+ 61
Buvette des Mottets
Gravel Riding Trail
Hard
5.68 mi
1,837 ft
A quick hit of gravel pedaling directly from downtown Chamonix.
The ride to the Buvette des Mottets hut offers a quick hit of gravel pedaling departing directly from downtown Chamonix. Unlike many other rides in the valley that require a long pedal from downtown, this ride begins close to the train station and heads directly up the mountainside.
If you’re conquering this ride on a classic gravel bike, the initial climb will feel brutally steep, but take heart: most of the climb isn’t this difficult. If, on the other hand, you're like most people in Chamonix, and you’re pedaling along with a motor assist, just throw that motor in turbo mode and power right up the steep part.
After a few hundred meters, the grade mellows out into a very rideable fire road climb up the mountainside. The easy pedaling grade is punctuated by several sections of steep switchbacks, but press on anyway.
On your way up the mountain, you’ll enjoy expansive views of the town of Chamonix below and the opposite side of the valley from occasional clearings in the trees. It’s amazing how quickly you can access stunning views by just pedaling up the mountainside a bit!
The final pitch to the Buvette des Mottets is steep and rocky, but thankfully it’s short. Park your bike at the bike rack and finish the route with a quick hike up to the hut.
While you can, of course, enjoy a beverage and a meal at this hut, the true reward is the jaw-dropping views you’ll access by topping out on the rocky ridge. From the hut, you’ll enjoy a stunning panorama of the Aiguille Verte, as well as the deep valley carved by the Mer de Glace.
Once you’ve savored the views, turn around and blast back down the rocky fire road back to town. If you’re on a gravel bike, be sure to ride the brakes down the steep, rocky pitches lest you pinch flat on the boulders. Written by Greg Heil
The ride to the Buvette des Mottets hut offers a quick hit of gravel pedaling departing directly from downtown Chamonix. Unlike many other rides in the valley that require a long pedal from downtown, this ride begins close to the train station and heads directly up the mountainside.
If you’re conquering this ride on a classic gravel bike, the initial climb will feel brutally steep, but take heart: most of the climb isn’t this difficult. If, on the other hand, you're like most people in Chamonix, and you’re pedaling along with a motor assist, just throw that motor in turbo mode and power right up the steep part.
After a few hundred meters, the grade mellows out into a very rideable fire road climb up the mountainside. The easy pedaling grade is punctuated by several sections of steep switchbacks, but press on anyway.
On your way up the mountain, you’ll enjoy expansive views of the town of Chamonix below and the opposite side of the valley from occasional clearings in the trees. It’s amazing how quickly you can access stunning views by just pedaling up the mountainside a bit!
The final pitch to the Buvette des Mottets is steep and rocky, but thankfully it’s short. Park your bike at the bike rack and finish the route with a quick hike up to the hut.
While you can, of course, enjoy a beverage and a meal at this hut, the true reward is the jaw-dropping views you’ll access by topping out on the rocky ridge. From the hut, you’ll enjoy a stunning panorama of the Aiguille Verte, as well as the deep valley carved by the Mer de Glace.
Once you’ve savored the views, turn around and blast back down the rocky fire road back to town. If you’re on a gravel bike, be sure to ride the brakes down the steep, rocky pitches lest you pinch flat on the boulders. Written by Greg Heil
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Mur des Planards | 0.21 mi | 194 ft | 17.4% |
| Les Planards- Les Mottets | 2.36 mi | 1,667 ft | 13.4% |
| Les Planards > Les Mottets | 2.23 mi | 1,424 ft | 12.1% |
| Planards - Caillet / Orthaz Junctioin | 2.10 mi | 1,299 ft | 11.7% |
| Buvette des Mottets depuis le heut du petit teleski des Planards | 2.66 mi | 1,686 ft | 12.0% |
| pont planards ->orthaz jonction | 2.17 mi | 1,178 ft | 10.3% |
| Subida central a Le Montenvers | 2.13 mi | 1,138 ft | 10.0% |
| Chemin des Carrières Climb | 0.58 mi | 476 ft | 15.5% |
| Fin de la montée à la Buvette des Mottets | 0.16 mi | 131 ft | 7.2% |
| Buvette des mottets DH | 0.21 mi | -217 ft | -19.2% |
| Mottets - Planards Descente | 2.48 mi | -1,519 ft | -11.6% |