The Grande Traversée VTT L'Alpes-Provence begins on the Franco-Italian border, at the Col de Larche, a pass at 1 991m in altitude. On this first stage, you’ll be riding at over 2000m in altitude in the main, affording opportunities to enjoy magnificent views down on the valley, its slope-side summer meadows and its forests, plus the fortifications built along this frontier zone, including impressive Tournoux Fort. The village of Meyronnes marks the shift from south- to north-facing slopes, from meadows to forests. Enjoy the majesty of this mountain-biking trail through the midst of the French Alps.

Sticking to the valley bottom, this stage links up various villages and hamlets in the Ubaye Valley via quiet little roads. After Barcelonnette, the mountain-biking route mainly makes use of a railway track that was never completed but that was meant to link Chorges to Barcelonnette.

For mad mountain bike enthusiasts, this is a very beautiful mountain stage, including a long forest climb up to the Col Bas pass (2113m), then with parts characterized by summer pastures and high-altitude lakes. The reward after the climb is the long descent to Montclar via one of this resort’s year-round downhill pistes – be careful your brake pads don’t overheat!

The mountain-bike trail across the Blanche Valley offers a good mix, with technical trails, Saint Léger Lake to discover and the little hamlets of the Pays de Seyne area. Charcherie Forest provides a lovely, playful trail descending to the bottom of a little valley, a few kilometres later reaching the village of Verdaches. This concentrated mix of mountain-biking attractions proves a joy for riders who enjoy a good technical challenge.

The first part of this mountain-biking stage might be called the Hamlets Trail. Enjoy the descent after Boulard as a kind of aperitif before tackling the iconic otherworldly Terres Noires. These provide a testing challenge! The climbs and descents are technically demanding, only suitable for experienced mountain bikers. The end point takes you down to the bottom of the valley at Digne les Bains.

After all the mountains, enjoy a plain! A cycle track beside the Bléone River allows you to leave the town of Digne les Bains in gentle fashion. L'Alpes-Provence à VTT then continues on paths and trails, going via the hamlet of Gaubert and Les Lavandes Golf Course. After Mallemoisson, the mountain-biking route climbs to take you over a pass and into the Durance Valley. Follow the trail around the Lac de l'Escale to reach the town of Château Arnoux.

The mountain-biking centre, the Base VTT du Val de Durance, is reputed for its impressive network of single-track trails. You first cross the Massif des Bruyères (via a section set up to test your mountain biking skills) and, after 11th-century Saint Donat Chapel, enjoy an almost unbroken 15km-long single-track trail going via Tourdeaux’s summit, offering 360° panoramic views. Then continue on to the charming old-stone villages of Mallefougasse and Cruis.

This mountain-biking stage makes you take on Lure Mountain, climbing half way up it. After the Jas de Roche, a dry-stone shepherd’s barn typical of the area, follow the famed enduro descent of Lure Mountain as far as Saint-Etienne-les-Orgues. There’s another climb before you descend via single track to Les Mourres, a site to be savoured for its extraordinary rock formations, like giants’ faces. End by cycling into the centre of the town of Forcalquier.

Be aware that while the first half of this stage, up to Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire may not present any specific difficulties, it does involve a lot of steep ups and downs. The second half, mainly on trails and minor roads, allows you to look back over all the stages you’ve conquered so far, right back to those Alpine meadows and the Col de Larche pass, as you enjoy glimpses back on your mountain-biking trip along L' Alpes Provence.