MTB Trail Map Serre Chevalier — Overview of Trails & Sectors
The Serre Chevalier trail network covers over 300km of marked routes across four villages and multiple altitude bands. The official trail map is free at rental shops and the tourist office. This page gives you an orientation of the key sectors before you arrive.
Valley Structure and Sectors
The valley runs east to west, with Briançon at the east end and Monêtier-les-Bains at the west. The trail network is divided by altitude — 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 at Chantemerle. Gondola-accessed, all difficulties.
- Écrins National Park boundary. Accessible from upper lifts.
Key Trails and Descents
Notable trails in the network. Difficulty grades follow the French colour system.
- Route du Soleil. Long red descent returning to Villeneuve, one of the classics.
- 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 for experienced riders.
- Valley link trail. Green, connects all villages without altitude gain.
Picking Up the Map
The official trail map is free and available across the valley. Don't 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 offices in Briançon, Chantemerle, and Villeneuve.
- Gondola base in Chantemerle — pick one up on arrival.
- Serre Chevalier tourism website — downloadable PDF version.
- QR codes on trail signs link to the digital version.
Trail Conditions Through the Season
Conditions vary significantly depending on the time of year. 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. Dry and fast, all trails open.
- August. Peak condition, some dust on well-used routes.
- September. Best conditions of the season, dry and tacky.
- After heavy rain. Avoid high-alpine routes for 24–48 hours.
Trail Etiquette
- Yield to uphill riders on shared trails.
- Call ahead before overtaking on descents.
- Stay on marked trails — off-trail riding causes erosion.
- Don't skid corners — it destroys the surface.
- Bins are not on the trail network — pack out what you bring in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get an MTB trail map for Serre Chevalier?
Free from rental shops, the tourist office in Briançon and Chantemerle, and at the gondola base. A digital version is on the Serre Chevalier tourism website. Pick one up before heading out — the network is large and phone signal is limited in some areas.
How many MTB trails does Serre Chevalier have?
Over 300km of marked trails across all difficulty levels. The bike park at Chantemerle has 25 dedicated descents. Beyond the park, the trail network extends across the full valley and into the Écrins National Park.
Are the trails in Serre Chevalier maintained?
The main valley trails and bike park runs are maintained by the resort and are in good condition through the season. 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 surface quality.