Tour du Mont Blanc on Ebike

At the end of October, when the trails are quiet, the mountain huts are closed, and winter is already knocking at the door, it’s the perfect time to tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc: a complete circumnavigation of the White Giant in search of the most beautiful eMTB trails. Perfectly damp terrain, crisp alpine air, and endless mountain landscapes characterize most of the journey, with the occasional patch of snow reminding us that the mountains always hold some challenge in store. What began as an idea between two longtime friends and mountain bike guides has become a shared adventure across three countries—Switzerland, Italy, and France—marked by teamwork, solitude, focus, and trust. From Alpine passes above 2,500 meters to flowing trails and technical descents through the woods, this journey goes beyond distance or elevation gain. It’s about pristine landscapes, moments of tranquility, true camaraderie, and the privilege of riding off-season.

My rear wheel sinks into the perfectly moist soil; the knobs bite with confidence and grip. The air is crisp, the ground alive beneath the tires. Somewhere between snow-covered fields and drifting clouds at 2,500 meters above sea level, I realize that riding at this altitude in late October might have been a risk, but it is also a privilege. Most of the trails are in excellent condition; only a few patches of snow remind me that the mountains always hold some challenge. This is precisely what makes this adventure unforgettable: pristine landscapes, silent solitude, and the kind of memories that arise only from embracing the unexpected.

The four of us started this journey two days ago. We’re like a team on a mission. Yet there are these moments of stillness, solitude, doubt, and focus. I climb the final few meters of elevation, reach the pass, and suddenly our team is together again. The idea came from my friend Massimo, better known as “Bubba,” to tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc in four days. A clockwise circumnavigation around the White Giant, in search of the most beautiful trails for eMTBs. At the end of the season, when the hikers have left, the huts are closed, and we finally have time for ourselves. Bubba and I are mountain bike guides during the summer and take guests on these trails. But now the mountain is all ours to explore.

Our friendship dates back 15 years. We met during a cycling trip in Aosta, Italy. Since then, many projects have followed, especially in the Aosta Valley, Bubba’s home and one of my absolute favorite places to ride. This time, however, our scope is a bit broader, and we’ll be crossing borders. Our adventure begins in Switzerland, in the beautiful Val Ferret. Joining us are Andrea, our photographer from Aosta, and Ace, a filmmaker, mountain guide, and resident of Courmayeur. As we leave La Fouly, the sun is shining and the temperature is 8 °C. A couple of days earlier, a winter storm nearly ruined our plans. Now we have a brief window of good weather before the bad weather returns, which means every day counts.

The first ascent starts off easy on a forest road. As we gain elevation, the terrain becomes more challenging, and we get our first taste of the amount of snow we’ll have to contend with. The final meters up to the Grand Col Ferret—technical, slippery, and demanding—require maximum concentration. At the top, we high-five and seek shelter from the wind. All around us, everything is white. The fresh snow has transported us into a fairytale winter landscape, even though it’s only October. The trails are mostly clear, icy in the morning, soft at noon—constantly changing.

To our right, the Grandes Jorasses tower above us. Ahead of us, a panoramic trail stretches like a balcony along the opposite slope of the Mont Blanc massif, descending deep into the Val Ferret toward the town of Courmayeur. This is Ace’s playground. He shows us the trails he skis in winter. To me, it looks more like terrain for mountain goats; it’s hard to imagine skiing down these gullies. The final trail offers pure flow before we enter the mountain’s shadow and head toward our hotel, a hot shower, and a tasty raclette. All in all, a perfect day.

The next morning, we wake up to a view of the Mont Blanc glacier and continue our journey toward the stunning Val Veny, passing spectacular rock formations and terminal moraines that until recently were covered in glacial ice. Mont Blanc is a constant presence, with its enormous icy crevasses glistening in the sun. We ride comfortably along a forest road, then turn left at the Elisabetta Refuge. What was an easy climb turns into a proper trail, which becomes more technical toward the summit. The landscape opens up; steep inclines alternate with rocky sections. Turbo mode helps me, and once again, I’m glad to be on my Scott Patron E-Bike. Finally reaching the Col de la Seigne (2,512 m), we cross the border into France. What follows is a trail at its best: high speed, endless space, no one in sight. Just us and our bikes: every mountain biker’s dream. And if Andrea and Ace hadn’t suddenly pulled over to stop and take some photos, Bubba and I probably wouldn’t have stopped until we reached the valley floor, grinning from ear to ear.

Next stop: Cormet de Roselend. With the view of the idyllic lake, we recharge our batteries—both physically and electrically. Tomorrow’s stage will be challenging, with the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de Voza, two demanding Alpine passes, on the agenda. As a reward, we’ll then descend along the trails of the legendary enduro mecca Les Houches, straight into the Chamonix valley. Just a few meters along the bike path and we’re in the cradle of modern mountaineering. Chamonix is bustling, full of outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. We cross the pedestrian zone and soak up the atmosphere. Here you’ll find the best hotels to stay at, if you’d like.

After a while, however, our gaze shifts upward. There it is again: Mont Blanc, this time viewed from the imposing north face, with the Aiguille du Midi glistening in the last light of evening. We’ll start the final leg soon. From Chamonix, we’ll cycle toward Argentière. Smooth trails along the river make our approach to Le Tour a breeze. Once we arrive, we have to improvise because in the summer the cable car is open to cyclists, but now it’s off-season. It’s time to save battery power and use the strength of our legs to climb steadily up the gravel path, past the bike park, all the way to the Col de Balme. At the top, we’re greeted once again by the wind and the cold. One downside of riding at this time of year is that all the mountain huts are closed. We take a short break: a few bites of our sandwiches, an extra layer of clothing, then Bubba introduces his “special descent.”

It looks very promising on the map. The entrance is a bit rutted from the rain, but rideable. After that, kilometer after kilometer, the most beautiful route unfolds. And for the grand finale, just before Trient, a real gem: steep switchbacks in the forest with massive roots, the blackest of black trails on Trailforks. But we’re lucky. The ground is dry, and we have maximum traction. Once we’ve gotten used to the more technical terrain, even this section becomes pure fun. The cameras are put away: no more photos or videos, just pure riding. We try to outdo each other on the inside line, with laughter echoing through the group. The descent is long, and our arms are sore as we emerge from the forest about 1,000 vertical meters later, back in Switzerland.

Text: Holger Meyer

For overnight stays in mountain huts, click on the corresponding icon on the map.

The tour can also be done with guides from Aosta Freeride