Swiss Portes du Soleil mountain bike trails
Discover the mountain bike trails in the swiss resorts of Morgins, Champoussin, Les Crosets and Champery
Some trails a little further into the Portes du Soleil, all accessible from Morzine by lift.
Morgins
Morgins is reached from the Mossettes lift out of Lindarets via a super long fourx track. This is most definitely not as simple as it sounds, with lots of opportunities for the more experienced rider to follow the various cut throughs to the next hairpin of the four track. Some of the latter is super fast with natural drop offs, berms and kickers should you wish to utilise them. Morgins sports the Freeride Xtreme downhill/northshore combo - definitely for experts only. Check it out from the lift accessing Champoussin - absolutely terrifying. You'll definitely find a variety of well maintained trails here, from fast and flowy to steep and technical, with a nice helping of wide smiles and great views to boot.
Champoussin
Champoussin links Morgins and Les Crosets on the Passport du Soleil route. The traverse over to the top of Les Crosets is very spectacular with the Dents Du Midi to your left. This is a technical single track trail slightly climbing for a while followed by a big and very entertaining drop into Les Crosets itself. Access is via the Aiguille des Champerys télésiège and a short but steep climb up to the trail start.
Les Crosets
Les Crosets offers downhill courses, the Grande Conche and Crosets, the latter is a blue and perfectly suited to a freeride/all mountain style bike whereas the former is black and more suited to a downhill rig. Take the Crosets II chairlift to access this excellent run or alternatively drop down to Champery via the old Freeraid route. This is an excellent single track trail through the meadows, negotiating roller coaster styles and intransigent cows (and their deposits) along the way.
To negotiate your way back to Morzine try the Mossettes lift, followed by ‘Puncture Alley’ all the way into Lindarets itself. This is a steep rocky and very fast four track road with many a rain bar to impede the progress of the unwary by way of its moniker. Alternatively head to Les La Pissas and onwards to the infamous Col du Cou. This is a real test of a rider's uphill ability.
Very few can ride it all the way without a rest stop. But at worst it will take 30 minutes to walk and push your bike. The reward is the super long decent into Morzine centre ville. This has everything from fast rutted sections, big drop offs, rocky rooty sections and finally super fast gravely four track. In addition Les Crosets has the best four-cross course in the area with some pretty scary near vertical drops and the usual assortment of kicker, table tops and berms.
Champery
Champery is accessed via a number of routes from Les Crosets, all equally entertaining, no need for a downhill rig here all though plenty of riders use one. The trails are more technical single track of varying difficulty but without the super steep gradient of the specific downhill courses.
There are ‘secret’ trails out there for the hard core freeride enthusiast but these are definitely more hospital inducing unless your top rider. There is a great bike park area in Champery below the téléphérique for testing out and developing those essential skills.
The trip up the cable car is a spectacular part of the day and brings you out above Les Crosets, perhaps another run down the red downhill course?
Find trail maps here.
What to see
Sights in Morzine
See all Sights & Sites-
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Lac Montriond
Located 4.4 km away
Lac de Montriond is a peaceful natural retreat surrounded by cliffs and forest. Enjoy swimming, paddle boarding, walking trails, and more in this scenic lakeside spot.
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Les Gorges du Pont du Diable
Located 5.2 km away
A great walk through a beech forest and dramatic limestone gorges carved by the Dranse de Morzine. Expect vibrant rock colours, safe cliffside paths and even a daring glass walkway you can try.
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Trout Fish Farm
Located 5.2 km away
Visit the local fish farm to discover how arctic char and trout are raised in alpine waters. Join a tour, try your hand at fishing or pick up fresh fish to take home.
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Pointe de Nyon hiking and trails, Morzine
Located 6.1 km away
The Pointe de Nyon area is dedicated to hiking trails and discovering the fauna that lives in the mountains.
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Alta Lumina enchanted night walk
Located 6.4 km away
In the heart of the French Alps, in the village of Les Gets, experience a night walk in an enchanted forest like no other. Set off along the path of a travelling music-maker and his hot-air balloon, and follow his incredible journey beyond the mountains.