MTB Trail Map Serre Chevalier — Overview of Trails & Sectors

The Serre Chevalier trail network covers over 300km of marked routes spread across four villages and multiple altitude sectors. The official trail map is available at rental shops and the tourist office. This page gives you an orientation of the key sectors and what each offers before you arrive.

Valley Structure and Sectors

The valley runs roughly east to west, with Briançon at the east end and Monêtier-les-Bains at the west. The trail network is divided into altitude bands — valley floor routes, mid-mountain singletrack, and high-alpine routes above 2,000m. Most riders spend their time in the mid-mountain band, which has the best density of interesting singletrack.

• Valley floor (1,200–1,400m) — green routes linking all four villages
• Mid-mountain (1,400–2,000m) — main trail network, mix of blue, red, and black
• High-alpine (2,000–2,800m) — demanding routes, some requiring navigation
• Bike park sector (Chantemerle) — gondola-accessed, all difficulties
• Écrins National Park boundary — accessible from upper lifts

Key Trails and Descents

A selection of the most notable trails in the network. Difficulty grades follow the standard French colour system.

• Route du Soleil — long red descent returning to Villeneuve, classic valley trail
• Combes de la Selle — technical red with alpine scenery above Chantemerle
• Bergerie descent — flowing blue, good for building speed and confidence
• Casse du Boeuf sector — demanding red and black lines, experienced riders
• Valley link trail — green, connects all villages without altitude gain

Getting the Trail Map

The official Serre Chevalier trail map is free and available at multiple points across the valley. Do not rely solely on GPS apps for trails above 2,000m — the map gives context that apps miss.

• Rental shops — ask on collection, most give them free
• Tourist office in Briançon, Chantemerle, and Villeneuve
• Gondola base in Chantemerle — pick up on arrival
• Serre Chevalier tourism website — downloadable PDF version
• QR code on trail signs links to the digital version

Trail Conditions and Maintenance

Trail conditions vary significantly through the season. For current conditions, the weather and conditions guide covers what to expect month by month.

• Late June — trails opening after snowmelt, some mud on north-facing slopes
• July — trails in good condition, dry and fast
• August — peak condition, all trails open, some dust on well-used routes
• September — best conditions of the season — dry, tacky, quieter
• After heavy rain — avoid high-alpine routes for 24–48 hours

Trail Etiquette

A few basics that keep the network enjoyable for everyone.

• Yield to uphill riders on shared trails
• Warn before overtaking — call ahead on descents
• Stay on marked trails — erosion off-trail damages the mountain
• Do not skid into corners — destroys trail surface and causes erosion
• Pack out any litter — bins are not on the trail network

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get an MTB trail map for Serre Chevalier?

Trail maps are available free from rental shops, the tourist office in Briançon and Chantemerle, and at the gondola base. A digital version is available on the Serre Chevalier tourism website. Pick one up before you head out — the network is large and some areas have limited phone signal.

How many MTB trails does Serre Chevalier have?

The marked network covers over 300km of trails across all difficulty levels. The bike park sector at Chantemerle has 25+ dedicated descents. Outside the park, the trail network extends across the full valley and into the surrounding national park.

Are the trails in Serre Chevalier well-maintained?

Generally yes. The main valley trails and bike park runs are maintained by the resort. The high-alpine and national park boundary trails see less maintenance and can be rougher after bad weather. September is typically the best month for trail condition across the network.