Black Graded Mountain Bike Routes in the Chamonix Valley

Route No. 3, 4Km (Black)

This route is know as "les Planards" and is used during the Chamonix Mountain Bike Race. Competitors cycle continuously up hill and the competitor who gets the highest on the "Monstre
Dune", (The Monster Mound) wins. You start this this route at the chair lift station at "Piste de luge d'Ete des Planards". Pass the station the track goes through a clearing in the forest. Keep going straight on (don't go up on the right) until the four-wheel-drive track goes under the "Montenvets" railway. From there it goes sharply up hill, zig-zagging five times before it eases off a little. A big sweep right and then back left brings you into a clearing. After crossing a river, the track heads back into the forest and steps right and left again gaining more height. The second steep section now zig-zags six times before easing out on the "Chemin Sortie Vallee Blanche". After one and a half kilometres of relatively easy up hill peddling, the track finishes. The path in front takes you to a height of 1638m on the "Rouchers des Mottets". This gives you a good view of the magnificent “Mer de Glace", before you turn around for an outstanding return.

Route No. 10, (Black)

This route starts at The village of "Le Tour" standing at 1453m . Make your way to the telecabine station and gain the four-wheel-drive track to the right of the station. Zig zag up hill passing under the cable car several times. Continue passed the "Charamillon" station standing at 1912m. Keep on the track, passing by the teleski station, then take the trail on your right. This trail that is part of the "Tour du Mont-Blanc" will take you to the "Col de Balme" at 2191m. Take the lower trail on your left, heading towards the "Col des Posettes" at 1997m. From here you can descend down to "Vallorcine" at 1260m, or head back down to the telecabine access track.

Route No. 11, (Black)

Starting at the village of "Argentière", you head over to the telepherique station and gain the fourwheel-drive track. Pass a tunnel on your right and then a helistation. After a kilometre the track takes a sharp right at a height of 1380m and then sweeps back in a big arc. The track starts to zigzag now and at a height of 1752m it veers right. A last push takes you up to "la Croix de Logan" telepherique station standing at 1973m. The black route ends here, but you can now join a red route taking you up to "Entrees de glacries" at 2168m. This point is two kilometres from the telepherique station and looks over the "Glacier d'Argentiere".

Route No. 12, (Black)

This route starts at the Golf course. Gain the trail after you cross the river bridge behind the golf course. The trail steepens into a zig-zag until you reach a height of 1310m. You can now gain the
four-wheel-drive track heading right. At an easier pace you traverse the contours before you take a sharp left and right. You now sweep up hill five times before reaching a height of 1560m. Five more zig-zags and you traverse in a "U" shape to a height of 1742m. A final push takes you up to the "la Flegere" telepherique station at 1877m. For those who don't get on with up hill struggles, the telepherique can whisk you up to "la Flegere" station and you can then enjoy a mega down hill run.