Hiking and mountain biking in Savoie: where to go?

Exploring the finest hiking routes in Savoie

Savoie stands out for the diversity of its hiking trails, crossing forests, passes, valleys and high-altitude lakes. The flagship areas are Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and Méribel, but also Tignes and Val d’Isère, all in the Tarentaise. Each area has its own atmosphere, from the calm of the forests to the panoramas of the summits.

Among the well-known routes, the climb to Lac de la Plagne, for experienced walkers, starts from Rosuel, in Peisey-Nancroix, one of the gateways to the Vanoise National Park: a high-altitude lake at the foot of the peaks. In Méribel-Mottaret, the Plan de Tuéda and its lake, in a nature reserve, are ideal for a family walk. In Les Arcs, trails link the resort’s sites to one another and descend through the forest to the valley.

Thanks to IGN maps and the National Park’s recommendations, every walker can choose a suitable trail, from a valley loop to a high-altitude hike. Before you set off, ask the resort’s tourist office whether the routes are open.

The mountain bike areas: pistes, descents and electric mountain bikes

The Tarentaise is a benchmark area for mountain biking, with many marked routes. From Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and Arc 2000, Les Arcs offers a vast area of technical descents and panoramic trails reached via the ski lifts open in summer. From Vallandry, Peisey-Vallandry offers forest tracks and fun trails, while from Méribel Centre and Mottaret, Méribel appeals to enduro fans and lovers of panoramic routes along the ridges of the Tarentaise.

Depending on the resort, routes range from family cross-country to more committed descents. The electric mountain bike (e-MTB) lets you tackle the climbs more calmly, on marked routes open to bikes. Maps of the mountain bike areas are available from the tourist offices.

Downhill mountain bike fans will enjoy the technical, sporty routes of Tignes and Val d’Isère.

Please note: in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, mountain biking, electric included, is prohibited except on a few routes authorised by the Park, in order to protect the wildlife and plants. Mountain bike routes are found mainly in the resorts and in the valley: check the season’s mountain bike map for the starting points and the lifts open to bikes, and stick to marked circuits.

Choosing your route according to your level and the time you have

Savoie suits every profile thanks to a wide range of difficulty levels and durations, from the family trail to the sporty high-altitude loop. The choice of route depends on the elevation gain, the type of path (wide, stony, in the forest), the distance and the time available.

Our advice: for families, favour easy loops on the valley floor or in the forest. Fit walkers can turn to high-altitude routes. Those who like to explore can opt for an electric mountain bike route on the resorts’ marked trails.

Where to stay for setting off on foot or by bike: the best areas

Choosing your accommodation in Savoie depends on the type of stay you want: the size of the group, the proximity of the pistes or trails and the atmosphere you are after point towards an apartment or a chalet. Renting in Peisey-Vallandry means enjoying the valley’s hiking trails in summer, at the gates of the Vanoise National Park, with, on the Peisey-Nancroix side, an authentic village close to wide open natural spaces. Renting in Les Arcs means choosing a resort from which to set off, once summer comes, to discover the high-altitude trails and the mountain bike areas of the ski area. Renting in Méribel means staying in a chic atmosphere, in the heart of the Tarentaise.

Relaxation and well-being after the effort in the mountains

After a day’s hiking or mountain biking, Savoie invites you to relax and recover. For a moment of well-being, ask the tourist office about the relaxation areas open during your stay, in the resort or village. More ideas for recharging your batteries await you on our page Wellness and spa in summer.