If you’re planning an MTB holiday this summer, France is practically bursting with world-class destinations that provide excellent beginner's routes and technical challenges for experienced shredders.
Stay at one of Club Med’s all-inclusive resorts and you’ll not only benefit from being close to these routes, you’ll be able to take advantage of expert-led guided rides and post-ride pampering for optimal recovery.
Serre Chevalier: the enduro king
The Southern Alps’ best-kept secret, Serre Chevalier is home to the Grand Serre Che: a huge cross-valley route that connects Briancon to Monetier-les-Bains.
For technical riding, there’s the Izoard and Galibier, which offer a mix of trails and road. But the real highlight for MTBers lies in the Serre Chevalier Bike Park, which offers panoramic views of the Guisane Valley and a mixture of high-altitude, rocky and dirt trails.
Why stay with Club Med?
Included in the price of your stay are guided rides over cross-country trails and downhill tracks, with Lapierre trail and all-mountain bikes free to use. There are also a few ‘secret’ trails that don’t appear on the official park maps to discover.
Book your stay at Serre Chevalier
Tignes: high-altitude highs
Tignes is a high-Alpine playground with more than 160km of trails and a bike park renowned for diverse terrain, ranging from rocky and open to grassy and technical.
Expect a rich mix of trails that cater to all skill levels. The ‘Popeye’ green trail is a long, scenic route that’s perfect for families, while the ‘Gypsy’ red is technical with tight bends and a dual-slalom finish. For experienced riders, the ‘Dark Jadore’ is considered a rite of passage for gravity defiers.
Why stay with Club Med?
It’s a brand new resort with glacier views, pools and plenty of room for active recovery sessions such as kayaking, golf and eating Reblochon cheese pie at the Gourmet Club (this definitely counts).
Val d'Isere: World Cup heritage
Having hosted the UCI Downhill World Cup, Val d’Isere’s bike park is linked to Tignes and boasts more than 220km of marked trails.
Val d’Isere is home to ‘flowy’ beginner routes, but it’s particularly strong for intermediate and steep black runs for advanced riders. ‘Rhododendron’ is a standout run, celebrated for its steep and technical turns that transition into a smoother section dotted with jumps and berms.
Why stay with Club Med?
Part of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection, it’s a brand new resort complete with spa and yoga facilities, delicious local cuisine and plenty of opportunities to get out and explore the beautiful mountains. For recovery after lengthy MTB runs, you probably can’t beat it.
Peisey-Vallandry: rolling forests
Right in the heart of the Paradiski area, Peisey-Vellandry is best known for its diverse forest runs, but it also caters for those seeking gravel or enduro thrills.
La Deval’Landry is a must. A legendary red enduro trail, it combines rolling sections with forest singletracks that feel as though you’ve been transported to New Zealand.
Free charging stations in Sherpa shops also enable longer eMTB rides without putting too much strain on the body.
Why stay with Club Med?
While you’re out on the enduro trail, you can rest easy knowing your children are on accompanied rides through wooded trails, forest paths or exciting downhills. If you don’t have kids, you can recover quickly in cosy chalets and take luxurious dips in swimming pools with mountain views.
Book your stay at Peisey-Vallandry
Grand Massif: free-flowing rides
The Grand Massif’s Morillon played host to the MTB Enduro World Cup and has five linked resorts, several bike parks and a vast network of marked trails.
The Morillon is excellent for family outings or relaxing rides, with its route passing through forests, hamlets and open landscapes. It also leads nicely into Les Carroz bike park, an ideal place to challenge yourself on more technical trails.
For lunar landscapes and breathtaking views, Flaine’s wide spaces and gentle descents cater for free-flowing rides to cleanse the mind.
Why stay with Club Med?
Club Med’s Grand Massif Samoens Morillon resort places you at the heart of the trail network, so you can ride in and out without much fuss. Not to mention you’ll be staying in a resort with panoramic views of the Giffre Valley.
Book your stay at Grand Massif
Valmorel: eMTB underdog
Valmorel is an underrated mountain biking area that runs across four valleys (Isere, Morel, Naves and Eau Rousse).
The new beginner zone at the summit of the Pierrefort Gondola is one of the best places to learn the basics of downhill. Valmorel is also known for its eMTB routes, with over 100km of trails that range from Morel waterfalls to the La Coche dam.
Why stay with Club Med?
Valmorel offers half-day guided rides for all skill levels and those new to eMTBs, enabling you to better experience the nearby routes.
Explore all Club Med cycling resorts
*Club Med is financially protected – ABTA: V6608, ATOL: 10020. Learn more here.