[Closed] Easy/not steep singletrack trails around Ailefroide?

I seem to remember pretty good info on trails in the tourist info and also signposting.

There are some really nice tracks coming down from Chambran to Pelvoux, and from Les Tetes to Puy St Vincent. The track down from Ailefroide beside the river is fun, but not easy. I found a combination of the tourist routes with some exploring using the IGN maps, plus a bit of YouTube searching can turn up some real gems. It's also worth looking in the surrounding area, the Queyras and Claree are both beautiful with lots of natural tracks. Never used the uplifts in the area, but the one at Abries would give some sweet singletrack to explore. We did the Collete du Gilly without uplift and the climb was brutal. Just the general nature of the landscape usually means that double track / fire roads is the best way up and much of the singletrack down is steep and loose, but you soon get used to it. Enjoy. Just remember the national park is out of bounds to MTBs.

Drive up the road to Briancon. It's ace around there. Strava/trailforks etc will show you some good natural stuff.

Thanks all!

There's a fun run from Ailefroide down to Les Claux, east side of the river. There are a couple of stream crossing that need to be walked and the final descent is pretty rocky and steepish in sections but all rollable. Drop down to the River at Saint-Antoine, near the Kayaker's get on point and there's a lovely gentle run switching sides of the river the Vallouise.

Getting back up to Ailefroide maybe a different story as it'll be back the way you came or up the road.

Vallouise has an amazing bakery just north of the cobbled square, 7:30-8am if you want lovely fresh Pain-au-Chocolat etc or late afternoon for sweet pastries. Alphand beer's brewed in the village are pretty pleasant.

Puy-St-Vincent above Vallouise has an up lift running, but it's season is limited. Wasn't open while we where there, so tried to follow some of the VTT trails which proved to be a bit challenging the VTT maps are terrible and half the signage is missing. But we found some great trails, the Red from the top is a fun roller coaster and the Blue/Green down to 1400 is fun too.

Vallouise has a few VTT running around the valley, Blue 5 (I think) is a nice gentle run but the rivers links up a Red at the southern end which is a nice loop, though some of the climbing is steep and loose and definitely challenging in 35deg heat!

Serre Chevalier is good for a days up lift, two linked gondola lifts serving some lovely gravity trails. The Green trail runs like a UK Red in places and the Blues are definitely UK Red grade, but all wheels on the ground rollable.

Trials were really dusty back in early July.

Vallouise is a good base for multi activity, whereas Ailefroide more Rock Climbing centred and a bit more isolated.

Some good Via Ferrata around there too if that's your thing?

Sounds great. Will be primarily climbing, hence staying at Ailefroide, but we're flexible so a day or two in Valousie or further afield sounds like a good plan.

Cheers,

PSV, riders left, follow the trail round to Narreyroux, descend a few 100s of m on the road then climb steeply but shortly over the ridge to the west. Descend switchbacks to the Onde, cross river and out to Vallouise.

PSV, riders right. From top of main summer chairlift, descend right, then after short steep climb, cross towards Col du Pousterele. Descend singletrack cutting corners of main track. On (I think(!)) 3rd LH, take track towards Les Vigneaux. Full speederbike action. Not difficult, but for 90% of the way, if you're going to fall, please fall right. You'll pop out at the bridge at Les Vigneaux.

On both trails be prepared to bump into walkers, so please act accordingly.