Mountain biking

There is secure bike storage at Le Cret, and a cold water hose for bike washing next to the private car park area. The main supermarket Migros is close to the apartment for all your packed lunches and refreshments, and stocks a wide range of fresh produce.

Major tours

Main attractions are the annual Grand Raid during August each year and the Tour de Mont Fort during September which covers much of the Grand Raid route. The Grand Raid is considered to be the longest and most difficult mountain bike tour in the world. The tour from Verbier to Grimentz via Hérémence, Evolène, Thyon-les-Colons, Veysonnaz, Nendaz and La Tzoumaz leads through six valleys, is 131 kilometers long and has a 4600 metre difference in altitude. The highest point, Basset-de-Lona, is 2792 meters above sea level. Top physical fitness and perfectly fitting and functioning equipment are the basic preconditions for the successful completion of this "torture tour". The Grand Raid takes place this year on 22nd August.

The Tour de Mont Fort is 63.3km in length, ascends 2429m and descends 3277m, taking between 4:15 and 6:20 hours.  The itinerary is Haute Nendaz - Prarion - Tracouet - Sofleu - Siviez - Tortin - Gentianes - La Chaux - Les Ruinettes - Verbier - Savoleyres - La Tzoumaz - Le Drotse - Haute Nendaz.  The highest point of this trail is the Gentianes pass at 2894m.  Needless to say the scenery is spectacular!

Both the Easy Rider and Pro Rider versions (the latter for advanced riders) can be found at www.tdmf.ch.

In addition to this route, there are 8 other trails ranging from the relatively easy Pra da Dzeu which is 12.6km long, with an elevation difference of 410m, rising to 1720m and which takes between 1:00 - 1:30 hours.  This route is Haute Nendaz - La Peroua - Les Giettes - Pracondu - Pra da Dzeu - Prarenou - La Peroua - Haute Nendaz.  This route is a forest tour passing the ancient chalets of Prarenou and through the beautiful Pra da Dzeu meadows.

Several of these routes are not reliant on the lift system, so may be ridden throughout October - or indeed until the first snowfalls of the winter in November/December.

The other routes advance in physical and technical ability right up to the Pro Rider version of the Tour de Mont Fort.  The lift system of chairs and gondolas is open between late June and late September and bikes may be carried free of charge.  The daily lift pass for the entire domain (region) is only 15 Swiss Francs - or around £7 - until the 21st September.

Mountain bike route map

If you would like to familiarize yourself with the area before you arrive we have provided a mountain bike route map in PDF format below.

Click the image below to view the map on your screen.  To save the map to your computer, right-click the image below and then choose Save Target (or Link) As...

To view the PDF you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you find that you cannot view the map, use the image below to visit Adobe's website and install Acrobat Reader, then come back here when you're done!