The Alps to Provence - Itinerary Description
The Alps to Provence is a fabulous mountain biking experience taking you from the snow capped mountains of the Ecrins to the lavender fields, apricots and peaches of Provence.
There are several options and it is even possible for the same group to have different routes that end up at the same accommodation each night if you have mixed abilities or are a family with mountain bike mad dad or teenagers and a younger child (minimum age recommended is age 10) who wants a more gentle ride with mum!
When you contact us our mountain bike guide, Laurent, will discuss your level in detail to make sure we choose the best route for you. We'll then create the track for you so you can download it onto your GPS and provide you with hard copies of maps as well so you have a back up!
For families, the route would be mainly on canal paths, forest trails and tracks and quiet back roads and the distances would be shorter with less ascent and descent. For serious mountain bikers, expect single track and much more technical routes with lots more distance and ascent and descent!
Laurent is a very experienced mountain bike guide with years of experience all over the world. He is a specialist in this area and has tried and tested all the variations on our Alps to Provence trip.
The itinerary below is just an example with a technical and an easy route detailed to give you an idea of the range of possibilities and to paint a picture of the different landscapes you will ride through. It isn't possible to write down all the variations - it would take up too much space!!!
Please note that all ascent and descent is calculated by the GPS so every meter is counted. This is very different to the old fashioned way of calculating where the difference between the lowest and highest altitudes on the route is used. So, please don't be alarmed if the ascent or descent looks huge - it is just that you aren't used to this way of working it out. It would be calculated as much less the old fashioned way but the route is the same!
If you have chosen to use us for your transfers to bring you to the start, we'll come and collect you at the station or airport and take you to your first night's accommodation.
Laurent, your mountain bike guide is also your host for your first night's accommodation at the Auberge so he will meet you and go through the route in more detail and answer any questions you may have.
The Champoleon valley is situated just on the edge of the Ecrins National park with a dramatic backdrop of snowcapped mountains and glaciers.
The area is rich in wildlife, with chamois and ibex frequenting the steep cliffs and mountain sides and marmots scurrying form burrow to burrow all around. There is even a pair of golden eagles who have made this valley their home.
For committed mountain bikers on the technical itinerary there is a beautiful single track route traversing the mountainside with panoramic views of the valley. There is a physically demanding technical ascent up to the Tante Yvonne cabin and then a beautiful long descent down to your accommodation for the night in Ancelle.
For a more easy going day, it is the same start but instead of going up to tante Yvonne, there is a pretty canal path traversing the valley. At the end of the canal path there is a track taking you up over the col and down into the village of Ancelle.
Ancelle is a very pretty alpine village situated on a plateau surrounded by mountains. There is a bar in the village and choice of restaurants if you don't want to eat in your bed and breakfast.
Technical Summary
|
|
Easy Route
|
Technical Route
|
| Distance |
19 km |
40 km |
| Ascent |
500 m |
1559 m |
| Descent |
500 m |
1507 m |
This is a fabulous leg taking you from the Champsaur valley with it's spectacular high mountain backdrop and pretty alpine villages, like Ancelle to the Gapencais valley in the low Alps with wild, tree covered mountains, meadows and a view of the sunniest city in France, Gap.
For technical riders, this is a challenging ascent up to the col de Moissiere where you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the Durance valley. After that there is a fantastic traverse to the col de Manse with panoramic views all the way along on a mixture of single track and canal paths to Rabou.
For really sporty mountain bikers, there is a fantastic variant up to the col de Gleize with a great single track descent into Rabou.
The easy route starts with a quiet road and then a path to get to the col de Manse where, if you were in a mixed group, you could meet up with the sporty riders and ride together with panoramic views and plenty of photo and picnic opportunities to share along the way. The route then descends to Rabou.
Technical Summary
|
|
Easy Route
|
Technical Route
|
| Distance |
25 km |
31 km |
| Ascent |
600 m |
950 m |
| Descent |
750 m |
1114 m |
A beautiful route through the pre-Alps, cols, forest, fields and mountains.....
For the hard core mountain bikers this is a long leg with several passages over cols including a magnificent single track descent into Montmaur - well deserved after a physical test that is the ascent!! Stay the night at Glaize a little village near to Veynes.
The easy version is mainly on small roads and paths traversing the same countryside but omitting the big ascents and descents! The last climb up to your accommodation is a challenge at the end of your day but allows you to ride through beautiful countryside in peace and quiet!
Technical Summary
|
|
Easy Route
|
Technical Route
|
| Distance |
26 km |
40 km |
| Ascent |
450 m |
2000 m |
| Descent |
450 m |
2000 m |
A wonderful route following the river Buech as it winds down the valley. Lavender, apricots and peaches.... mmmmmmmm
For experienced mountain bikers riding the technical route, this is a relative rest day starting with a fun descent down past Veynes. Afterwards you continue up to the col de la Croix near Savournon where you will be staying for the night.
For the easy mountain bikers, your day starts on a quiet tarmac road and takes you though pretty villages of Aspres St Buech, Aspremont, Sigottier and Serres. Towards the end of your day you end up at a swimming lake where a welcome swim and sunbathe might be in order, before you head up to your accommodation.
Technical Summary
|
|
Easy Route
|
Technical Route
|
| Distance |
25 km |
37 km |
| Ascent |
700 m |
700 m |
| Descent |
700 m |
700 m |
Now in the heart of the Alpes Provence you will be riding through orchards, lavender fields and all those lovely 'provencal' scenes you dream about!
For the 'sportif' mountain bikers you start with a climb over the Montagne de St Genis ridge which is the last real barrier before you descend towards the Sisteron valley. Afterthat there is another climb along a pretty path up to the Riou swimming lake where you can stop for a well deserved swim and sunbathe before continuing on to Laragne.
For the easy option, you conto the Montagne de St Genis for a more direct route towards the swimming lake where you have the choice of swimming in the lake or stopping off for a wilder, refreshing bath in the Riou gorges. Save a bit of energy for your last climb to Vieil-Eyguians and the château d'Arzeliers !
Technical Summary
|
|
Easy Route
|
Technical Route
|
| Distance |
18 km |
30 km |
| Ascent |
800 m |
1300 m |
| Descent |
800 m |
1300 m |
The last leg of your Alps to Provence mountain bike trip!
This is a great finale to your trip with a varied route taking in dramatic mountain gorges, peach and apricot orchards and a spectacular finish at the citadel of Sisteron.
The hard core mountain biker route takes you on a circuit around the Mountain of St Cyr overlooking the beautiful Méouge Gorges with very tempting rock pools waiting to be jumped into! The end of the route takes you through the orchards of Sisteron where the sweet scent of peaches and apricots are a welcome distraction! On your arrival you will be rewarded with the dramatic view of the Sisteron citadel - the challenge - will you be able to walk all the way to the top!!?
For families and easy riders your route is almost the same without the mountain of St Cyr ascent but still with a quick visit to the beautiful Méouge Gorges - dramatic canyons carved into the limestone with welcoming rock pools for a quick refresh! Finish your adventure riding through the peach and apricot orchards bringing you to the dramatic Sisteron citadel where the last remaining challenge is to see if you legs will carry you to the top!
Technical Summary
|
|
Easy Route
|
Technical Route
|
| Distance |
32 km |
43 km |
| Ascent |
500 m |
900 m |
| Descent |
500 m |
900 m |
This is the last day where you will take your suntanned mountain biking legs and revived spirits back home with you along with a head full of memories to store in your memory bank!
You can either take the train straight back from Sisteron, or, if you have arranged a transfer with us back to Gap or the Auberge at the beginning of your trip, we'll come and pick you up.
