The VTT Plan Goy passes through Les Déserts and is a specific cycling trip to include in your travel plans. Other options include two viewpoints with different route descriptions, the Stade de biathlon Alexis Bœuf, and hiking options with or without a donkey. These options vary in duration, access and type of activity. You can first consider whether a cycling route with a stated distance, a viewpoint, biathlon or a type of hike should be your main focus.
Cycling the VTT Plan Goy
The mountain biking route is rated as moderate and is 8.5 km long. It is estimated to take about 45 minutes, with 106 m of ascent and 102 m of descent. This lets you consider the time, distance and elevation profile together. The route starts and finishes at the Parking de la Forêt in La Féclaz, passing through Les Déserts along the way. Treat the roughly 45 minutes as a guide: weather and trail conditions may affect your ride. The route therefore connects a named start and finish point with an explicitly stated passage through the commune.
Routes to two viewpoints
After 600 m, the Sentier de la Gornaz reaches a junction at the Gouffre du Pertuiset. From there, a short out-and-back walk leads to the Col du Pertuiset viewpoint above Lac du Bourget. Access to the Belvédère du Sire is different: the viewpoint can only be reached on foot from the parking area at the Col du Sire; the climb takes 20 minutes. From there, you can see the Croix du Nivolet and part of Lac du Bourget. At Col du Pertuiset, the junction and short out-and-back walk are the main points to follow. For the Belvédère, the named starting point and the climb duration are specified instead.
Biathlon and hiking
The Stade de biathlon Alexis Bœuf has an international-standard shooting range with 30 targets, as well as a 4.5 km paved loop. The 30 targets describe the shooting range; the length and surface refer to the loop. These are two specific features of the venue that can help you narrow down your options.
Florent Armand offers hikes with and without donkeys. The options with donkeys include a short bivouac hike, a two-day bivouac hike, and three- to four-day hikes through the massif. The first two are described as bivouac hikes; the longer option specifies both the duration and the route through the massif. The options without donkeys include evenings observing chamois and hikes to sinkholes and caves. This gives you different options to choose from: an evening observing chamois, hikes to sinkholes or caves, and multi-day trips.
Compare the time commitments
The time estimates are useful to compare if you pay attention to what they refer to: about 45 minutes for the VTT Plan Goy, and 20 minutes for the climb to the Belvédère du Sire. The two-day bivouac hike and the three- to four-day hikes through the massif are in a different category. This lets you distinguish between individual outings and multi-day hikes without equating the duration of a climb with the time needed for a complete cycling route.
Discover more destinations: Modane, Saint-Nicolas-La-Chapelle, Villarodin-Bourget, Saint-Bon-Tarentaise, Saint-Christophe, Vions, La Bâthie, La Table
Return to the main travel overview: Savoie.
