Mountain biking spot: 5 not-to-miss routes around Lake Bourget
The largest natural lake in France with a length of 18 km, Lac du Bourget is surrounded by the Epines, Mont-du-Châte, Chambot, Mont-Révar and Le Bogue mountains. Praised by the greatest poets, this lake offers nautical and nautical fun in water that can reach 26 ° C in summer. It offers shimmering and romantic shores in Aix-les-Bains. On the other hand, from Bourget du Lac, the wild coastline runs alongside the wooded mountains of the Dent du Châte. In the north, along the Savier Canal, you will discover Shotanj, its hills and poplar grove. In the south, we succumb to the charm of Bourget du Lac and Chambery, a city of art and history. From the shores of the lake to the Chambot and Mont Révar mountains, a variety of landscapes are offered to visitors.
Lake Bourget is of great ecological interest and is an important element of the French natural heritage. Between the Prealps and the high mountains, it is home to a large number of fish and bird species, and for some it is the main refuge in their migration corridor.
Thanks to the colossal reservoir, on the one hand, rocks and limestone slabs in the immediate vicinity, on the other hand, the climatic conditions are softened. As a result, in some places the climate is almost Provencal, which allows some Mediterranean plant and animal species to flourish. We can admire the Montpellier maple, fig tree, boxwood, maple with obier leaves, pubescent oak and Venus hair (small ferns).
Cycling and mountain biking are practiced throughout the area, cycling around the lake, many low-difficulty routes in Chahotany, a green road connecting Bourget du Lac with Chambery, many passes with wonderful viewpoints and over 180 km of mountain trails. bicycles on the Revard Plateau.
MTB routes not to be missed
Our selection of the most beautiful mountain biking trails in the area. Be careful to make sure they are appropriate for your level.
Descent of Rewar
It is impossible to ignore the former descent of the Rando Gaz de France from Revard to Lac du Bourget. On the bus, in excellent conditions and for a few euros, you can hop on a dozen bicycles and drop you off at the beginning of the descent. Once at the summit, you will be offered over 25 km of descent at 1 m negative elevation to the lake. There are no particular difficulties to report. The trail is for all healthy mountain bikers, equipped with a bike in good condition and knowing how to recognize their rear brake as front ... This is a good preparation for a marathon descent and very easy access by bus allows you to train in optimal conditions.
Descent from the Pertuise pass to the Aix-les-Bains beach.
Much more difficult than the Gaz de France descent, starting from the summit of Révar at 1 m to Aix-les-Bains at 538 m. You will pass through the Révar plateau and cross the Col du Pertuise (235 m). The route follows a rather incredible mountain slope and goes down very narrow hairpins and downhill. The impregnated Revard Limestone does not provide adhesion, which further complicates the task. At first, a small crossing, after which we find ourselves in the magnificent forest single tracks. When you arrive at Mouxy, the mountain is tired of imposing its verticality and the descent is much steeper and steeper.
On Chamboth: Sapin – Clerjon
From Saint-Germain-la-Chambot we climb gently to the Chambaut pass, then a long forest path leads us to the village of Sessens. After a few turns along the road (1 km) we arrive at the small chapel of Sapeney, where you have to follow the path behind the chapel. Three steep paths lead to a beautiful path through the forest and then to the last attempt to reach the top of Mount Sapene. Having crossed the plateau, we pass to the side of Shautan (west). A quick descent through the fields brings us to the village of Granges. Let's climb a few kilometers to get to Rojuks village. Loop to reach the highest point on the Croix du Clergeon and we begin the return. After a beautiful solo passage under the boxwood, you will need to press the pedals again to find the Sapeney forest road. After we have circled the rocks of Sapeney with its various paragliding platforms, a magnificent descent under the forest brings us with surprise to the viewpoint on Lake Bourget with the Belledon chain in the background. We return to the Sapenai Chapel and make one last attempt to reach the ruins of Caesar's Towers. It remains only to go down the technical trail, then along the forest trail, which will lead us back to Chambaut and then to Saint-Germain. Phew!
Mix trope on the Revar plateau
Leaving the Crolles car park, we head towards the cross-country skiing or snowshoeing trails. We follow a small path that will lead us to the Saint François foyer. After passing through the Creusates bog with a beautiful view, we will climb to the Trois Croix cliff. The track is wide, but sometimes it is cut by skidders. We then drive the beautiful single track route to Chapeyron, which joins the wide track. In Creux Froid, instead of following the track, we take a small, somewhat technical path that leads us to the summer roller / biathlon track of La Fekla. Then we ascend to Révar along the paths to the Corniche, from where a magnificent view of Lake Bourget opens up. Arriving at the farm, we go out to the meadow and follow the path that takes us down the Revard to the kennel house, the starting point for hikes with sled dogs. We safely return to the Crolles car park following the mountain bike markings.
Shautan Poplar Grove
Walk through the Shautan poplar grove, sometimes along the Rhone. On the hike, discover alder and willow without forgetting the local flora and fauna. Planted in the 1930s, 740 hectares of trees have taken root over the years. The Shautan poplar grove, considered one of the largest in Europe, acts as a natural regulator. Chosen for their greed for water, poplars help regulate the level of the Shotani swamps and thus limit the risk of flooding caused by the nearby Rhone. Ideal for families, but be careful during the hunting season, beatings are organized regularly and some trails become impassable after heavy rains.
To see or do absolutely
Several places worth visiting if you have time.
Hautecombe Abbey
In a XNUMXth century Cistercian abbey with Gothic architecture, Otcombe is the necropolis of the Princes of Savoy. Abbey website
Pedestrian bridges Revard
Opposite Mont Blanc and the Alps, below is the largest lake in France: here is the view that opens up to you at the top of Mont Révar. Pedestrian bridges leading into the void were erected, as well as a glass pedestrian bridge over the cliff.
Casino Aix-les-Bains
The ceilings at Casino d'Aix les Bains are gorgeous, admission is free, a must see!
To taste in the surroundings
Foliant bauges
Tome des Bauges is part of the Savoie family of quality (PDO or IGP) cheeses from Abondance, Beaufort, Chevrotin, Emmental de Savoie, Reblochon and Tomme de Savoie.
Shignin-Bergeron
Cru Chignen Bergeron, located at the foot of the Bog and Savoyard mountains, enjoys exceptional conditions. The exposure from south to southeast, protection from the northerly winds thanks to the mountains, steep slopes, limestone soil, all these criteria allow the production of an exceptional white wine, competing with great wines. French white. Fruit wine by color: pale yellow, shiny, golden, with aromas of apricot, mango, hawthorn, acacia and almond, it exudes good amplitude in the mouth, fat is always balanced by a sharp frame that lends length
Craft beer from brasserie des cîmes
It is located in the heart of the Alps in Aix-les-Bains. It is in this exceptional atmosphere that Brasserie des Cimes craft beer is brewed and produced according to exclusive recipes. Brasserie des cîmes
Accomodation
