Hi there. We're for Samoens for the first time this summer. Been to Les Gets, Morzine, Chamonix, Chatel etc several times. Can anyone recommend their favourite trails in Samoens? I'd especially like natural singletrack, which I hear Samoens has lots of.
samoens links to the flaine carroz (basically all of the massif central zone) should be loads to do, not cycled there but have ski'd a couple of times
Stayed in Les Gets a few years ago with the road bikes. Spent a day up the chair lift out of Samoens and picked up a trail map; there's loads up there. Shame I can't find the map for you. Try looking for it on the internet or try the Explore feature on connect.garmin.com.
Here is the lift details for the area:
Downhill trails are here:
http://summer.grand-massif.com/mountain-biking
Maps are here:
http://summer.grand-massif.com/summer-maps
We stayed at Samoens last year. Never really found the natural stuff. The main runs all seem to turn a bit extreme in places (one day there and we went to Les Gets with the family) although the red runs were great for me. We tried to hire a French guide in Sameons but they were all definitely DH orientated.
It's a monster road climb to the main ski station. A fair bit steeper than the Col Du Joux Plane.
Mmmmm, that's interesting. We quite often ride with my son who is 14. He's fine on the red runs in Les Gets/Chatel, but blacks would be too much, so that's good to know. Thanks.
Hi. The reds at Samoens were trickier than the reds at Le Gets.
If he's available, Martial at alpsmountainbike is based in Carroz & has superb knowledge of the natural trails in the area. Think Surrey Hills on steroids.
loads of good natural stuff to be found up there... could do a week out there without feeling the need to stray onto any black runs or "park-type" trails. Sorry I cant be more specific, but hopefully this helps somewhat
Ride up the road alongside the river Giffre and take the Vagnys chair up. ffrom there you can ascend by fire road (about 350m vertical) to a commune, for cheese and orangina before a nice singletrack descent down to Bout de Monde campsite.. from there you have trails back into town. This is a nice get your eye in ride
Descending from the top of the Joux Plane, down toward Verchaix (east along the valley from Samoens) there are some fantastic waymarked red trails... the bottom sections skirt peoples gardens and in the dry are sublime
A really big day out (but worth it) is to head down to Morillon, take the lifts up and head down to Les Carroz. from the top of the Carroz lift head straight on, with the station behind you and bear right towards a tarn visible on google earth as Alpage de L'Airon. From the tarn there's a wonderful singltrack traverse which eventually spits you out on the road above Flaine. If you go on a Tuesday or a Saturday the bubble up to the top of Flaine will be open. From there you have a single waymarked trail all the way down to Samoens. If the Flaine lift isnt open, head East, down towards Lac de Flaine. follow the trail along the northern shore, and you'll retrace your steps back to Les Carroz, from where you can work out routes back to Morillon.
there is a nice blue and a nice red down from Samoens 1600, I cant describe esxactly where, but they cross the road pass up from the main town at various points
I haven't been for a couple of years, but would love to get back out there... for me its perfect woodsy singletrack, quite like the UK, just twice as steep and 8 times as long
Good luck
Had a family holiday in Samoens - loved the place. Had a day riding there which I really enjoyed. The waymarked trails all point downhill but some have pedally bits. Trails felt less manmade than les gets etc and not as many big jumps / features. There would have been enough variety within the local area to keep me happy for a few days, without wanting to venture further afield.
Just booked For the 3rd year with Bike-Alp Sameons. Totally love it and loads of natrual stuff. We have a guide as you will never find all the hidden gems. It maybe worth emailing Steve at bike Alp (English guy)to see if you could join him for a day. The locally known trail called Chicken Run is amazing. Loads of natrual drops/gaps etc. we sometimes don't see anybody else all day. The bike shop opposite the lift should also be able to help and they speak very good English too.
What dates are you going?
Look up Bike Alp they run guided holidays in Samoens, photos and videos on Facebook.
I've done the ride down from Lac Joux Plan/Bourgeoise at top of Les Gets which is excellent and mixes in some of the VTT trails (paths) in Samoens but there is no lift that side and you need a taxi ride up from Samoens or ride the climb. The Samoens lift is on the other side of the valley. That route is described on here or I can send you a map. The view of Mont Blanc from top is outstanding on a clear day.
Been over a few times and written up a bit on it:
[url= http://www.chamonixbikeblog.com/2012/aye-grand-massif/ ]http://www.chamonixbikeblog.com/2012/aye-grand-massif/[/url]
[url= http://www.chamonixbikeblog.com/2013/proper-planning-prevents-long-climbs-grand-massif/ ]http://www.chamonixbikeblog.com/2013/proper-planning-prevents-long-climbs-grand-massif/[/url]
But there's far more to do than just on the blog. Careful for the opening days on the chairs if you're planning on linking through the various areas as they're not all open all the days....
The trail from the top of Flaine's lifts to Sixt is meant to be the pick of the bunch (freeridenick or Jambalaya might know more?) but you can't go too far wrong really.
Check out the French Enduro series videos too as they have a round a Samoens most years, it's the weekend of 30th June this year if you're out then, there'll be some fresh cut trails just after!
Megeve isn't too far away if you have a car and fancy a change.