Haute Route by Bike

8 days (Geneva)

Destinations visited: Switzerland, Geneva

Grading:

Moderate to Challenging level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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A mountain bike adventure from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn

The Haute Route is one of the most famous walks in the European Alps and recently this famous trail has developed into one of the most rewarding mountain bike trails in the world. Setting out under the stunning shadow of Mont Blanc above Chamonix, we ride through the heart of the alps, crossing high alpine passes at altitudes of over 2500m including Pas de Lona, Basset de Lona and Illsee pass. The well maintained Swiss single tracks offer outstanding riding as we appreciate the breathtaking alpine summits and glaciers surrounding us. The fantastic final descent into Zermatt takes us underneath the stunning and unforgettable Matterhorn - the most recognisable peak in the Swiss Alps. This is a fitting end to a superb mountain bike tour.

Highlights

Incredible alpine scenery
Cycling rewarding, world class mountain bike trails
Legendary Haute Route adapted for mountain bikes
Breathtaking views of Mont Blanc & the Matterhorn
Ride through several high alpine passes at an altitude of over 2500m
Pass through charming old Swiss villages

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Geneva, transfer to Chamonix

'Meet and great' by our guide at the airport and transfer to Chamonix. We will deposit our baggage at our evening accommodation, which boasts a view of Mont Blanc. We have time to unpack and prepare the bikes - and take care of any last minute shopping requirements with the possibility of a visit to Chamonix town.

Day 2 Ride Le Tour and on to Verbier

Today we begin with a ride to Le Tour at the top of the Chamonix Valley. From here we will take the gondola to Col de Balme and ride the first technical descent to the village of Trient, Switzerland. Then we climb the Col de la Forclaz and descend into the Martigny Valley and its vineyards. We continue on to Val de Bagne and Verbier by following the contours of the valley via both road and trails, finishing by taking a lift to arrive in the ski resort of Verbier (overnight). Ride distance: 40km Ascent: 1300m Descent: 1500m

Day 3 To Evolene

Today we are starting from the village of Verbier, with amazing views of the Grand Combin and Mont Blanc rang,e and heading towards Evolene, following the itinerary of the 'Grand Raid Cristalp race'. Firstly we pass the Croix de Coeur pass and descend on a splendid single track. The rest of the day provides several climbs and descents, one by skilift with the reward of a long descent on a spruce needle covered spongy single track... whaaa! A long final climb (about 1 hour) takes us to the top of Sex Pey, followed by the technical final descent of the day to the quaint Swiss village of Evolene nestled in a narrow valley. Over night in Evolene Ride distance: 65km Ascent: 1900m Descent: 2400m

Day 4 To Grimentz via Pas de Lna, Basset de Lona, Moiry Lake & descent to Grimetz

Today involves the big climb of the two highest passes of this trip, Pas de Lona at 2787m and Basset de Lona at 2792m. We first climb the Pas de Lona on a jeep track, and with a 30mn 'hike/bike' section to the top. The ride between Pas de Lona and Basset de Lona is 'swoopy' and the climb of Basset de Lona is rideable to the top. The reward is a long and varied descent passing near the beautiful lake of Moiry and finishing with a nice single track descent to the village of Grimentz. Overnight in Grimentz. Ride distance: 45km Ascent: 1700m Descent:1900m

Day 5 Illsee Pass to Unterbäch

This morning we have an early start for another long day on the bike. We will ride via the Illsee pass at 2544m, from where we can see both the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, with a view of what we have achieved and what there is still to ride... After a short descent, a 30 minute pushing section follows with an epic and well deserved varied downhill descent. This descent is a mix of all the best trails you've ever dreamed about, fast tracks, swooping and technical sections and tight corners, it's just too good! Breath easy, the climbs are finished and a road/jeep track brings us to a point above Unterbäch, Valais, finishing with an easy downhill for the night, phew!! Ride distance: 55km Ascent: 1400m Descent: 2000m

Day 6 Swiss Rhone Valley, Saint Niklaus & Zermatt Valley

We have a change of ambiance today. We will ride on the ridge of the Swiss Rhone Valley and enter into the German speaking area of Switzerland: achtung! After a warm up on a jeep track we will hit a single track and finish the climb with a 'hike/bike' section to the highest point for the day, the 'Moose pass' at 2048m. The view of the neighboring peaks is stunning as we stand at the junction of the Zermatt and Saas-Fé Valleys. The descent to Saint Niklaus and the Zermatt Valley is excellent. We use single tracks and large trails and pass through alpine villages barely hanging on the mountain side. Enjoy the view from Moose alps pass! Overnight in St Niklaus. Ride distance: 40km Ascent: 1100m Descent: 1100m

Day 7 Riding in the Zermatt Valley

The final day riding will be engraved in your memory forever. From Saint Niklaus we will head to Zermatt using trails and road. We will then ride the terrific trails of the Zermatt Valley. The group has a choice of a lift to make the assent. The Gornergrat train to 3016m or the Sunnegga funicular. From both of these lifts the view of the Matterhorn, the Breithorn and the Monte Rosa is just inspiring. The descent down to Zermatt is fantastic and will definitely make your disc brake burn! Riding this tour is what dreams are made of. Ride distance: 40km Ascent: 700m Descent: 1800m

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Day 8 Transfer Chamonix to Geneva, trip concludes

Today our trip concludes with a transfer to the Geneva airport. Please make sure to book a late afternoon or evening return flight, due to the transfer time to Geneva airport from Zermatt.

Additional Information

Inclusions

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
arrival and departure transfers from Geneva (Days 1 & 8 only)
professional experienced guide
luggage transfers to overnight accommodation
lift passes in Chamonix valley, Verbier and Siviez
cycling jersey
organic energy drinks and snack bars
mountain bikes & helmets are not included but can be hired (additional cost applies)

Summary

8 day trip
6 days mountain biking
7 nights hotel/mountain refuges

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

What You Carry

Wet weather gear, sunscreen, walking shoes, warm clothes, day pack. A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

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Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

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