Included: An experienced local guide team, accompanying you by bike and support van 8-day mountain bike tour in the French Alps (6 days of riding) Accommodation for 7 nights: 2 nights at a guesthouse in Orcières (start and finish) 5 nights in local hotels, auberges, gîtes, and mountain huts All meals: breakfast and dinner at the accommodations, lunch on the trail (except one dinner in the Briançon area) GPS tracks for all six riding stages Train ticket for you and your bike from Mont-Dauphin to Chorges Luggage transport between accommodations Food supplies and technical support during the rides On-site support from your guide team throughout the trip Add-ons: E-bike rental — possible to rent, leave a note at checkout if interested Not included: Transport to and from Orcières One dinner in the Briançon area Personal expenses and drinks with meals, as well as soft drinks at supply points Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

This is a tour for experienced riders looking for a challenge, not a scenic pedal through the Alps. Over six consecutive riding days , stages range from 47 km (29 mi) to 68 km (42 mi) , with elevation gain between 1,450 m (4,757 ft) and 2,500 m (8,202 ft) per day, and there are no rest days built in between. You should already be a confident mountain biker with solid fitness and good bike-handling skills . Expect narrow singletrack, loose or rocky descents, and technical sections that demand focus even late in the day, when fatigue sets in. This isn’t a trip to build those skills on the go — riders should arrive already comfortable riding long days in the mountains. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more bike trips in the European Alps here !

What do I need to bring?

Riding gear Helmet, glasses, and gloves Arm warmers and leg warmers — optional Rain jacket or windstopper Knee and elbow protection — recommended Trail repair kit Multitool, including a chain tool 2 inner tubes and 2 powerlinks Small pump, patch kit, and tubeless plug Lubricant and duct tape (about 1 m — handy wrapped around your pump) Spare brake pads, derailleur hanger, derailleur cable, and a few spokes Zip ties and toilet paper Charger or spare battery for electronic shifting, if applicable Food and essentials A few energy bars, plus your own energy drink if you have a preference Mobile phone and GPS with spare batteries First-aid kit, including an emergency blanket — mandatory ID card, bank card, and some cash European Health Insurance Card, where applicable In your regular luggage Cycling shorts, short- and long-sleeved jerseys (or arm warmers), cycling socks, and a base layer Casual evening clothes: trousers or shorts, t-shirt, underwear, socks, a sweater, and a light or waterproof jacket Comfortable shoes or sandals, and swimwear Toiletries, including SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm with sun protection, and chamois cream Extras worth packing Charger and spare battery for e-bike riders Phone and GPS chargers (a USB one for the GPS) Dry cloths for wiping down the bike after wet days — buckets and sponges are provided Earplugs, and old newspapers to dry out wet shoes overnight

Can I rent an e-bike?

Yes. If you’d rather skip some of the climbing, your guides can arrange an e-bike rental for you. Reach out for availability and pricing.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Écrins mountain bike tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1 . It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants . Écrins mountain biking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of this Écrins mountain bike tour is Orcières, France (05170) , in the Hautes-Alpes. Three airports serve the area well, and transfers can be arranged with your guide team from any of them: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) — around 215 km (134 mi) away, roughly 2 hours 20 minutes by car . A direct train also runs from the airport to Gap, followed by a short local transfer. Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) — around 213 km (132 mi) away, roughly 2 hours 45 minutes by car . Geneva Airport (GVA) — around 250 km (155 mi) away, roughly 3 hours 10 minutes by car , making it the furthest of the three but still a straightforward drive through the Alps. Renting a car is the most flexible way to reach Orcières, since public transport connections to this part of the Hautes-Alpes are limited. If you’d rather not drive, let your guide team know your arrival airport and time, and they’ll arrange a transfer for you. Once in Orcières, you’ll meet the rest of the group at the guesthouse, where your car can stay parked for the full week—since every stage of the loop starts and finishes right there.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Check out Early bird options for best sellers here

ÉCRINS MASSIF | FRANCE

Grand Tour des Écrins: 8-Day Mountain Biking Loop

8 days | Challenging | 5.00

From $4,330 ()

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Since biking inside Écrins National Park isn’t allowed, we flirt with its borders instead. Six days looping the park’s edge take us through seven Alpine valleys, on trails that mix technical singletrack with legendary climbs. Starting and finishing in Orcières, the route crosses the Valgaudemar, Oisans, and Champsaur, taking in balcony trails, high passes, and views of La Meije’s glacier along the way. It’s a physical week with long days in the saddle, but the payoff is some of the wildest scenery the French Alps have to offer. Come ready to climb, and to be rewarded for it at every turn!

Harre

Adventure Highlights

A full loop around a national park: Since riding inside Écrins National Park is off limits, this route hugs its borders across seven valleys instead
Technical trails with serious history: From the Roman-era Chemin du Roy to a stretch of the legendary Alpe d'Huez climb
All all-inclusive adventure: Guiding, GPS tracks, luggage transport, and nearly every meal are covered—the food is great, so the only real decision each morning is how hard to push

Duration

8 days

Season

Summer & Fall

Group size

Up to 8 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

This 8-day trip covers a six-day mountain bike loop around Écrins National Park, starting and finishing in Orcières. Since riding inside the park's borders isn't allowed, the route flirts with its edges instead, crossing seven Alpine valleys on a mix of technical trails, balcony paths, and high mountain passes. Two nights are spent at a guesthouse in Orcières, with five more in local hotels, auberges, gîtes, and mountain huts along the way. Guiding, GPS tracks, luggage transport, and almost all meals are included, leaving little to plan beyond getting yourself and your bike to the start.

Day 1: Arrival in Orcières

The trip starts in Orcières, a small Alpine village on the edge of Écrins National Park, where we settle into our guesthouse for the night. This is also where our cars stay parked for the week, since every stage begins and ends right here. There’s no riding today, just time to meet the rest of the group, get bikes and gear checked over, and settle into the rhythm of the days ahead. Transfers can be arranged from Marseille, Lyon, or Geneva airport for anyone flying in.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Orcières

Day 2: Riding along the Drac to the Valgaudemar Valley

We set off from Orcières on a mix of wide tracks and playful singletrack, following the Drac River across a series of wooden pontoons before a short stretch of gravel carries us to St-Bonnet and on to St-Jacques-en-Valgaudemar. From there, we continue toward St-Firmin, the gateway to the Valgaudemar Valley, where a scenic balcony trail opens up with sweeping views over Lac du Sautet. It’s a strong opener: varied terrain, a proper river crossing, and one of the best panoramas of the day saved for the final stretch.

Distance: 68 km (42 mi)
Elevation gain: +1,450 m (+4,757 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Local hotel or auberge in Corps

Day 3: Passes, pastures, and the descent into Bourg d'Oisans

The scenery shifts today as we climb toward Notre-Dame de la Salette, first through forest, then across open mountain pastures. Several passes follow, along with the week’s last long descent, bringing us down into Valbonnais. From there, we climb again over rolling trails and quiet roads to cross the Col d’Ornon, before a final descent that alternates between grassy tracks, purpose-built sections, and a flowing finish into the heart of Bourg d’Oisans.

Distance: 58 km (36 mi)
Elevation gain: +2,200 m (+7,218 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Local hotel or auberge in Bourg d’Oisans

Day 4: A taste of Alpe d'Huez and views of La Meije

We climb straight out of Bourg d’Oisans, starting with a few unavoidable stretches of asphalt before the trail turns technical. After roughly 700 m of climbing, the route alternates between narrow trails and quiet roads, taking in part of the legendary Alpe d’Huez climb before reaching balcony trails with views over Les Gorges d’Infernet. A long but relatively smooth climb follows to the Saint-Georges Pass, marking the start of the lake-studded Emparis Plateau—where the glacier-capped summit of La Meije, at 3,983 m, comes into full view.

Distance: 55 km (34 mi)
Elevation gain: +2,500 m (+8,202 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Local hotel or auberge in La Grave

Day 5: Into the park on the Chemin du Roy

Today’s stage runs deep into Écrins National Park, starting with the exceptionally scenic section from La Grave to Villar d’Arène. We climb the Col du Lautaret before winding down along the Chemin du Roy, a trail dating back to the Roman Empire, with views over the Serre Chevalier Valley. It’s a long day in the saddle with plenty of technical trail, and after the final descent toward Le Monêtier-les-Bains, a well-earned rest awaits in the Briançon area.

Distance: 55 km (34 mi)
Elevation gain: +2,200 m (+7,218 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (dinner not included tonight)
Accommodation: Local hotel or auberge in the Briançon area

Day 6: The Route des Puys to Mont-Dauphin

We start smoothly on quiet roads before entering Parc des Écrins, where the trail turns playful. From there, the Route des Puys leads us through villages worth falling for, tracing the southern balcony with views over Briançon and the Durance river. There’s an optional bypass around one technical section, though most riders choose to ride it anyway. The stage continues through the Fournel Valley and over the Col des Lauzes, finishing with a superb descent into Mont-Dauphin.

Distance: 67 km (42 mi)
Elevation gain: +2,200 m (+7,218 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Local hotel or auberge in Mont-Dauphin

Day 7: Back to Orcières over Mont Guillaume

The day begins with a short transfer by train, skipping the least interesting stretch of road between Mont-Dauphin and Chorges, where the stage properly begins. We quickly find a quiet rhythm climbing the slopes of Mont Guillaume, known for its chapel and annual pilgrimage, passing through Réallon and a string of charming hamlets along the way. Rolling roads carry us onward, apart from a short crossing at the Dévezet, before we cross the Col de Moissière by road and finish on an enduro trail from Ancelle—closing out the loop back at our guesthouse in Orcières.

Distance: 47 km (29 mi)
Elevation gain: +1,450 m (+4,757 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Orcières

Day 8: Departure

The trip wraps up with breakfast at the guesthouse before we head back toward the airport. It’s a travel day, with no riding on the schedule, just time for coffee, goodbyes, and one last look at Écrins National Park before the group disperses. Transfers can be arranged from Marseille, Lyon, or Geneva airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Note

To ensure the best experience, the guide team may adapt the itinerary based on weather or local conditions.

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Lodging

Guesthouse, local hotels, auberges, gîtes, and mountain huts

Two nights of this trip are spent at a guesthouse in Orcières, run by your guide team and used as the base at both the start and finish of the loop. The five nights in between are spread across local hotels, auberges, gîtes, and mountain huts, chosen for their location along the route rather than a single fixed standard—expect simple, 2- to 3-star comfort with a strong local character, from family-run lodges to traditional mountain guesthouses.

Adventure, packed to go

Grand Tour des Écrins: 8-Day Mountain Biking Loop

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Harre

Harre lives outdoors—on his bike, in the mountains, or on his way to the next adventure. With a background in various outdoor sports and years of hands-on experience in the field, he knows exactly what makes a strong mountain biking trip. During the trips, you'll find him on the trail or behind the wheel of the support van, always with an eye for detail and the rhythm of the group.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (5 reviews)

Pascale Degrève

Top-notch organization! Harre and Sarah are always ready to help with technical, physical, and mental 😉 problems. Everything well prepared, funny briefings to start the day. They offer a huge variety of trails, from technical to simply enjoying the beautiful landscapes and the great company! Give us more of that…..

Pieter Baert

With these guides, all you have to think about is pedaling and navigating. They provide beautiful routes, lodging, supplies, and roadside assistance. Harre and Sara do this with an unwavering friendliness. With them, it’s always a vacation. I’ve already done several MTB trips with them, both domestically and internationally. Even if you sign up alone, you’ll always find friendly people to ride with. I’ve already made friends for life.

Bart Van Den Langenbergh

I’ve been on a few cycling trips with these guides. Harre and Sara are fantastic people, always there for you! I’m planning another trip with them this year, and I’m really looking forward to it!

Show all reviews

Pascale Degrève

Pieter Baert

Bart Van Den Langenbergh

Natascha Heykers (Natascha)

Wonderful and very well-organized mountain bike trips with Harre and Sara! Always well-organized and well-cared for. The trips always start with a silly joke :). …

Ronny Van Hove

It’s fun to travel with these guides. Harre and Sara are incredibly knowledgeable about their work! They’re very spontaneous and always give you that holiday feeling.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced local guide team, accompanying you by bike and support van
  - 8-day mountain bike tour in the French Alps (6 days of riding)
  - Accommodation for 7 nights:
    
    2 nights at a guesthouse in Orcières (start and finish)
    
    5 nights in local hotels, auberges, gîtes, and mountain huts
  - All meals: breakfast and dinner at the accommodations, lunch on the trail (except one dinner in the Briançon area)
  - GPS tracks for all six riding stages
  - Train ticket for you and your bike from Mont-Dauphin to Chorges
  - Luggage transport between accommodations
  - Food supplies and technical support during the rides
  - On-site support from your guide team throughout the trip
Add-ons:
- - E-bike rental — possible to rent, leave a note at checkout if interested
Not included:
- - Transport to and from Orcières
  - One dinner in the Briançon area
  - Personal expenses and drinks with meals, as well as soft drinks at supply points
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
This is a tour for experienced riders looking for a challenge, not a scenic pedal through the Alps. Over six consecutive riding days, stages range from 47 km (29 mi) to 68 km (42 mi), with elevation gain between 1,450 m (4,757 ft) and 2,500 m (8,202 ft) per day, and there are no rest days built in between.

You should already be a confident mountain biker with solid fitness and good bike-handling skills. Expect narrow singletrack, loose or rocky descents, and technical sections that demand focus even late in the day, when fatigue sets in. This isn’t a trip to build those skills on the go — riders should arrive already comfortable riding long days in the mountains.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more bike trips in the European Alps here!
Riding gear
- - Helmet, glasses, and gloves
  - Arm warmers and leg warmers — optional
  - Rain jacket or windstopper
  - Knee and elbow protection — recommended
Trail repair kit
- - Multitool, including a chain tool
  - 2 inner tubes and 2 powerlinks
  - Small pump, patch kit, and tubeless plug
  - Lubricant and duct tape (about 1 m — handy wrapped around your pump)
  - Spare brake pads, derailleur hanger, derailleur cable, and a few spokes
  - Zip ties and toilet paper
  - Charger or spare battery for electronic shifting, if applicable
Food and essentials
- - A few energy bars, plus your own energy drink if you have a preference
  - Mobile phone and GPS with spare batteries
  - First-aid kit, including an emergency blanket — mandatory
  - ID card, bank card, and some cash
  - European Health Insurance Card, where applicable
In your regular luggage
- - Cycling shorts, short- and long-sleeved jerseys (or arm warmers), cycling socks, and a base layer
  - Casual evening clothes: trousers or shorts, t-shirt, underwear, socks, a sweater, and a light or waterproof jacket
  - Comfortable shoes or sandals, and swimwear
  - Toiletries, including SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm with sun protection, and chamois cream
Extras worth packing
- - Charger and spare battery for e-bike riders
  - Phone and GPS chargers (a USB one for the GPS)
  - Dry cloths for wiping down the bike after wet days — buckets and sponges are provided
  - Earplugs, and old newspapers to dry out wet shoes overnight
Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!
Yes. If you’d rather skip some of the climbing, your guides can arrange an e-bike rental for you. Reach out for availability and pricing.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Écrins mountain bike tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants.
Écrins mountain biking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
The starting point of this Écrins mountain bike tour is Orcières, France (05170), in the Hautes-Alpes. Three airports serve the area well, and transfers can be arranged with your guide team from any of them:
- - Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) — around 215 km (134 mi) away, roughly 2 hours 20 minutes by car. A direct train also runs from the airport to Gap, followed by a short local transfer.
  - Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) — around 213 km (132 mi) away, roughly 2 hours 45 minutes by car.
  - Geneva Airport (GVA) — around 250 km (155 mi) away, roughly 3 hours 10 minutes by car, making it the furthest of the three but still a straightforward drive through the Alps.
Renting a car is the most flexible way to reach Orcières, since public transport connections to this part of the Hautes-Alpes are limited. If you’d rather not drive, let your guide team know your arrival airport and time, and they’ll arrange a transfer for you.

Once in Orcières, you’ll meet the rest of the group at the guesthouse, where your car can stay parked for the full week—since every stage of the loop starts and finishes right there.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits

Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

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