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This Grenoble - Sisteron is a “must do”: fun trails and stunning scenery are the order of each day... Between Grenoble and Sisteron, the landscapes, climates and traditions switch from alpine to provençal... Under the watchful eye of the Mont Aiguille, we cross the open valley of the Trièves, with the mighty Vercors and Dévoluy on either side. We then cross the Col de la Croix Haute, where forests and alpine scenery progressively give way to mediterranean vegetation. We discover the stunning and wild Buëch area, and its renowned mountain biking trails: Savournon and Orpierre.
From Lake Geneva to the sea... This circuit is the third part of the Grand Mountain Bike Traversee of the Pre-Alps called Les Chemins du Soleil, which consists of 3 one week circuits.
This mountain bike classic can be ridden in several stages or in one go for the foolhardy! A long traversee that takes you from the Alpine scenery of the northern Pre-Alps to the provençal atmosphere of the southern Pre-Alps and finally to the Mediterranean Sea.
Bauges, Chartreuse, Trièves, Dévoluy, Buëch, Verdon, Esteron, Nice hinterland... One after the other the mountain ranges open up on this alpine mountain bike trip, concocted with very little hike-a-bike and road sections.
On track for the Grand Traverse of the Pre-Alps!
Itinerary start: Rendezvous on the first day is at 1pm in front of Monestier de Clermont railway station.
A few kilometres on the road to warm up the legs before we tackle the "Crête des Bois" trails. This route takes us through forests of beech and fir, offering us our first dose of singletrack (including a climb that you won’t forget for some time!). The eastern edge of the Vercors, with its impressive cliffs, looms close by. Night in a gite.
Distance covered: approx. 25 km / Ascent: approx. 800 m
A complete traverse of the Trièves region, with its scenic farmland, interspersed with gorges, beech and fir forests, and hamlets and villages with fish scale tiled roofs and cloisters. And superb singletrack to boot... At the Côte Rouge orientation table we discover a 360 degree panorama: the Vercors cliffs with the extraordinary Mont Aiguille, the Dévoluy, the Oisans mountains, and Lake Monteynard at our feet. The Brion suspension bridge takes us across the River Ebron (and the lake). On paths and tracks, through villages and hamlets, we discover mountains such as the Drac (the devil) the Bonnet de Calvin, and the Obiou (the bullock), before joining our gite in the hamlet of Lalley - Avers.
Distance covered: approx. 45 km / Ascent: approx. 1300 m
Today we cross the natural border between the northern and southern Alps. A smooth forest track leads us to the "Maison des Pâtres" (the shepherd’s house). From here on the trail damage caused by cows means a hike-a-bike to the mountain pass (altitude 1607 m) that separates the two peaks that dominate the village. We're well rewarded by a great trail that takes us to the Col de la Chante and the hamlet of Sièzes. We finally arrive at the village of Lus la Croix Haute where a last forest track leads us to our gite in La Jarjatte, at the foot of the Dévoluy Mountains, and close to the source of the Buëch, the river that will accompany us all the way to Sisteron.
Distance covered: approx. 30 km / Ascent: approx. 1050 m
Through the Riou Froid gorges and the fir forests of the Vallon des Chabottes, we make our way up to the Col des Tours. The track turns into a narrow trail where a short hike-a-bike enables us to cross a few rocky outcrops. We also make a few stops along the way to observe chamois and deer, commonly found in these parts. At the Vallon de Laup (1708 m), we attack the southern slope through dense beech forests. Two mountain passes still separate us from our overnight accommodation: Souchière and Glaise, before we coast into the town of Veynes. We take the time to visit the picturesque and quiet streets of Veynes, with their colourful old stone buildings. Ten kilometres on a small mountain road leads us to the village of Le Saix and our gite for the night above the village.
Distance covered: approx. 45 km / Ascent: approx. 1200 m
A tonic start to the day in order to reach the small mountain pass above our gite. We ride a superb forest singletrack descent, before regaining altitude on a wide track through pine forests, leading us to the ridge of the Aujour Mountain, and its views of the plains of the Buëch and the Savournon Valley. Another great singletrack trail takes us to a swimming spot at the Lac du Pêcher... We then cross a high plateau, before starting our long descent to Savournon through a magnificent pine forest. A superb last climb of the day on a narrow trail, which winds its way up through a forest of pine and hardwood. Last descent of the day on a "secret" singletrack known only to the locals... Overnight stay in a gite around Savournon.
Distance covered: approx. 40 km / Ascent: approx. 1200 m
We make our way back to the Buëch Plains, and past the Riou Lake and the old ruined village of Eyguians. We cross the Buëch Plains on an easy section of trail, before taking on the Orpierre mountains... We start with a 20 minute hike-a-bike, up through the forest, allowing us to join a forest track that leads us to the summit of the Montagne d'Orpierre. As a reward, a great singletrack takes us to the St Cyrice Chapel, before joining the village of Orpierre and its famous cliffs, which draw climbers from the 4 corners of the globe. We arrive in a labyrinth of picturesque narrow streets dating from medieval times... Overnight stay in a gite in the old part of the village.
Distance covered: approx. 40 km / Ascent: approx. 800 m.
The last major obstacle stands between us and our final destination of Sisteron: the Montagne de Chabre. After a switchback climb through a pine forest, we access the mountain ridge after a fifteen minute push. Another beautiful panorama awaits us. The village of Orpierre looks much smaller from this cliff top viewpoint... We head down into the Méouge Valley on a magnificent small singletrack trail. Arriving in the Méouge Gorge, we make our way downstream on a quiet country road that overlooks the river. We find ourselves on the Buëch River once again. We follow the Buëch on small roads and wide tracks to Sisteron, where the river meets the waters of the mighty Durance. Through fields and orchards, we ride the last kilometres of our "Chemins du Soleil", with a beautiful view of the Sisteron cliffs as a backdrop.
Distance covered: approx. 35 km / Ascent: approx. 750 m
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
Itinerary end: Separation on the last day at around 3pm at Sisteron SNCF railway station.
Return to the start point of the journey
It is possible to return to Vif on the picturesque Veynes-Grenoble railway line. From the top of its viaducts you'll get great views of the mountains we rode through during the week.
If required Vélorizons can organise a vehicle transfer for your group back to the start point of the journey. This service is only available if there is a sufficient number of participants.
Please specify on your booking form if you would like to benefit from this service. We will then contact you in order to confirm whether the service will be available.
If you would like to ride this circuit straight after the Lake Geneva (or Lake Annecy) - Grenoble circuit, and intend to come by car to the start point, we recommend you leave your car in Grenoble on day 1 of the Lake Geneva (or Lake Annecy) - Grenoble circuit, then take a Grenoble-Annecy-Annemasse train.
This will allow you to retrieve your car on day 7 of the Lake Geneva (or Lake Annecy) - Grenoble circuit, and join the beginning of the Grenoble - Sisteron circuit.
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