Despite the name (which means "Art of the Saddle"), you won't be sitting much on this trail. You'll need to stand and find the right saddle contact for the fabulous descent. From Mont Cenis Pass or the Val Cenis lifts, you'll ride across the mountain on a singletrack balcony path for about 6 km. You can rest the brakes on a few sections before plunging down to the valley, but the steeper parts are not particularly technical. This descent alternates between Alpine pasture and forest. Besides some lovely paths it offers a bird's-eye view over the valley. So why the name "Art de la Selle"? This is in fact a play on words, as the itinerary takes you close to the hamlet of Arcelle.
Departs from: Mont Cenis Pass or Val Cenis Lanslevillard.
27- Enduro - Red - L'Art de la Selle
The Arcelle Enduro mountain trail is mostly a track and singletrack itinerary. This beautiful balcony path, with views of the Vanoise glaciers, the Dent Parrachée and Bessans Valley, won't fail to impress!
27- Enduro - Red - L'Art de la Selle Val-Cenis
About
Signs
Marking French Cycling Federation
Difficult passages
Technical difficulty: Balcony path that can sometimes lead to a void. The crossing of the bridge over the Châtel stream requires you to get off the bike and a short portage of a few dozen metres is compulsory. Physical difficulty: Some very short steep sections, but overall the route is not very physical.
Map references
Haute Maurienne Vanoise mountain bike map sold in the Tourist Offices
Topoguides references
Haute Maurienne Vanoise mountain bike booklet sold in the Tourist Offices
Further informations
Stone, Grit, Ground
Prices
Free access.
Period of practice
From 15/06 to 01/10.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Contacts
Access
The official start is at the Col du Mont Cenis
However, a departure is possible from the Val Cenis ski lifts in summer (July and August):
- Lanslevillard : this option saves you a 3.8 km crossing on the piste.
- Termignon : you will have to cross on a track of about 6 km; this adds 150 of D+ and 160 of D-.
During the summer season, you can take the S53 bus (Modane - Bonneval/Arc) to get to the ski lift departures, stop "Télécabine du Vieux Moulin" for the departure from Lanslevillard and stop "Maison de la Vanoise / Mairie" for Termignon. Bus equipped with a bicycle trailer every day except Saturday.
