This short version of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt will allow you to enjoy alpine riding with less effort and more fun!

In this version , you can also join some riders who are riding the complete 8 day tour by joining them on Tuesday during their trip!

We will ride a itinerary specially adapted to E-MountainBike, limiting the pushing sessions to optimize the “ uphill flow”!!
The climbs will be on 4x4 path or nice singletracks and the descents on alpine singletracks for maximizing the fun! LESS EFFORT, MORE FUN!

The Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt is certainly one of the most famous trip in the Alps. Initialy made by alpinists, this itireray is now adapted for Mtb.
Starting from Chamonix, France, and the Mont Blanc and finishing in Zermatt, Switzerland, and the Matterhorn is just a dream for those who like to ride on technical alpine trails and discover splendid sceneries.

This point to point trip takes its roots in heart of the Alps, below the "4000" of the swiss alps, we'll pass several high alpine passes at more than 2900m such as Lona, col de Torrent, or Illsee pass , ride the well maintained swiss singletracks and take the time to have a look to the breathtaking alpine summits and glaciers such as Weisshorn, Breithorn, Pigna D'Arolla....We'll pass trough old quaint swiss villages, all wood made and their narrow streets to protect them form the cold in winter and meet the local shepards in the alpine pastures taking care of the "Queens", these famous black fighting cows....

More than a bike trip, it's dive in the swiss alpine culture!

This Chamonix to Zermatt trip is dedicated to bikers in good shape, thirsty of epic rides and not afraid of long climbs. Downhills can be technical in places, but the sceneries are breathtaking and you'll soon forget your pain!!

5 days - level 2/5
Click here for the trip details and availability
PRICE: 1050 €

INCLUDED

the guiding by a graduated French bilingual professional mountain bike guide expenses of organization 4 dinners / 4 continental breakfasts 3 lunchs during the riding days 4 nights accomodations in twin to quad room the transport of your luggage from place to place mechanical assistance at night free access to a complete tool box to maintain your bike possibilty to wash the bike everyday safe place to store the bike at night the road transfers when needed and Gornergratt train ticket in Zermatt the pick up at Sierre train station and drop off at Geneva airport on Tuesday arrival and Saturday departure day only the “Alpsmountainbike“ jersey

NOT INCLUDED

the fight ticket the expenditure in personal matter (drinks energetic drinks and foods etc...) the bicycle hiring the expenses of repair and maintenance of the bicycle the expenses of arrival to Sierre train station the cancellation/help insurances and repatriation and in general way all that is not included/understood in the heading "the price includes/understands"

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.

Riding E-MountainBike will help you for climbing, but you still need to have the minimum technical level to complet this trip!!

The Schedule : arrival Saturday

DAY 1 of arrival (Tuesday) : Pick up at the train station in Sierre, drive to the accomodation in the beautyfull wood made village of Grimentz “ Heidi's village” in Val d'Anniviers.
Bike adjustement and briefing.

DAY 2 (Wednesday) : Early start for another long day on the bike. We'll pas the Illsee pass 2544m from where we can see the Matterhorn and the Mont Blanc in the time and estimate the distance we did and what there is still to ride ....
After short traversing trail to a pass,an epic and varied Dh is the iciing on the cake.
This descent is a mix of all the best trails you've ever dreamed about, fast tracks, swoopy, technical parts , thigh corners , it's just Toooooo gooooood!!!
But the climbs are not finished and a mix of dirt roads and singletracks will bring us to above Unterbach, our stop for the night and we'll finish by a easy DH .

Ride distance: 45km Uneven positive: 1000m Uneven negative: 2000m Physical difficulty: 2/5 Technical skills: 3/5


DAY 3 (Thursday): Change of ambiance today. we'll ride on the ridge of the swiss Rhone valley and enter in the german speaking area of switzerland: Achtung!!!! After a warm up on a jeeptrack we'll hit a singletrack and finish the climb to the highest point for today: the moose pass 2048m. The view on the neighbooring peaks is stunning as we are standing at the junction of Zermatt and Saas-Fé valleys. The descent towards Saint Niklaus and Zermatt valley is splendid. We'll use singletracks and large trails and pass through alpine villages barely hanged on the mountain side.
Night in St Niklaus.

Ride distance: 35km Uneven positive: 1100m Uneven negative: 1100m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5

DAY 4 (Friday): This last day will surely be engraved in your memory for long time!!! From Saint Niklaus we'll go to Zermatt using trails and road and ride the terrific trails of Zermatt valley ..... You'll have the choice to choose the lift you want to take, the train to Gornergrat train 3016m or the Sunnegga funicular. From both of these lift the view on the Matterhorn, the Breithorn, the Monte Rosa is just breathaking!! The descent down to Zermatt valley is fantastic and will make your disc brake burn for sure!! For sure, riding here , in Switzerland is truly an experience you won't forget before long...

Ride distance: 40km Uneven positive: 500m Uneven negative: 1800m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5

Total ride distance: 120km !!!

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

Day 5 (Saturday) : transfert to Geneva airport. Make sure you book an afternoon or a late/ evening flight due to the time of transfert to Geneva airport.


NB: this tour is run with a minimum of 4 clients. The group is limited to 8 people maxima in order to ensure the safety, the cohesion and the user-friendliness of the team.
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: 1050 €
Dates 2020
From July 8th to 11th From July 15th to 18th From July 22nd to 25th From July 29th to August 1st From August 5st to 8th From August 12th to 15th From August 19th to 22th From August 26th to 29th From September 2nd to 5th
Level
MORE INFOS


Physical
difficulty
  • You ride 2-3 times a week for 1h30 non stop minimum (road or mtb).
  • You can ride at aerobic pace with short anaerobic sections without excessive fatigue.
  • You are able to cycle 4-5 hours per day.
  • You are able to climb 800 meters vertical ascent ( 2400 feet) a day for 3-5 days and can push or carry your bike uphill or downhill on short sections( few meters).
  • You like to challenge yourself


    • Technical
    difficulty
  • You can manage your balance uphill and downhill on loose gravels, rocks and roots.
  • You feel confident in riding singletrack with few roots and rocks, on dry or wet terrain.
  • You can ride short rock garden of 30 meters.
  • You feel confident riding downhill for about 20 minutes non stop.
  • You able able to go up and down a step of about 20 centimeters.
  • You can handle switchbacks.
  • You can ride with a little exposure at times and would like to improve your skills.
    		•
    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 in the local sports stores (list on request).
    		•
    Distance : 260 km - Ascent : 6000 m - Descent : 10400 m
    Duration5 days: arrival on saturday , departure on saturday
    4 nights accomodation
    3 days riding
    Tuesday 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
    You'll be accomodated in hotels every night.
    They all have hot showers end a safe place to store the bikes.
    Rooms are shared from two to four persons. They are of good comfort, and make it real possible to rest after a good day of mountain biking!
    Possibility of single room: 490 euros in supplement(rates from the 12/2018)
    Possibility of washing and repairing the bicycles at the hotels.