Mountain Biking in Alpe d’Huez

With 35 dedicated mtb trails, Alpe d’Huez is at the heart of one of the biggest mountain biking areas in France and offers some of the very best big mountain terrain in the Alps. This huge biking playground covers 2,600 m of vertical drop from the summit of the 3,330 m Pic Blanc all the way down to the Bourg d’Oisans valley.

Alpe d’Huez sits high up on a plateau and all the riding above the resort is above the treeline. As you climb towards the Sarenne Glacier, the landscape changes from green mountain pastures to a moonscape of rock and scree. In contrast, when heading down from Alpe d’Huez, you can ride a good mix of terrain including some classic forest runs. Alpe d’Huez is adjacent to Les Deux Alpes, making this a great place to base yourself for a week’s riding holiday.

The resort has become infamous due to the hugely popular Megavalanche event, which for many epitomises what mountain biking is all about. From a mass start, riders race the 30 kilometres of trail from the snowy glacier down over steep rocky terrain to the valley floor. Taking part in the Megavalanche has to be on the hit list of any self-respecting enduro rider.

The Mega aside, Alpe d’Huez is paradise for enduro mountain biking. With over 100 km of trails to tackle, you’ll put your full biking skill set to the test while you fill your day riding a mixture of technical singletrack, forest runs and fast open terrain. The graded downhill tracks are shorter but provide an intense experience and the blacks require full concentration and a solid riding ability.

The resort has concentrated in recent years on creating a number of recreational areas, including a pump track, freeride features and north shore. In 2013, the Megavalanche course was reworked above the Chalvet lift, a new red enduro track was opened and two new DH tracks have graced the Auris area. Alpe d’Huez might not be the prettiest resort in the Alps but the mountain biking is epic and the scenery is jaw dropping.