AlpPacker WWII Alpine Liberation
Join us as we retrace the liberation of the Alps, starting from the Col des Saisies and riding trails so steeped in history that the soldier’s journey becomes our own.
An adventure like no other, using singletrack as a vector to immerse ourselves in the rich cultural history of the Alps, staying in iconic locations as we move through the high mountains.
AlpPacker WWII Alpine Liberation Journey
On July 31st 1944, a BBC radio announcer declared cryptically “the gardener is watering his lettuces”. A thousand kilometres away, 400 French resistance fighters heard the message and knew what it meant as they mobilised for something totally unprecedented in the history of WWII at that point.
At the same time, 78 B17 bombers and an escort of P51 Mustangs from the US 388th Bomb Group were listening too and began fuelling up for their part in WWII history.
What followed was a daring broad daylight, mountain-top delivery of nearly 900 cases of arms, ammunition and essential supplies to the col des Saisies. There was also some chewing gum, if the stories are to be believed.
Hidden Trails
The col overlooks the entrance to the Tarentaise Valley and today, some 80 years later, the same trails used by the resistance fighters to disperse, hide and then utilise these weapons help to make up a network of singletrack whose density, variety and sheer mind blowing quality make for one of the world’s great hidden mountain biking destinations.
Join us as we retrace the liberation of the Alps, starting from the Col des Saisies and riding trails so steeped in history that the soldier’s journey becomes our own. Great rides need many things, from the best trails and scenery to some good friends to ride with.
Here at BikeVillage we believe that the narrative, the journey, is also key to a truly magical life experience and never is this more tangible than when we get to share the trails with those who have trodden them before us, to feel the lives lived and died where we now roam.
Alpine singletrack adventures
This is a one week singletrack journey through the Alps of the French-Italian border south of Mt Blanc. We’ll ride the very finest trails in search of the hidden history of the liberation of the Alps.
We’ll stay in iconic locations close to the fiercest battles and immerse ourselves in the mountain culture that shaped the resistance movement in the Tarentaise valley.
Trip Flavour
Incredible singletrack adventures on the same networks of trails left behind by WWII resistance fighters
Let the trails tell you their secrets, let the mountains set the scene
Why this trip?
- The trails, scenery and natural environment are so stunning that this trip is a bucket-list item before we even get started.
- The history is so vivid and so recent. The names on the memorial plaques we find hidden in the forest are the same names as the local villagers today.
- You’ll be traversing and exploring the Alps on amazing technical singletrack
- With full vehicle support and 1000-2500m daily uplifts with the world’s most professional guides.
- Spend nights in great locally owned hotels at iconic spots close to the battlefields end enjoy great local food every single day.
- E-bike friendly, mixed groups will enjoy the best of flowing alpine singletrack.
- Mt Blanc stands guard over us the whole time, a constant snow-capped companion and reminder of our place in the scheme of things.
That’s the AlpPacker WWII Liberation and it’ll change your life.
At a glance
- Duration – 7 nights, 8 days
- multi-centre uplifted traverse of the Alps
- Skill level – Intermediate+ (Blue and above on ITRS)
- Physical level – Intermediate+ (Blue and above on ITRS)
- E-bike friendly? Yes, absolutely
Our 2025 Trip Dates
Trip Date
7 spaces left
June 28-July 5th
Trip Details
- Cost – €3195
- Trip includes – Guiding, van uplifts, transport, breakfast, lunches, evening meals, drinks from the van drinks cooler
- Not included – drinks at bars/restaurants, airport transfers, final evening meal
- Start: Annecy (we help organise car sharing)
- End: Bourg Saint Maurice
- Airport: Geneva
Core memories:
- Standing on high mountain passes amidst WWII defences
- Riding singletrack that threads from mountain top to valley floor
- Nights spent at iconic locations close to key battles
- Riding incredible trails in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest summit
- Immersing yourself in the mountain culture that the resistance fought for
Let the trails tell you their story, whisper their secrets. In between the alpine wild flowers lie the bullet casings that helped to liberate the alpine valleys.
It is for us to search them out
How does the AlpPacker WWII tour compare to other AlpPackers?
Cultural immersion: Always an important part of our trips, this adventure really turns the history dial up to 11
Singletrack adventures: winding mountain trails were the fastest way for soldiers to move between the summits, and so it is 80 years later for us on our bikes
E-bike friendly: With charging facilities every night and minimal pushing on the climbs, this trip is perfectly adapted to mixed groups of e-bikes and regular steeds.
Comfort: the hotels are a step up from some of our more ‘red-neck’ adventures!
The trip is designed to be accessible and is built around not just the history but also a ton of type 1 fun – sinuous singletrack stretching out as far as you can see whilst really adding a historical slant to the journey narrative that have made our AlpPackers world famous.
FAQs
This handy collection of boxes should answer most of your questions – if not please get in touch to chat to us or even book a call back from our head guide Sam
What bike to bring?
Any modern trail/enduro bike or e-bike will be great. The main thing is to make sure the bike is well serviced before you come and to fit suitable tyres. There will be specific tyre advice when you book – the Alps deserve a reinforced sidewall, so do you!
Can I rent a bike?
Absolutely. Just contact us during your booking and we’ll set a bike aside for you. When you arrive we’ll help set it up, adjust shock pressures and make double sure the brakes are the right way around depending on where you’ve come from!
What should I pack for my trip?
We made this handy video for how to pack light. You don’t need to go as far as us but it should help keep your bag size manageable for you.
Is this trip e-bike friendly?
Yes, very much so
Do I need insurance?
Yes, 100%. You need insurance to cover you for medical emergencies, trip cancellation and we also advise some bike cover in case of damage/loss. You can book great, cycling specific cover through Yellow Jersey and get a 10% discount using the code BVillage10
How hard is the trip?
This is one of the more accessible AlpPacker trips. On the International Trail Rating System (ITRS) you would need a physical level of Blue or above and technically you should also be at Blue level or above (except jumping – these are natural alpine trails so the aren’t really any shaped jumps). If you have any doubts then why not book in a chat with us to talk it over.
What if the weather is bad?
We’ll have a ball anyway! Usual weather is sunny and warm but not too hot, mid 20°s/70°s.
This is the mountains though so we need to be prepared for the weather. Our guides monitor the weather endlessly and we’re always adapting our plans to make the most of the conditions. We’ve never missed and awesome day of riding yet.
Our packing video details the clothes that you should bring to maximise your fun on the trails.
How do I prepare for the trip?
Don’t stress! You have a job, a life and a million other commitments. Just ride your bike.
That said, a trip can be a great motivator to get out and do more. We have a video in the pipeline but, until then, here are a few tips:
- Regular and often: ride to the shops, ride to work, ride for 20 minutes. The more days in the week your bum hits a saddle, the better.
- Core strength: Zwift wont help you hike-a-bike! You can build core strength in lots of ways but our favourite is probably indoor climbing – it’s fun, sociable, winter-proof and works every muscle group we need for biking including grip strength. Get climbing!
- Enter an event: pick a fun but challenging event about a month before your trip. It’ll help motivate you and also leave you relaxed before your trip.
It could be biking but running is also fine. - Don’t stress!! We’ll say it again – you could always be fitter and stronger. That’s why you need a holiday. You’ll be fine.
How many people will be on my trip?
There’ll be a maximum of 7 riders plus your guide and driver. Sometimes we double the fun with a second set of riders + guide. This makes for a great atmosphere either way – a shared journey is best shared with good company.
Can I make this tour private?
Absolutely, just contact us to book a whole tour for your group.
What is the accommodation like?
Awesome! Part of the fun is the perspective you get on life in the remote mountains. As such, we mix carefully selected hotels at iconic spots like mountain cols and scenes of the fiercest battles.
There are some great tips in our packing video on how to get a good night’s sleep on the road.
How should I get to/from the trip?
When you book we’ll send arrival and departure information. You can come by plane, car or train.
By plane you’ll fly into and out of Geneva airport, where we can collect/drop you.
By car we’ll send you details of where to park and also help you to arrange car sharing with any other riders.
By train we’ll pick you up from Annecy station and drop you back there after the trip. Train pickups are free – it’s a small gesture to encourage sustainable transport methods.
We’ll send more specific details when you book.