Here you are at last! If you have arrived on this page, it is because you are about to leave on THE enduro mountain bike raid of the moment which succeeds in combining quality of landscape, top-of-the-range hotels and enduro trails, each one wilder than the next. You will be addicted to the Southern Alps! The Queyras, the Valle Maira and the Valle Stura during the same stay, you greedy bunch!
An epic journey in the heart of wild mountains under the vertiginous foothills of the Ubaye on the Italian side, endless horizon lines, isolated perched hamlets in the middle of the mountains where life still reigns all year round... With a departure from the Izoard pass and an arrival in the valley at the foot of the Larche pass, this announces the colour... All good, but good that has to be earned!
Contrary to the All Mountain formula where everything is done by pedal, here we benefit from a well-oiled and timed logistic follow-up to get to the heights and optimize the descent ratio. On this section of the Trans Piemonte, we are nevertheless in the high mountains and nothing is won in advance... you must expect to pedal! Some sections can be technical, but this is the key to some great descents. Technical single in the mountains and fast in the undergrowth, flow and commitment on some. The very definition of enduro in our eyes!
Do you have a date problem? Are you a group? You haven't found what you're looking for?
Tell us about your project and let's think together about your next adventure!
Let's get straight to the point, you're here to enjoy it, so we're going to so we're going to give you an eyeful from the very first day so that you will keep a memorable souvenir of the Queyras and its landscapes. A first day that sets the tone, between limestone landscapes and and high altitude mountain pastures, straight lines and hairpin straight lines and hairpin trails, everyone will be served... And if the pace is right we'll even have time to throw a last one behind the ear, to enjoy the atmosphere at the end of the day... We're not here every day! Night in a comfortable gîte
Big file today, a very mountainous day which allows us to to Italy via the biggest enduro routes in the area. of the area. Drop off at altitude to reach the border, welcome to the mineral world, which involves pushing a bit if you're not if you are not a fan of trialisant but it is the gateway to a descent descent that is worth its weight in peanuts. Climb back up via an equally alpine itinerary which will require us to push the bike again at certain moments to to push the bike once more at certain moments to uncover a mountain itinerary used in the past by the Queyrassins and the Italians during the during haymaking or festivities not to be missed... Meal in the mountains, coffee in the village at the bottom and off we go for a transfer to the transfer to the Sampeyre pass located at the junction of the old gun tracks. From there we contemplate the wild valley valley of the Maira, with its jagged skylines and gorges so deep that it is that it is difficult to see our destination below, at the foot below, at the foot of the longest descent of our trip, a jewel to the longest descent of our trip, a jewel to be savoured at snack time under the lights of the end of the day Night in a 3* hotel
Only 2 days and already what an epic! Where are we, what else does what else is in store for us this day ??? Well, a good trail, my friend, but this time more rolling on the way up and more flow on the way down. with even more flow on the way down. Fun at each level of vegetation vegetation, something that engages for the energetic, something that rests for the for those who like contemplation breaks. A well-deserved pasta dish, digestive transfer by minibus, and we're off to the heights of Val Grana on the heights of Val Grana before turning south towards the towards the Valle Stura. A real tumble awaits us, which can even be extended with a few turns of the pedals to get to the a few turns of the pedals to find the old military military trails... Night in a 3* hotel
The Valle Stura doesn't look like much, but for those who like big and well-marked paths, this is the place to be. where it happens. A large community of riders, a good spirit and and great local initiatives for years make this enduro stronghold a well kept secret that we are happy to share... Last mountain trip in Italy on one of the most beautiful itinerary of the sector! A big loop in the direction of the Vinadio pass and the impressive Nereissa pass under the Mont Autes is necessary to the previous day's meal at Bartholo's! The descents downhill, we take the time for a last pasta party before taking the the road towards Guillestre...but as we pass the Vars pass and for those who Vars pass and for those who wish to do so, note that there are 1700m and 15 kms of downhill on a perfectly marked trail are possible. trail that can be done. Is it really necessary to ask?
FURTHER TRAINING = Services focused on learning and riding techniques. In a course format with half-day teaching modules or in a stay format with often a half-day of improvement (depending on level) in the morning and hiking in the afternoon to enjoy the mountain. Mainly in the Guillestrois Queyras
DISCOVERY = Easy to moderate level tours that encourage contemplation and explanations of the natural and cultural heritage, where the difference in altitude is moderate, the risk of falling and the technical requirements are low. In star or itinerant form, in France or in the Italian Piedmont
ALL MOUNTAIN = Mountain oriented trips where the pleasure of pedalling and climbing takes on its full dimension. For those who already have a minimum of technical knowledge in both climbing and descending, who obviously like the adrenalin and technicality of single descents but who are more interested in contemplating the high altitude landscapes rather than accumulating descents at all costs
ENDURO = Still in the high mountains on shared or dedicated routes, with a clear focus on descent rather than contemplation. We still pedal but this time we increase the ratio with a morning shuttle to reach between 1200 to 1500m of D+ and 2500m of D-. Protective gear is highly recommended and respect for other mountain users is mandatory.
SHUTTLE ENDURO = Clearly for downhillers who are looking for adrenaline and the technicality of the descent on trails dedicated to this practice as much as possible. The ratio is increased here with logistical support throughout the day to reach 1000m of D+ on the way up and 3000m of D-. Protection is strongly recommended and respect for other mountain users is mandatory.
TECHNICAL LEVELS :
BEGINNER = You do not yet master the basic techniques of mountain biking (balance, gear shifting, braking, maintaining your trajectories on narrow trails...) and going into the mountains scares you but you want to brave your limits.
INTERMEDIATE = You are comfortable on your bike even on narrow single tracks but many mistakes persist. You don't mind riding in the mountains, but getting into tight corners, steep slopes or rocky-rooty trails can make you worry if it goes on too long. Long, intense rides take a lot of energy and concentration and can increase the risk of falling as the day progresses.
CONFIRMED = You are able to control your bike in the mountains whatever the terrain (crossings, hairpins, roots, rocks, steep climbs and descents, singletracks) and you are able to keep all your lucidity even on long days. You still have room to improve your style, performance and riding fluidity...
EXPERT = You have full control of your bike in all situations and you are autonomous in the mountains. You are able to keep up with the pace, even on long days with 2 batteries for example. The guide may find it difficult to keep up with you.... But he knows the paths not to be missed and allows you not to worry about the route, so trust him!
PHYSICAL LEVELS :
COOL = Throughout your stay you will cycle on wide tracks that lend themselves to contemplation, the pace is not very fast, although you will obviously have to pedal to make the bike move on mountain terrain. These are our "beginners" trips and outings, of easy level. Ideal for a first approach to electric mountain biking, for those who want an active holiday but have little opportunity to do sport on a daily basis
MODERATE = You are a more regular daily rider and enjoy challenging yourself, even if it means getting into the red sometimes. The pace of cycling and the trip remains cool and contemplative, but can include many steeper sections and longer climbs that you obviously have to endure physically and mentally to enjoy the cycling experience. Easy itineraries, Discovery mountain star trips or intermediate All Mountain trips are more likely to be found in this category
SPORTSMAN = Sport is your daily routine and sweating profusely is almost a goal of the day for you. Sometimes steep climbs that require good calves and big thighs, varied pedalling rates, relaunching, linking up with descents..., all the while keeping your wits about you of course! Many of our All Mountain Enduro trips take place at this pace
INTENSE = You have "the body" as we say back home, and the muscle tone and concentration capacity to withstand long distances and a series of terrains. So we go riding from morning to night, until we run out of two batteries if necessary. Good luck!
You will ride in small groups (Minimum 3 people - Maximum 8 people, or 7 people for enduro trips with logistical support)
More pleasant, easier to discuss together, less inertia, easier for the guide to give precious advice and to adapt to the level of the group, ... less technical incidents too... In short, all advantages!
Our tours are therefore calculated with the aim of keeping them "insured" with 3 people in the Queyras, 4 people outside and during the itineraries, while keeping the number of people reduced.
Since the beginning we have worked closely with the hosts you will be staying with.
Cycling reception is improving year by year in the Queyras and the Hautes Alpes in general. In Italy, things are often already well in place
Although the "dormitory" or "3* hotel" formulas are possible to better fit the budget and expectations of everyone, we have chosen to build our stays as we would like to experience them.
Most of the time in "Gîte tout confort" formula, rooms to share (3-4 persons max) with sanitary facilities in the rooms.
For the itineraries, it is sometimes a bit more complex and we try to find the right balance between comfort, conviviality, good food without compromising the quality of the itinerary.
In order to develop this activity seriously and to offer a quality service at every stage, we have established a real cycle shop at the gates of the Queyras, in Eygliers.
We have several 9-seater vehicles and approved trailers, suitable for transporting ATVs.
The drivers are often guides or mechanics who are used to working together, which ensures a good flow, a good atmosphere and brings an extra service in the package when the bike needs to be repaired
Picnic buffets, refreshments based on local products, elaborate meals, etc. are also possible during incentive days or itinerant trips
We therefore have complete control over the logistical and material aspects. This makes all the difference in the field and is a real guarantee of quality and reactivity for you
On foot, by bike (with or without batteries) or with the bike on our backs... , All of us have travelled the length and breadth of the Guillestrois Queyras and the Piedmont over the last 15 years.
With an eye for detail, we have taken the time to design unique routes through our various programmes, so that they can be adapted to each type of practice, to each level, to each type of audience. This is a long-term project that is now bearing fruit.
By working with local guides, each in their own way, they are able to adjust the routes in real time in order to offer you theperfect sequence that will match the level and expectations of the group
Copyrights GUIL-EBIKE 2023