I shall be honest, I had never even heard of a 🚵♀️ pumptrack before we discovered the 🚵♀️ pumptrack in Combloux!
So, what is a pumptrack? It is a circuit, with ups and downs and turns, on which the 🚵♂️ cyclist / 🛹 skater / 🛴 scooter can keep moving simply through “pumping” (no need for pedal action, once moving). Not just for cyclists (BMX, VTT), it is also open to skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, draisiennes . . . You must wear a helmet, and other protective gear (gloves, knee and elbow protection) is also favourable. For now, there are FIVE to choose from 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, all FREE to use: Servoz, Combloux, Megève, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and NEW for summer 2019: Les Contamines-Montjoie.
A bit further afield, there is 🇫🇷 a pumptrack in Les Carroz and a NEW one in Morillon . . .
[ DISCLAIMER – pumptracks attract all age-groups, so do be vigilant with little ones ! ]
Servoz
The 🚵♀️ pumptrack in Servoz opened in the summer of 2017 and it has a very practical location, next to the playground and tennis courts.
good to know: visit to the pumptrack in Servoz could combine nicely with a visit to the 💦 Gorges de la Diosaz (open June to September).
🅿️ parking: free parking right next to pumptrack;
🗺 address: chemin de a Grangiat, 74310, Servoz;
Combloux
We discovered the 🚵♀️ pumptrack in Combloux a couple of summers ago, as there was a super FREE initiative from Combloux Tourisme: children could borrow BMX bikes to try out for FREE! And after that, I found myself back at the pumptrack on a sunny Wednesday afternoon in February . . . with some little patches of ice scattered about, and a fresh nip in the air, my elder son had the whole circuit to himself!
The 🚵♀️ pumptrack in Combloux is a brilliant destination for a weekend jaunt: with 🍏 picnic tables, 🛹 a small skatepark, 🏀 a terrain multi-sport (be sure to take a football or basketball to make the most of this), a lovely playground for little ones, a parcours freestyle and 🥤 a snack bar (in summer) all on the same site as the pumptrack, there is something for the whole family . . . and, let’s not forget the stunning views of 🏔 Mont-Blanc! A short walk from the centre of town, you can buy any provisions that you might need for 🍏 a picnic nearby (the boulangerie La Pointe Percée is just around the corner on 16 route de l’Église, 74920, Combloux). There are also 🚾 just behind the car park and 📚 a little book hut to exchange books.
good to know: if you have come from afar to Combloux, you may well want to prolong your fun by visiting the TWO other playgrounds in this mountain village . . . or, in the summer months, you can visit the 💦 Plan d’Eau Biotope . . .
🅿️ parking: located just behind the school and Mairie / plenty of FREE parking;
🗺 address: rue de la Mairie, 74920, Combloux;
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains now has 🚵♀️ a pumptrack all of its own, with an area specially reserved for little ones! It is conveniently located behind the 💦 swimming pool, in the Plaine de Pratz (same zone as the 🎾 tennis courts and ⛳️ mini-golf).
good to know for summer 2019: Monday multi-activity day . . .
🅿️ parking: plenty of FREE parking near tennis courts and mini-golf, then a short walk;
🗺 address: Plaine des Pratz;
Megève
A short distance from the Le Palais, on the Plaine des Sports, are located: 🚵♀️ Megève’s pumptrack (600m²), its 🏀 City Stade (football, basketball, handball), its 🎾 outdoor tennis courts and ⛳️ the mini-golf. This pumptrack consists of two tracks.
🅿️ parking: plenty of paying parking on-site;
🗺 address: Plaine des Sports, Megève;
Les Contamines-Montjoie (Zone de Loisirs des Loyers)
BRAND NEW for July 2019, Les Contamines-Montjoie was equipped with its own 🚵♀️ pumptrack in the Zone de Loisirs des Loyers (where there is also a playground and ice-skating rink for the winter season). There is a parcours bleu and a parcours rouge.
the 🌈 playground on-site . . .
The pumptrack and playground are located next to the lovely Sentier de Découverte, an annotated pathway along the river, where you can learn all about the history, patrimoine and nature of the fabulous Les Contamines -Montjoie . . .
❄️ and for the winter season, ⛸ an ice-skating rink and foodtruck!
🅿️ parking: you can either park at the car park found further along the route de Notre Dame de la Gorge or in the car park next to the tourist office; from either location you have a short 5 to 10 minutes walk;
🗺 address: Zone de Loisirs des Loyers, Les Contamines-Montjoie;
🇫🇷 And a little further afield . . . 🇫🇷
Les Carroz
Les Carroz now has its own 🚵♀️ pumptrack, near the skatepark . . . and there are plenty of other super summer activities to enjoy here: a Bike Park, a new summer luge, MountainCart . . .
🚵♀️ 🚵♀️ 🚵♀️
Morrillon
New kid on the block, the 🚵♀️ pumptrack in Morillon (by Bike Solutions) opened for autumn 2019!
Pump tracks sound fun.
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Pumptracks, Terry Dodsworth, are indeed FUN! Though not without risk! We’ll take you on your next visit to the Pays du Mont-Blanc!
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