Enduro Mountain Bike Trail No.32 : La Saint-Pierre

Total circuit including connecting sections: 11km and 350m elevation gain/loss
Enduro special stages:
Special stage 1 (La St-Pierre haute): 1km and 90m descent/0m ascent
Special stage 2 (La St-Pierre basse): 1.3km and 150m descent/0m ascent
Type of riding: Enduro/e-MTB
Route type (40% tracks, 15% roads, 35% trails)
Duration: 1h 45m
Signposting: yes
Start: Village of Valderoure from Lake Valentin

From the ridges of the Col Saint-Pierre, the route descends gradually through a semi-shaded pine forest and a lovely single track on the upper section, specially cleared for mountain biking by the villagers, a testament to the local enthusiasm for the sport.
The descent is then interrupted by a track that joins a magnificent hairpin-bend trail in the second section, leading to the finish in Valderoure.

From Lake Valentin, follow the path running alongside the lake through the pine forest at the far end. Turn left and continue straight on to join the “GR510” hiking trail, which connects directly to the tarmac “Chemin du Reyal”. Then turn right onto the RD2 departmental road. Watch out for motorists, who can sometimes drive fast, making this crossing dangerous.
Turn left, then follow the Chemin de la Ferrière for about 1 kilometre to marker no. 184. Then head up the ascending track leading to the Col Saint-Pierre to marker no. 186. This track has a few steep sections, which might tempt some muscular mountain bikers to consider an e-MTB, but it remains relatively fast.

Turn left to join the path that follows the ridge line to the left of the pass. This path, somewhat inconspicuous but identifiable, is steep for just 300 metres. It can be ridden by the more experienced or walked by those in no hurry.
The start of the first special stage, ‘La Saint-Pierre Haute’, is marked by an enduro marker. The trail follows the ridge line downhill, then veers left onto a gently sloping section punctuated by bends and natural bumps. This fun section on loose ground stretches for about 1 kilometre and ends in a meadow.

A short, more or less flat track section of around 500 metres leads to the second special stage, ‘La Saint-Pierre Basse’, which is also signposted. The stage begins on a magnificent single-track footpath, with a slight downhill slope after the first few hairpin bends, before opening out and becoming faster. Halfway through, the trail joins that of special stage no. 26, “La Fauchier”, sharing the same finish to the hamlet of Fauchier. The route has few technical sections and remains very pleasant. Watch out for walkers on the second half of the descent.

The descent ends in the hamlet of Fauchier. At the end of the trail, at the junction, continue straight on along the tarmac road, then take a short stretch of path between the houses towards the village centre via the “Chemin des Faïsses”. Turn right onto ‘Rue de la Mairie’ to reach the RD2 road below. Turn left, walk 400 metres, then turn right onto ‘Chemin du Reyal’, which leads to the track back to Lake Valentin.