An electric-mountain-bike loop that combines Alpine trails with UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications above Briançon. Expect forest tracks, rocky ridgelines and high-country views in a three-hour outing.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You push off and the VTTAE’s motor answers with a quiet whirle — the town below tightens into roofs and ramparts, the high-alpine air sharp against your face. Tracks climb through larch and pine, then open to stony ridgelines where Vauban’s scars — bastions, glacis and artillery platforms — sit like chapters of a hard, strategic history. From these ledges the valley spreads: terraced fields, the Durance threading silver, and Briançon’s patchwork of old stone roofs.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for riders with basic cycling fitness; e-bike assistance reduces sustained power demands but expect short, steep climbs.
Wildlife
History
The forts are part of the Vauban fortification system upgraded across the 17th–19th centuries and included in UNESCO’s listing for military architecture adapted to mountain fronts.
Conservation
Stick to marked tracks to protect fragile alpine flora and avoid trampling high-elevation meadows; rechargeable e-bikes reduce local emissions but keep noise levels low around heritage sites.
Reserve your spot on the Visit of the fortified heritage of Vauban in VTTAE today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Charge the battery fully
Confirm the VTTAE battery is fully charged before departure—assistance makes steep climbs enjoyable but battery levels dictate route flexibility.
Helmet and gloves only
Wear a certified helmet and light riding gloves; descents include rocky, uneven sections where protection and grip matter.
Watch the weather
Mountain conditions change quickly—start in stable morning weather and avoid exposed ridgelines if storms are forecast.
Carry a puncture kit
Gravel and old roads can hide sharp stones; a spare tube, patch kit and pump will keep you moving.
Certified helmet
Protects against head injury on rocky descents and tight switchbacks.
Hydration pack (1.5–2L)
Keeps water and small tools accessible on exposed climbs.
summer
Puncture repair kit & spare tube
Quickly fixes flats on gravel tracks to avoid long delays.
Layered windproof jacket
Blocks cold alpine wind on ridgelines and during sudden weather changes.
spring