As Emile will soon be joining his mother for the rest of his holidays, we stop at the foot of the Val des Glaciers, near Les Chapieux. We spend a day there without moving VivaLaVida as Cormet of Roselend road is closed one day for the “Etape du Tour”. It’s the largest amateur cycling event with no fewer than 19,000 entrants who set off on one of the stages of the Tour de France: 85 miles and 12,500 feet of elevation gain!
 
1. We find a nice bivouac spot near the river.
 

 
 
2. The next morning, we take the bikes to explore the Valley of Glaciers.
 

 
 
3. Panoramic view of the valley with the Aiguille des Glaciers towering above. The Tour du Mont-Blanc trail passes through this valley and the Pass of la Seigne, to the right of the needle.
 

 
 
4. As we look back, the small road that leads us to the Refuge des Mottets.
 

 
 
5. Despite the long climb, Emile once again makes it on his mountain bike !
 

 
 
6. Last look at the valley as we leave the next day.
 

 
 
7. And the last image of this holiday: a small chapel in Les Saisies, with the Aravis Mountains in the background.
 

 
 
The year of VivaLaVida continues with a mountain bike getaway in Valais, a few weekend outings followed by the fall break.
Find out more here soon! 🙂