UKH

Hi, I’m going to be in Europe with my mountain bike in August. Can anyone suggest venues with waymarked trails similar to uk trail centres. Pure downhill is not my thing but I’m not averse to some uplift. All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks 

Andy

In reply to birbeck:

Europe is quite a big place, tie it down a bit?

In reply to ChrisJD: Alps, but I’m open to any  suggestions within a couple of days drive from Calais. 

In reply to birbeck:

There’s hundreds round here in Switzerland. Most local councils will have set local routes and there’s some longer tours too. Marked similar to footpaths with signs every turning.

In reply to birbeck: Hi Andy,

I've done a couple of trips to Tignes over the last couple of summers and there's a good range of stuff there from the downhill through to very enjoyable all mountain and cross country routes, there's a range of grades but majority of it was pretty accessible. They were doing free lift passes as well so the lift assist approach could work to getting a fair bit of trail.
Also when we were there accomodation was pretty cheap at 25 euros a night for a tiny ski appartment for four.

 

In reply to chiroshi:

Anywhere you would particularly recommend?

In reply to tkchips:

Cheers, looks good!

In reply to birbeck:

Les Portes du Soleil around Chatel is pretty good. You can get a lift pass and do a huge loop through Switzerland and back to France.

http://en.portesdusoleil.com/summer/piste-maps.html

not to be confused with the Chemins du Soleil which are point to point routes across the Alps. Very good but requires a bit more organisation as they are not loops.

http://www.moveyouralps.com/chemins-du-soleil/

Also lots of routes in the Alpes de Haute Provence where the weather is a bit more reliable than in Savoie (although it can be hot in August)

http://www.vtt.alpes-haute-provence.fr/

HTH

A.-

 

In reply to birbeck:

This is a decent map. 

https://map.veloland.ch

I love the Gstaad/Bern area for rolling hills with big imposing cliffs, Valais if you really want to feel like you’re in the Alps. I would also second Portes du soleil as a beautiful area.