Five Day Itinerary
The five day itinerary includes four days of guided mountain biking around the Lac du Serre Poncon on trails, tracks and paths through the wilds of the mountains above and around the lake. The route isn't way marked or in any mountain bike guides but has been thoroughly ridden and reccied by our guides
The timings and general route described in the itinerary are aimed at an average level of mountain biking experience. If you are interested in this trip but would like to make it longer, more challenging or tone it down a bit, please just let us know when you make your enquiry and we can adapt it for you. There are lots of different routes and possibilities.
One night hotel and three nights camping accommodation (one wild camp and two on established camp sites) are included. For the hotel night you can choose either the 'Early arrival' or 'Last Night Stay' Option - whichever suits your travel arrangements the best. If you would like to do both, this is also possible to arrange.
Vacances Bleu hotel complex
If you prefer to arrive in the area the night before to get a good nights rest before you start biking, then your holiday starts here!
If we are providing transfers for you, we would collect you from the airport or station. If not you can leave your car at the hotel for the duration of the trip. Either way, we'll welcome you at the hotel.
You will be staying in the Vacances Bleu hotel (two people to a room) where there's a pool, a bar and restaurant, a beautiful view and large gardens to relax in.
Depending on what time you arrive you can go for a short walk around the area, take in the views of the lake or just relax in the hotel complex and prepare for your mountain biking trip tomorrow.
An evening meal, breakfast and picnic lunch for tomorrow is included.
Departure: Chorges 14:00hrs
Arrival: Camping de Greoliers, Epinasses 18:00hrs
Distance: 15 - 20 km (different routes possible)
Climbing and Descent: mainly descent
If you are staying at the hotel for the 'early arrival option', you have a leisurely morning to pack up your things and eat lunch before meeting your guide. He will arrive around 13:00 with your bikes and introduce you to the tour. You will either set off from here or go for a short drive to the start.
If you are arriving today and we are providing your transfers we'll collect you at the airport or station and drive you directly to meet the guides at the 'croix des pres' in Chorges where we will organise baggage and bikes before setting off.
If you are self driving, we'll provide you with maps to get here and arrange a suitable meeting time (early afternoon). You can leave your cars here or at the hotel where you will stay on your last night.
You just need a day sack with water and any snacks you like as the driver will take your baggage to the next campsite.
It is a gentle start to the tour beginning with a spectacular view of the two arms of the lake. There's a short 10 minute climb and then the rest of the route is mainly descent and cross country. It is possible to add an extra climb (about 30 mins) for a longer ride.
The idea is for the guide to get to know your level and get your legs used to riding! You will have amazing panoramic views of the lake for most of the route and will see the damn. There are also a few other interesting rock formations, waterfalls and unusual landscapes to experience!
There are showers, a pool, table tennis and a children's play area at the camp site so plenty of things to do to chill out after your ride.
You will be sleeping in two person tents and eating al fresco at the camp site. The guide will set up the tents and cook dinner but is always happy for you to muck in and generate a community team spirit! Although, beware of too many cooks...
Departure: Camping de Greoliers, Epinasses 10:00
Arrival: Camping de St Vincent les forts 17:00
Distance: 20 - 30 km (different routes possible)
Climbing and Descent: very up and down cross country
This is a really wild part of the route, traversing across the terraces above the lake. It is possible to start directly from the campsite, but the route is very technical so usually you take a short drive to the start (where it becomes bikeable for normal people!)
You will really be getting away from civilisation here - the area is only accessible by foot or boat! Your guide will navigate the way through, choosing trails and tracks suitable for you, stopping off for photos, swims in the lake and general fun stuff!
At the campsite there are shower and toilet facilities, a bar, table tennis and it's right by the lake so that's your swimming pool and you can hire out kayaks and pedalos!
Departure: Camping de St Vincent les fort 9:00
Arrival: Grand Morgon Forest 17:00
Distance: 20 - 30 km (different routes possible)
Climbing and Descent: 800m of ascent
It's not possible to start directly from the campsite so we'll give you a lift in the van to the start of the ride.
These next two days will really feel like a true mountain biking adventure with an overnight wild camp, barely disturbed mountains and woods and interesting tracks to ride.
Today is a big day with 800 metres of ascent - about 12km up hill! But by now your legs should be perfectly adapted to cycling and ready for a tough day! And you are rewarded with spectacular views from the col at the top! A perfect place for a picnic!
The rest of the route is a beautiful cross country route, traversing through the forests above the lake, (very lord of the rings country!).
There a some very pretty little secluded bays along the way so a swim stop is usually a given (and quite a good idea as you won't be having any showers later!)
Tonight you will be camping wild in the forest of Grand Morgon. You will have the same tents and matresses you have been using on the previous nights, which will be dropped off with the rest of your baggage at the camp spot. There aren't any showers or toilets but the guides will explain camping etiquette for toilets!
It is a great night, all on your own in the woods with just the sounds of the birds and animals of the night to keep you company. Very relaxing.
Departure: Grand Morgon Forest 9:00
Arrival: La Baie de Chanteloube (Chorges) 15:00
Distance: 20 - 35 km (different routes possible)
Climbing and Descent: Long descent to Savines and then cross country up and down.
You'll pack up your tents and baggage ready to be collected as usual in the morning so you will still only have your day packs to bike with.
After breakfast in the woods, you'll continue your mountain biking adventure through the forest on a superb descent to Savines, which is a town situated on the banks of the Lac Serre Poncon.
After Savines you have 10 - 20 km interesting cross country biking really close to the banks of the lake so plenty of swimming possibilities - a welcome invitation after your wild camp! And then an idyllic picnic stop for lunch by the lake.
The last part of the journey is a beautiful cross country route with a variety of paths and tracks back to the Baie de Chanteloube which is in Chorges - the same town you started at!
If your car is back at the hotel or you have chosen to stay there tonight, we'll give you a lift back there or if we are organising your transfers, we'll take you to the airport from here.
Twin room in Vacances Bleu Hotel
If you feel like a relaxing evening and leisurely or even an active morning to recover from the trip, this is a good option!
The hotel is the Vacances Bleu Hotel complex and it has great views, a pool, gardens, bar and restaurant.
We can advise you on short walks to do in the area or can arrange another activity for you if you feel like doing something adventurous to finish the trip off! Have a look at our
activity pages for ideas.
An evening meal and breakfast are included.
If we are providing your transfers, we'll collect you from the hotel at the arranged time and take you to the airport or station. If you are self drive - the day is yours to do as you please!!
