Bourg Saint Maurice is located in the Tarentaise valley in the northern Alps, close to the Italian border. My base is the Huttopia campsite, located just outside the center on the road leading to Tignes. It is the base of many professional teams during a high-altitude stage in the mountains. I am traveling for two weeks and would like to share with you a series about the most beautiful routes in this region. My base is Bourg Saint Maurice; from there you can easily go cycling! Robbert explains in three parts which routes are really worth your time.
Stay at the campsite – Huttopia Bourg Saint Maurice
Camping Huttopia It is a small, friendly campsite with chalets, rental tents, camper pitches and camping sites. The campsite is mainly visited by mountain sports enthusiasts and cyclists, because it is the perfect location to explore the mountains. And there are quite a few of them. From the campsite you can climb illustrious cols in no time, such as Cormet de Roselend, Peisey Nancroix and the Petite Saint Bernard. In addition, there is a large supermarket 100 meters away, the center of Bourg Saint Maurice (BSM) is within walking distance and you are in the shortest time at the funicular (train) that transports hikers to the mountain sports village Les Arcs for free (and mountain bikers including bicycles for a fee). In short; a perfect location for a short bike tour or a longer vacation in a beautiful environment.
Superior bike at your service
During my stay in Bourg Saint Maurice, I had a Superior Road GF at my disposal. A wonderful all-round bike that is equipped with SRAM Rival and Fast Forward Tyro wheels with a tire width of 45 millimeters. A perfect bike to conquer the mountains. Want to know more about this awesome bike? Then read on our partner platform CyclingReview review of this beautiful racehorse.
Tarentaise Valley
To get used to mountain biking and get my climbing legs back in shape, my first trip is mostly flat. I leave the village and take the ‘voie verte’ (cycle path) along the Tarentaise river. A fast-flowing river that is mainly used for kayaking and rafting. After 12 flat kilometers, there is a small pond along the river. It’s probably too early to stop for a cup of coffee, so I might do that on the way back. In La Plagne (you know, the one from Boogerd in 2002), I turn right into the mountains, towards the village of La Côte d’Aime. The first serious climb of the day. A steep climb of just over 4 kilometers with an average of 7.3%. Since it is also quite warm, the climb feels a little heavier. Once I reach the top, I grab a cola at a bar, and then drive back over the mountain pass to Bourg Saint Maurice.
Peisey Nancroix
From BSM I cycle back into the Tarentaise Valley. Where I previously followed the bike path along the river, I now take the larger road next to the bike path. This goes slightly uphill to the town of Landry, from where the serious work begins. The section to Peisey is 5.6 kilometers and winds through a forest and up through a number of hairpin bends. It is also quite steep with an average gradient of 7.7%. After the village of Peisey, a vast mountain landscape unfolds. It is still about 4 kilometers to the end of the road in Rosuel. A road that ends at a parking lot where mountain hikers take over the trails. This is truly masterful cycling; constant views of massive mountains with snow on the top. It’s not really stylish either, so you can actually enjoy the surroundings around you non-stop. On the left is a mountain meadow, on the right a waterfall, in front of you snowy peaks and large birds of prey circling in the clear blue sky in search of food. A climb like this is truly a shame that the road ends. After a short break and a little more time to enjoy the view, I pick up my Superior The weather is changing and you can start to enjoy the descent. It's 11 kilometers down the mountain. Cycling is no longer a hassle, just full focus on the road, traffic, turning and accelerating again.
Bourg Saint Maurice cycling routes
Below you can find the routes that Robbert rode around Bourg Saint Maurice
Questions & tips
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