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Grand Tour des Écrins: 8-Day Mountain Biking Loop
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  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Summary
Grand Tour des Écrins: 8-Day Mountain Biking Loop
Itinerary
Grand Tour des Écrins: 8-Day Mountain Biking Loop
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1 Person
  • Grand Tour des Écrins: 8-Day Mountain Biking Loop - 1
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Cancel in the first 48h for free
Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit
Travel and medical insurance available

  • 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.

    • 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

    • 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

      rocky trail ecrins

    • 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

      lake ecrins

    • 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

      ecrins support van

    • 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

      picnic time ecrins

    • 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

      beautiful ride ecrins

    • 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

      resting ecrins ride

    • 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

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

    • 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.

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