European trip sugestions?

[MonkeySpacePilot]

So I have a week to spare in June, and I fancy a trip in Europe, but not in the high Alps.

Was thinking maybe Vosges France, or the Black forest in Germany, maybe even the maritime alps.

Does anyone know of any long distance routes in these areas, or any resources that could start me off patching a suitable route together?

ps. first post here, I use the pseudonym MSP on singletrackworld.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I enjoyed my time riding in the Massif Central region in France. You could easily work out a long distance route using some of the GR trails. There is a route that starts Clermont Ferrand (or there abouts) and goes to the Med' but it's mainly on road.

[gairym]

ooooh, right up my street!

not only do i live in france but i've also spent a lot of time researching long-distance off-road bikepacking routes in europe for a trip this summer.

give me half-an-hour to think and i'll post my thoughts.....

[gairym]

how far do you want to ride/how many days???

[gairym]

Ok, here are a few thoughts on possible routes:

1. Les Chemins du Soleil

Runs from Grenoble to Nice along the pre-Alps (nothing too high at all). Is around +400 miles long and I've ridden little snippets of it and there's some stunning riding.

Link to website

2. GR5

From Geneva to Nice following a route through the high Alps. +/-600 miles and typically great alpine trails.

Link to singletrack mag article

3. Rando des Souce

From Saint Etienne to Montpellier. 250ish miles through some of the most under-rated and under-used trails in France. Goes past my house and I'm actually planning on riding a section of it in June (probably 3-4 days) if you're looking for some company?

Link to parts 1, 2, 3 and 4

Any of these spark any interest?

Will keep thinking.....

[MonkeySpacePilot]

That "Les Chemins du Soleil" looks spot on, I think I am going to stay in Germany for June, for my first multi day trip, it makes sense to give myself some easy bailout options.

I found this route last night-

http://www.gps-tour.info/en/tracks/detail.64498.html

there seems to be a fair few routes on that site, a few transalps options as well, although it is a bit German centric for the descriptions, at least it has gpx files to download.

also found this route,

http://www.mountainbike-magazin.de/reis ... 6682.2.htm

the second day of which end a couple of kilometres from home, it looks like I could split the route into a series of weekends.


Then I think I might aim for that "Les Chemins du Soleil" in August, I feel a fantastic summer of bikepacking coming on, I just hope the weather and my legs match my ambitions.

[gairym]

Sounds like a plan!

So.....you're living in Germany (or maybe you're even German)?

I was in Freiburg last year and did a little walking in the hills around there and it seems like there'd be some mighty fine riding to be had!

Maybe take a look at this video I made which is partly ridden on bits of Les Chemins du Soleil (the 'hard' alternative route from Saillans) to give you a taste of the terrain.

But.....at some point some of 'you lot' have to get down here so that I can show-off just how amazing the riding is in the Ardeche.

Keep us up to date with your plans (so that I can see if it'll be worth my while popping over to sample some of those Greman trails).