Magic trails between Queyras and Val Pellice
5 days from 865 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
Comfort 
FRXB512 
Maximum altitude 3025 m
Stamina level : 3 
Direct train from Paris Pros
- A confortable accommodation in a middle-range hotel
- One night in a cosy chalet refuge with Italian cuisine
- Easy access: Briançon station, then transfer to our minibus.
- The most beautiful, technical and wild routes in Queyras and Val Pellice
- Azimut meetings and a great atmosphere that will keep you smiling throughout your stay!
In a nutshell
The Queyras, this fabulous valley bordered by peaks at over 3000m, its magical mountain pastures, its crazy singletracks where even your bike could cry with joy because it feels so good! And just behind these famous peaks lies the Val Pellice, one of our 'secret spots' where we love to put our wheels down, because it's so good, so wild, where mountain riding really comes into its own!
Yes, you've guessed it, on this trip we'll be riding the most beautiful technical trails in Queyras, pure mountain biking on the Franco-Italian border! From the peaks to the valleys, plunging into the mélézins, we'll take you on an anthology of trails, served up on a carpet of alpine pastures, with a "Made in Azimut" atmosphere to accompany it, so that you can have a good, good time on your E-bike: 5 days of pure riding, where the descents will rival the beauty of the landscapes of pure madness!
Oh yes, a word of advice: take a 2nd pair of brake pads and we'll take care of everything! Andiamo!
Day to day
Day 1: Warm up and first Queyrassin delicacies
Welcome at the train station in Briançon, or directly at our place in Cervières. You'll be in your best mountain bike gear for the meeting!
Then it's off over the Col d'Izoard to Arvieux, the first village at the foot of the pass, but also at the foot of some beautiful singles. After a leisurely warm-up on a track, we'll stretch our amorto along a canal to gently build up the fun! Then on to the menu: a first pass, a first ridge to make a rooster pale, then a second pass, a well-deserved break in a refuge to regain your strength, because the final descent is a pure marvel! Scout's honour!
Then it's off to our cosy accommodation, where we'll be spending the next three nights!
Elevation gain: +/-1900m
Distance: 42km
Meals included today: dinner
Accommodation included this day: hotel
Day 2: Caramantran magic ride
Yes, this day will be unforguettable, or it won't be! When you dream of mountains, summits and great passes, today will be THE day! We set off leisurely along a track to the first pass, then down to the Agnel valley to warm up the pads! We climb back up to the Col Agnel before tackling the second pass of the day at an altitude of almost 2900m (you'll be short of breath, but your retinas will be delighted!). From there, it's just a short climb to the Grail: the Pic de Caramantran at 3025m facing Monte Viso, and all the magic that surrounds the high mountains! After that, as you'd expect, we're in for a crazy descent, the kind we've all been dreaming of! A series of singletracks from the summit to St Véran. On the way, don't forget to stop at the Refuge de la Blanche for a taste of blueberry tart - it's a real treat for mountain bikers!
Elevation gain: +/- 1600m
Distance: 33km
Meals included today: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included this day: hotel
Day 3: Blueberry trail
Today is the heart of the Queyras chicken! We'll take you to the ridges that open up onto an unusual landscape! After a climb on a track (you need to digest your hearty breakfast), we're already on to the first singles! The balconies leading up to the Col Fromage are fabulous and give you a levitating ride! From there, the "Myrtilles trail" will unfold under our crampons. You'll see: the "red bay" gives you wings! A magical trail, pure happiness! We switch to Ceillac for a well-deserved break via a "nugget" descent. Back to the van via the Col des Estronques: a sometimes steep climb but a descent that's worth its weight in peanuts!
Elevation gain: +/- 1900m
Distance: 39km
Meals included today: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included this day: hotel
Day 4: Andiamo in Italia!
Yes, tonight we'll be sleeping in the Val Pellice, in a cosy mountain hut at 1700m altitude! But before that, we've got some great trails on the programme! From Abriès we'll head up into the mountain pastures for a first descent, then climb to the Col Lacroix to cross the border and make the technical descent to the refuge. You have two choices: take a siesta on the terrace to unwind after the last few days, or go and discover some lovely high altitude lakes! Don't worry, you'll be back for the aperitif!
Elevation gain: +1350m / - 1150m
Distance: 18km
Meals included this day: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included this day: Chalet-refuge
Day 5: Aerial trails day
One of the best experiences: leaving the refuge on our e-bikes! Last effort of the week: climbing a pass at over 2500m, with some pushing! But you'll see: the descent behind is well worth it, where you'll cross all the alpine levels from the rocks of the border ridges to the singles in the larch forests, via pure alpine singles! This is pure riding at its best, with the possibility, depending on the group's motivation, of ascending slightly to a wild and unusual ridge, followed by a technical descent to match! More than 1000m of D- to finish off this week of great riding!
Return to Briançonnais then transfers to Briançon stations.
Elevation gain: +1500 / -1000m
Distance: 15km
Meals included today: breakfast
This is an example of an E-bike Enduro programme in Queyras - Val Pellice. Weather and terrain conditions, as well as the level of the participants, may lead the guide to modify it or to do certain itineraries in a different order. We ask you to respect his choices. We may also have to change accommodation within the same range for logistical or availability reasons.
Meeting and leaving
Meeting points
-
Briançon in front of the Train Station
Meeting time: 7:45 am
Leaving time: in the afternoon, at the same meeting place
Meeting & scattering - practical info
- You must be in cycling gear for the meeting on D1.
We will do our best, but we cannot guarantee the time of arrival at the station (traffic jam, unforeseen circumstances, snow conditions). We advise you to buy changeable train tickets. If you are bringing your own car, please meet us at the station or at one of the meeting points, where you will leave it during your stay.
- Access
Train and TGV: www.voyages-sncf.com
For trains, check with the ticket office that the train in question is suitable for mountain bikes.
Car: www.mappy.fr
Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr
- Car parking
Free, unsupervised public car park in Briançon.
Technical and physical level
Technical level ***
For riders who are already good downhillers and confident in their technique. You'll be able to take hairpin bends, ride an overhanging trail without fear, control your braking, pass over small obstacles (such as roots, rocks, steps). The descents are long and sustained (but progressive over the week), sometimes steep, often technical, sometimes exposed but rarely dangerous. You'll emerge as an experienced rider, or even a crack rider!
Physical level **
For mountain bikers who already ride regularly, or who are regular sportsmen and women. We'll be riding on 4x4 tracks and progressive trails, with occasional steep sections. Expect to climb between 600m and 1400m per day, which is very affordable on an electric mountain bike.
Please note: If you don't have the required level, the guide might ask you to leave the group for your own safety, that of the group or the well-being of the group as a whole. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have any doubts!
Group
5 to 8 people
Open to mountain bikes and E-bikes.
Supervision
State-certified mountain bike instructor, selected by Azimut.
We work with a great team of qualified guides. We choose them mainly for their friendliness, their teaching skills and their organisational skills. We listen to them, work with them and make sure that their working conditions and pay are the best they can be.
Find out more about our guides and instructors here
Carrying
A light rucksack (stipulated in the equipment section) just for the day's gear, sometimes a picnic, a few snacks and repair equipment. The bulk of your personal belongings will be transferred by us to your accommodation.
Shuttle bus drop-offs & assistance / ski lifts
No ski lifts on this trip
Price
The price includes
- Organisation
- Transfers to and from your arrival point.
- Half-board accommodation in the hotel and refuge
- Supervision by an Azimut 5-day mountain bike instructor and all expenses (accommodation, meals, travel, lifts)
- Quality cereal bars
- AZIMUT welcome pack
The price does not include
- A&R transport to one of the meeting points
- Any equipment hire
- Lunch to give the group a choice
- Your personal insurance
- Extras in accommodation, personal expenses, anything that is not covered under "the price includes".
Payment
30% deposit on enrolment + insurance if taken out, balance due 30 days before departure. A reminder e-mail will be sent to you 35 days before departure.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you are adequately insured in the event of cancellation. It is compulsory to be insured for search and repatriation costs. When you register, we offer you the opportunity to take out insurance through our partner insurer, with several options covering the activities on offer and the risks incurred (please note that this insurance is only valid for European nationals).
Pourboire guide VTT
Rien d'obligatoire, mais il est de coutume que les membres du groupe fassent une enveloppe pourboire pour le moniteur en fin de voyage
Tips for mountain bike guides
Nothing compulsory, but it is customary for members of the group to leave a tip envelope for the instructor at the end of the trip.
Travel during the trip
Azimut minibus to transport your bike from one of the meeting points and throughout the trip. As well as making it easier to get there and get on with the trip, travelling together in a minibus is a convivial way to chat, sleep and listen to music!
Accommodation and meals
Depending on the composition of the group, you may be with someone of the opposite sex
3 nights in a hotel on a half-board basis, bed linen and towels provided
1 night in a refuge on a half-board basis, bring a cocoon-type sheet, change and towels.
* Photos of accommodation non-contractual
- Breakfasts and dinners are taken in the hotel and refuge.
- Lunch is not included so that, depending on the weather or your preferences, you can have a picnic in a bakery or take a break in a small local restaurant.
- Snacks: Details are important, especially during the effort. We've chosen to supply tasty, high-quality cereal bars.
Accommodation before and after your stay
As soon as you register, we'll send you the contact details of accommodation providers where you can spend the night before and after your trip. This accommodation is close to the meeting points and you will often benefit from a preferential rate. Depending on your itinerary, it may be easier to join the guide at our logistics base in Cervières so that you can use our minibus to get to the starting point of the trip. On request, we can book you an overnight stay before or after your trip at the Lodge Le Petit Cerf, which is our basecamp located exactly at the same place as our agency.
Telephone & WIFI
In the event of an emergency or delay, you can contact our guide, whose number will be given to you before departure, or Azimut on +33 4 92 23 07 24.
Pass on these contacts to your family and friends before you leave.
Free WIFI in most accommodation
Random mobile phone and 4G coverage
Equipment
Don't forget to bring brightly coloured clothes, it's funnier in the photos!
Technical equipment & safety
- Enduro type e-bike, with platform pedals or your own automatic pedals (which can be fitted to your hire bike).
- If you're bringing your own bike, remember to charge it, bring your own charger and check the condition of your brake pads, chain, cassette and derailleur. Also check the condition of your tyres and make sure your spokes are tight and your wheel is not warped. In short, your E-bike needs to run like clockwork!
For this type of trip, we recommend :
- A full-suspension ebike with a suspension travel of at least 140mm.
- An ebike with a 500W battery.
- Rucksack: capacity 20-25 litres max.
- Helmet and goggles compulsory
- Mountain bike gloves (a spare pair of warm gloves, just in case...)
- Knee and elbow protectors strongly recommended
- Low flat-soled hiking shoes or shoes for automatic pedals
- A repair kit, including a pair of brake pads (adapted to the correct brake model), an extra derailleur hanger, a quick link adapted to your chain, pumps, self-adhesive patches, inner tubes of the correct size... and anything else specific to your own bike.
Don't have the equipment you need for this trip? Don't worry, go light: we'll hire the equipment for you and deliver it to you at the start of the trip! This equipment is recent, of good quality and adapted to your mountain biking.
Hire prices for this trip (advantageous price taking into account only the number of days of use on this trip):
Pack E-bike Enduro full suspension + helmet + repair kit - 5 days
225 €
Important: The bikes are checked each time you return from your trip. Any damage will be charged to you.
These prices and the brand and range of mountain bikes may change according to the availability of the equipment and the level of the trip.
Clothing
This equipment list contains a series of recommendations but does not oblige you to have the latest equipment. If you want to re-equip yourself or add to your equipment, take advantage of our advice to get the right gear that's light, warm and comfortable. Good equipment makes for a successful holiday!
For your head
- Sunglasses and clear glasses for undergrowth or overcast days (it's important to protect your eyes). Photochromic lenses adapt to light conditions and vary from index 1 to 3 or 2 to 4 to optimise visibility between light and shade. Very practical.
- A thin cap or buff to wear under your helmet in cold weather.
For the body
- Technical underwear: long-sleeved top and tights for added warmth under trousers. Tip: Merino wool has the advantage of being highly breathable and antibacterial, so it retains odours less than synthetic materials. Think about it if you need to re-equip yourself.
- Lightweight fleece jacket / Synthetic down jacket with hood to slip under the Gore Tex for extra warmth during breaks / Jacket with waterproof, breathable membrane such as Gore Tex or Soft Shell, lightweight and compressible to take up less space in your rucksack.
- Mountain bike shorts
- Tights to wear under shorts in cool weather.
- Light gloves (fleece or Soft Shell) / Warm gloves with a Gore Tex waterproof and breathable membrane / Silk under-gloves.
- Swimming costume: it takes up so little space in your luggage that it would be a shame not to have it if you need it! Avoid shorts, as they are not widely accepted in swimming pools and baths.
- Recommended: a spare T-shirt in the bag (useful after a heavy sweat on the climb).
For your feet
- Cycling socks. Merinos wool has the advantage of being highly breathable and antibacterial, so it retains odours less than synthetic materials. Think about it if you need to re-equip yourself.
- Slippers or Crocs recommended for the evening.
Toiletry bag & first-aid kit
- Toiletry kit with personal essentials
- We advise you to use the Iffremont website to put together your first-aid kit.
Luggage & miscellaneous
- 1L water bottle, thermos flask or Camelback, pocket knife, duck tape (stoch resistant), sun cream factor 50.
- 90-litre duffle bag, to be left at the hostel. Avoid rigid suitcases.
Our partner brands
Our guides are equipped with these brands and you will be able to see and test the equipment on our trips
We are members of APST.
Final recommendations before departure
Don't forget
- Leave our contact details with your friends and family
- Take your identity papers (up-to-date passport and visa for trips requiring them)
- Take your policy number and the details of your insurer if you have not taken out insurance with Azimut.
- Take your Vitale card and we also recommend the European Health Insurance Card - free of charge and on request: www.ameli.fr
- Check that you have the required equipment
- Take batteries / chargers for your camera / avalanche transceiver
- Take cash or your credit card
- Leave cool and relaxed, you'll be fine! And even if you don't make it to the top, you'll still have a great time!
- Before you leave, water the plants, take out the bins, turn off the water and gas, and tell your partner (other than by text message) that you're off to have a good time ... because you really need it! Anything you forget in this last recommendation will come back with a vengeance when you return.
We'll be waiting for you! Happy racing with AZIMUT!