6 days from 925 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 4 people
- A trip through 3 of some of the best places in Europe for mountain biking (Queyras, Ubaye and Val Maira)
- An Azimut-style trip: expect heaps of single trails
- An itinerary to reach the isolated Val Maira, using the least transportation as possible, and our bikes as most as possible
- Italian style accomodation: comfortable, welcoming and nourishing food (as well as excellent quality)
- Ride light, we take care of the rest (luggage transfer)
- Max 7 participants per group, to benefit of personal advise
You have a sudden urge to do some real mountain biking and eat well ? To ride unforgettable downhill single trails, to visit villages with a genuine charm and a well preserved nature ? You love to be welcomed every evening like a king ? Well, come along, this is exactly what you can expect on this trip - half way between France and Italy, partly in the Queyras, partly in the Val Maira. From the highest inhabited vilage in Europe, situated in the Queyras, to St-Ours in the Ubaye mountains, via the untouched Val Maira valley, just every moment is a delight. Ending a great day of pure mountain biking switching from easy riding tracks, to a litte bit of bike pushing and never-ending downhills, in a gîte with a welcome, a comfort and meals with a quality that easily matches those of the single trails we ride, makes this trip unique.
Day 1 - Start of the trip in Maljasset
For the first day of this Queyras - Val Maira trip, we meet up either at Briançon train station or at Oulx-Cesana TGV station, then set off with our minibus. You should be wearing your cycling gear upon arrival. After a short transfer to St Veran, we reach the lac Blanc and mountain hut on an easy riding track. The following part will be a litte less easy as we will not be able to avoind carrying our bikes. From the Col de la Noire we have a nice long descent to Maljasset where we spend the night.
Ascent/descent: + 1200 m/- 1300 m
Meals included: picnic and dinner
Accomodation included: gîte - dormitory
Logistics: minibus with driver for luggage transportation
Day 2 - Val Maira here we come
From this well preserved mountain village, we set off for the Col de l'Autaret via a relatively rocky valley that may necessitate carrying our bikes once or twice. A first nice descent through scree takes us to the foot of the Col de Bellino, that we'll reach riding and pushing our bikes. For the most motivated ones, it's possible to go up the Monte Bellino for an outstanding panorama as well as an outstanding descent, that you'll want to go up again. One of the most beautiful descents of the Val Maira, and even of the Southern Alps, starts from the Col ! After this extremely playfull single trail down to the Turres alpine pastures, we have the choice to either go directly to Chiaperra, or to push our bikes one last time for another playfull descent with numerous hairpins. After a few more beautiful miles, we arrive in Ponte Maira where we spend the night in a fantastic gîte Italian-style !
Ascent/descent: + 1300 m/- 1900 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accomodation included: gîte
Logistics: minibus with driver for luggage transportation
Day 3 - Across the Val Maira on our bikes
Completely different to the previous day, we follow trails that liaise between various genuine villages such as an San Michele, Elva, Stroppo... From one valley to another, we ride on tracks, trails through forests switching between single trails and beautiful descents with one of more than 1000 m descent - a true delight. We spend the night in Stroppo, a genuine village of the Val Maira.
Ascent/descent: + 1800 m/- 2200 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accomodation included: gîte - rooms for 3/4 people
Logistics: minibus with driver for luggage transportation
Day 4 - Single trails galore !
From Stroppo two options: either we alternatve between pushing/riding our bikes for a good hour, or we take the longer but easier option. In either case, the uphill gives access to a legendary descent to Marmora. From there a beautiful track takes us to the Colle Margherina, at the foot of the magnificent Rocca Meja ! A huge single trail and a military track lead to the mountain hut where we spend the night.
Ascent/descent: + 2300 m/- 1000 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accomodation included: mountain hut - dormitory
Logistics: minibus with driver for luggage transportation
Day 5 - Arrival in wild Ubaye
The day start just as we finished of the previous one, up the military track, over mountain passes and big downhill single trails. No need to tell you more about it, with such a description, it can only be a great day ! To return to France, and especially the Ubaye, we climb up to the Col de Sautron to reach a beautiful single trail that leads to our gîte in St-Ours.
Ascent/descent: + 1800 m/- 2300 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accomodation included: gîte
Logistics: minibus with driver for luggage transportation
Day 6 - Full speed
For the last day of this Queyras - Val maira trip, we've kept a round trip that leaves directly from the gîte, and that is well known as well for the quality of its trails up and downhill-wise, as for the scenery it offers.
Ascent/descent: + 1400 m/- 1400 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Logistics: minibus with driver for luggage transportation
Please note this is an example of a mountain biking trip on the trails of the Queyras, Val Maira and Ubaye mountain ranges. The guide may adjust certain itineraries according to weather conditions or participants' abilities. We kindly ask you to respect such decision.
In case practices and customs defined by the local authorities change, estimating the reasonable number of clients per guide, for safety reasons, Azimut respects these, even last minute, decisions and recommendations. Such cases are rare and mostly related to exceptional conditions in the mountains. Therefore some compensation may be requested from your side due to less participants per guide.
Please wear your cycling clothes on day 1.
We always do our best, but can't guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Therefore we strongly recommend you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified. If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at one of the indicated meeting points, or at one of the drop off points where you'll be able to leave your car for the entire trip.
Access
Make sure the train you plan to catch welcomes mountain bikes.
Car park
Public parking free of charge can be found in Briançon and Oulx (both unattended).
You should be at ease with long and demanding descents. You're able to deal with hairpin bends and tackle back-breaking inclines, master your brakes, hop over small tricky sections (tree roots, rocks, steps). Descents are often long and sustained (but progressive as the week goes on), sometimes steep, often technically demanding, sometimes exposed sections but rarely dangerous. You'll end being an expert rider or maybe even an ace in mountain biking skills !
For keen and passionate mountain bikers or sporty people, who enjoy making efforts and regularly do an outdoor activity. You are sporty, are used to go out riding for a full day at least once a week and a maybe a few shorter outings in a week, at least a few weeks before you head off for a trip with us. Our rides will take you on quite long climbs where you may sometimes even have to push or carry your bike. Expect ascents between + 800 m & + 1400 m approx per day.
Good to know: if you don't have the skills and stamina required, the guide may ask you to leave the group for the well-being of the rest of the group. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us !
5 to 7 participants
Azimut qualified mountain bike instructor & guide.
All our mountain bike guides are certified instructors. We choose them for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.
Bring a small day pack large enough (for more detailed advice see gear section) to carry your personal belongings for the day such as (extra) layers, a few snacks, your picnic and a repair kit. All other personal gear not needed for the day will be transferred to our accommodation.
None on this trip.
The price includes:
The price does not include:
A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance that is due latest 30 days prior to departure.
We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.
Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances with our partner, on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur (beware, such insurance only covers European citizens).
Tipping is no obligation. However participants usually hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.
Azimut's minibuses are used throughout the trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and less binding: we can chat, take a nap and listen to our own music. If luggage transfers are necessary, you have the possibility to use the transfer if you're tired and for any other reason.
During the trip
Half board in cosy gîte-hotel, twin rooms. Depending on the size of group, you might be sharing a room with someone of the opposite sex. Bed linen, towels are provided.
Accomodation before & after bike trips
Once we've received your booking, we'll provide you with a list of accomodation in case you need to book accomodation before or after the trip. All accomodation on the list is close to the meeting points and you may often benefit from preferential rates.
In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.
Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.
Free Wifi is available in most places.
Mobile & 4G coverage can be unreliable.
Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and give photos a funky edge !
Technical gear
If you don't have the adequate gear for this trip, don’t worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.
Prices of rental gear during the entire trip (competitive prices as we only charge you for the number of days of use on the trip):
Enduro Bike pack including repair kit and helmet - 6 days |
360 € |
Important: all our bikes are thoroughly checked before each trip. You are liable for any damage to the bike.
Prices and bike brands may vary according to availabilities and trip levels.
Clothes
This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes that it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start. Prefer lightweight warm and comfortable clothing. This is not just a detail, it makes a hell of a difference !
Headwear
Bodywear
Footwear
Odds & ends
Toiletries and first aid kit
Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:
We are members of Entreprises du Voyage and APST.
Don't forget to