The Alps to Provence - self guided mountian biking.

Ride from the snow capped peaks of the Alps to the lavender fields of Provence!

A stunning self guided mountain biking trip taking you from the snowy peaks of the Ecrins mountains in the Southern French Alps to the lavender fields of Provence!

A spectacular mountain bike ride with varied scenery and a range of routes for all levels from beginners to experienced bikers.


The route starts off in the Champoleon valley with the dramatic mountains of the Ecrins massif as a back drop. The golden eagles, marmots, chamois and ibex will be watching you with curiosity as you descend the mountains and traverse the Champsaur and Gapencais valleys.

All your hard work will be rewarded when you arrive in Provence and ride through the beautifully scented lavender fields! The final destination is the site of the Meouge gorge - a beautiful and dramatic conservation area in the heart of Provence.

With a choice of technical single track, dramatic mountain ridges with panoramic views, easy forest trails traversing beautiful woods and meadows, river and lakeside paths, tracks and canal paths ..... this route can be adapted for families through to serious single track mountain bikers.

When you make your reservation, we will ask you about your level and put together a suitable route. You can expect to be doing between 18 and 48 km with between 500m to 2000m of up and down per day. For children the minimum age recommended is 10 and they must be capable of riding for 2 - 3 hours per day.

TRANSPORT and BAGGAGE:

We will transfer your baggage each day so you only need to carry a day pack.

For getting to the start and back from the end of the ride, there are various possibilities. You can drive, leave your car at the Auberge and get a transfer back at the end of the ride. Or you can get the train to Gap, a transfer to the Auberge and then get the train back from Sisteron at the end of your ride either back to Gap or on to Marseille.

The closest train station to the start of the ride is Gap train station which has rail links from Paris, Marseille or Grenoble and the closest train station to the end of the ride is Sisteron which has rail links back to Gap or on to Marseille.

We can help you plan your journey here and have all the local train times and information available so please ask.

0845 009 8501

Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 - Arrival

If you have chosen to use us for your transfers to bring you to the start, we'll come and collect you at the station or airport and take you to your first night's accommodation.

Laurent, our local mountain bike expert, will meet you and go through the route in more detail and answer any questions.

DAY 2 - Champoleon to Ancelle

The Champoleon valley is situated just on the edge of the Ecrins National park with a dramatic backdrop of mountains and glaciers.

The area is rich in wildlife, with chamois and ibex frequenting the steep cliffs and mountain sides and marmots scurrying all around. There is even a pair of golden eagles in the valley.

For committed mountain bikers on the technical itinerary there is a beautiful single track route traversing the mountainside with panoramic views of the valley. There is a physically demanding technical ascent up to the Tante Yvonne cabin and then a beautiful long descent down to your accommodation for the night in Ancelle.

For a more easy going day, it is the same start but instead of going up to tante Yvonne, there is a pretty canal path traversing the valley. At the end of the canal path there is a track taking you up over the col and down into the village of Ancelle.

Ancelle is a very pretty alpine village situated on a plateau surrounded by mountains. There is a bar in the village and choice of restaurants if you don't want to eat in your bed and breakfast.

Technical Summary: Between 19 - 40km and 500m - 1559m of ascent and 500m - 1507m of descent.


DAY 3 - Ancelle to Haut Correo

This is a fabulous leg taking you from the Champsaur valley with it's spectacular high mountain backdrop and pretty alpine villages, like Ancelle to the Gapencais valley in the low Alps with wild, tree covered mountains, meadows and a view of the sunniest city in France, Gap.

For technical riders, this is a challenging ascent up to the col de Moissiere where you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the Durance valley. After that there is a fantastic traverse to the col de Manse with panoramic views all the way along on a mixture of single track and canal paths to Rabou.

For really sporty mountain bikers, there is a fantastic variant up to the col de Gleize with a great single track descent into Rabou.

The easy route starts with a quiet road and then a path to get to the col de Manse where, if you were in a mixed group, you could meet up with the sporty riders and ride together with panoramic views and plenty of photo and picnic opportunities to share along the way. The route then descends to Rabou.

Technical Summary:

Distance: Between 25 km and 31 km
Ascent: Between 600 m and 950 m
Descent: Between 750 m and 1114 m



DAY 4 - Haut Correo to Veynes

A beautiful route through the pre-Alps, cols, forest, fields and mountains.....

For the hard core mountain bikers this is a long leg with several passages over cols including a magnificent single track descent into Montmaur - well deserved after a physical test that is the ascent!! Stay the night at Glaize a little village near to Veynes.

The easy version is mainly on small roads and paths traversing the same countryside but omitting the big ascents and descents! The last climb up to your accommodation is a challenge at the end of your day but allows you to ride through beautiful countryside in peace and quiet!

Technical Summary


Distance: Between 26 km and 40 km
Ascent: Between 450 m and 2000 m
Descent: Between 450 m and 2000 m


Day 5 - Veynes to Serres

A wonderful route following the river Buech as it winds down the valley. Lavender, apricots and peaches.... yummmy

For experienced mountain bikers riding the technical route, this is a relative rest day starting with a fun descent down past Veynes. Afterwards you continue up to the col de la Croix near Savournon where you will be staying for the night.

For the easy mountain bikers, your day starts on a quiet tarmac road and takes you though pretty villages of Aspres St Buech, Aspremont, Sigottier and Serres. Towards the end of your day you end up at a swimming lake where a welcome swim and sunbathe might be in order, before you head up to your accommodation.

Technical Summary

Distance: 25 km - 37 km
Ascent: 700 m
Descent: 700 m


Day 6 - Serres to Laragne

Now in the heart of the Alpes Provence you will be riding through orchards, lavender fields and all those lovely 'provencal' scenes you dream about!

For the 'sportif' mountain bikers you start with a climb over the Montagne de St Genis ridge which is the last real barrier before you descend towards the Sisteron valley. Afterthat there is another climb along a pretty path up to the Riou swimming lake where you can stop for a well deserved swim and sunbathe before continuing on to Laragne.

For the easy option, you conto the Montagne de St Genis for a more direct route towards the swimming lake where you have the choice of swimming in the lake or stopping off for a wilder, refreshing bath in the Riou gorges. Save a bit of energy for your last climb to Vieil-Eyguians and the château d'Arzeliers !

Technical Summary

Distance: 18 km - 30 km
Ascent: 800 m - 1300 m
Descent: 800 m - 1300 m



DAY 7: Laragne to Sisteron

The last leg of your Alps to Provence mountain bike trip!

This is a great finale to your trip with a varied route taking in dramatic mountain gorges, peach and apricot orchards and a spectacular finish at the citadel of Sisteron.

The hard core mountain biker route takes you on a circuit around the Mountain of St Cyr overlooking the beautiful Méouge Gorges with very tempting rock pools waiting to be jumped into! The end of the route takes you through the orchards of Sisteron where the sweet scent of peaches and apricots are a welcome distraction! On your arrival you will be rewarded with the dramatic view of the Sisteron citadel - the challenge - will you be able to walk all the way to the top!!?

For families and easy riders your route is almost the same without the mountain of St Cyr ascent but still with a quick visit to the beautiful Méouge Gorges - dramatic canyons carved into the limestone with welcoming rock pools for a quick refresh! Finish your adventure riding through the peach and apricot orchards bringing you to the dramatic Sisteron citadel where the last remaining challenge is to see if you legs will carry you to the top!

Technical Summary

Distance: 32 km - 43 km
Ascent: 500 m - 900 m
Descent: 500 m - 900 m


Day 8 Return home

This is the last day where you will take your suntanned mountain biking legs and revived spirits back home with you along with a head full of memories to store in your memory bank!

You can either take the train straight back from Sisteron, or, if you have arranged a transfer with us back to Gap or the Auberge at the beginning of your trip, we'll come and pick you up.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

You will start off in a great Auberge in the Ecrins where Laurent and Stephanie will make you very welcome and also go through your mountain biking route with you in detail.

After that we will book your accommodation in a variety of bed and breakfasts and hotels depending on the exact route of your journey. We have visited and checked all the accommodation we use to make sure it is up to standard and that you will be well looked after.

Accommodation is all based on a bed and breakfast basis with 2 people sharing a room. We will let you know what evening eating arrangements there are in the villages or hamlets you will visit. Sometimes there are a choice of restaurants and sometimes you can eat at the bed and breakfast. We can book meals on your behalf accordingly.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Any time between May and October

Prices are per person and subject to a minimum of two people booking together:


PRICES based on number of people in group booking together:
2 - 3 people: €549 per person
4 - 5 people: €520 per person
6 or more people: €499 per person


EXTRAS:
Transfers:

Prices are per transfer for between 2 and 8 people.

Journey
Gap to Champoleon: €70
Sisteron to Champoleon: €150


Mountain Bike Hire Full suspension for the tour - 150€ per bike.

GPS Hire - 85€

If you would like to do this route with a guide, please contact us for a price.

0845 009 8501