La Vars-Embrun

From the peaks to the beach

Start your day at an altitude of 2,500 metres and finish it on the beach at Embrun, all without touching your car? It’s possible, thanks to the 32km of downhill mountain biking on the Vars-Embrun route!

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Mountain morning

Aprem' plage

Try out the not-to-be-missed downhill mountain biking: from Vars to Embrun, 32km between the summit of the Mayt and the shores of Lake Serre-Ponçon, with a 1,800m climb and a swim at the lake at the finish! The Vars-Embrun is your chance to enjoy all the best the Hautes-Alpes has to offer, in just one day.

Load your mountain bikes onto the bike racks on the chairlifts at La Mayt, your starting point. Before you set off, enjoy the view over the whole of the Vars area. On your descent, don’t skimp on panoramic breaks to enjoy the scenery all around you.

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Downhill with a view

The 32-kilometre Vars-Embrun route will give you the chance to discover all the charm of the Southern Alps. Starting at La Mayt, enjoy the 360° panoramic view over the resort of Vars, the Guillestrois valley and the most beautiful peaks in Ubaye. Once on the descent, you cross the Valbelle valley, known to skiers in winter as Clos Chardon. Once past this valley, the ski lifts are gone and the trail winds through the Saluces forest to the Col de la Coche. This shady section offers plenty of opportunities for a cool picnic break.

Once you reach the Col de la Coche, your descent takes on a whole new look, with a balcony view over the immense Serre-Ponçon lake and the Embrunais valley. This view will stay with you until you reach Embrun. Nearing the finish, you pass through the charming village of Saint-André d’Embrun, which will take you gently into town after this long descent through the forest. All that’s left is to let yourself roll gently down to the Embrun lake and enjoy the ride while you wait for your shuttle back to Vars.

Details of access to the Vars – Embrun route (lifts, opening periods and access conditions) are not yet available for this summer. They will be specified shortly.