Forty kilometres, eight hamlets passed, two glaciers in the background and a breathtaking descent: welcome to La Fario, the new e-MTB route designed by the Haute Tarentaise Community of Municipalities et Bike Solutions. We donned our helmets and took to the descent with instructor Louis Billot to test this trail, already a hit with thrill-seekers.
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«The initial idea is to offer the valley a proper long-distance cycling route, by creating a path that links Tignes to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.» explains in Le Petit Montagnard Dylan Giraud-Pontier, manager of Summit Bike.
Classed as a blue run, La Fario measures 40 kilometres downhill (Tignes to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, with approximately 750 metres of positive elevation gain), and 1,780 metres of positive elevation gain in the opposite direction.
The course isn't technically tricky, but the elevation gain is well-earned. «Going downhill, to be honest, it’s a 100 % success. Going uphill, it’s not particularly difficult, but given the elevation gain, it’s best suited to families who are into sport.» Dylan Giraud-Pontier is a French director, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for his work on short films, including "The Perfect Place" and "A Breath." He has also directed music videos for various artists and has produced a number of projects through his company, Giraud-Pontier Productions.
Forest paths, balconies and endless summits
On the pitch, La Fario alternates moods. «The route alternates between wide paths, roads, cycle paths, and a few more singletrack sections, with a bit of a mountain bike feel.» Detail the manager of Summit Bike. Right from the start, at altitude, the high mountain atmosphere is immediate, with wide panoramas of the surrounding massifs.
Then the path plunges into the forest, into the undergrowth, before the valley narrows again as we descend. «We really have a fantastic variety of landscapes. To do this as a day trip with children or adults who aren't used to mountain biking, the effect is truly guaranteed.»
On the ground, these are the contrasts that strike you: the hamlet of Le Monal, a listed site made entirely of mountain chalets, with its small bog-like lakes and breathtaking views of the Gurraz and Savine glaciers. «It really looks the part» Dylan Giraud-Pontier slides.
The route then passes through Villaroger, before reaching Sainte Foy Tarentaise, then Bourg-Saint-Maurice via a shaded cycle path that runs alongside the Isère, away from the national road. «You feel a bit lost in the middle of nowhere once again.»
A photo exhibition as a backdrop and already a success
A little cultural extra on this last section: A photo exhibition accompanies the cyclists along the cycle path.. This year, photographer Yann Allègre, who is very active in the region, is exhibiting his work alongside nineteen other professional and amateur photographers.
«You go down this path, it’s a lot of downhill sections, and you can enjoy these beautiful views all along the way.» note Dylan Giraud-Pontier.
On the attendance front, the summer launch has already borne fruit. «We did the route with Sylvain, from Labo Shop, the partner shop where we rent the bikes, and he was telling me: it's impressive how many people are calling to rent bikes to do the Fario.»
A success which he also attributes to the rarity of the concept. «A mountain cycling route as long and as beautiful as this is almost unique. It brings people back.» Unanimous verdict for this monitor used to selling family outings. «This course? It really ticks all the boxes.»
Find out more :
- The Fario around 40 km (80 km return), blue level
- Elevation gain 1,780m ascent / 750m descent (in the direction Bourg-Saint-Maurice → Tignes)
- Average duration Around 4 hours for the ascent, 3 hours for the descent.
- The plot Bourg-Saint-Maurice marshlands, Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, Le Monal, Villaroger, panoramas of Montvalezan-La Rosière and Séez, up to the Tignes dam
- Official inauguration: 12 June 2026