“Keep your teeth for the cheese”: France’s tastiest mountain biking trail

If you’ve ever dreamt of combining your love of mountain biking with a cheese platter, or if you simply want to indulge in fromage without a side of guilt, the Rando 3 Fromages is your ticket to dairy-fuelled, pedal-powered glory. Set in the Alpine village of La Clusaz above Annecy, this 12-kilometre mountain-bike ride is as much about taste as it is about trail. It’s a deliciously absurd concept and yet, it works beautifully.

Imagine this: winding through forested paths with The Aravis mountain range peeking over your shoulder, pausing not just to catch your breath but to sample Reblochon, Chevrotin and Tomme, all lovingly crafted by local farmers. Yes, it’s a thing, and yes, it’s brilliant.

Your cheesy adventure begins not with a climb, but with a lift. From the village of La Clusaz, hop on the Crêt du Merle ski lift, which happily welcomes both you and your bike. As you ascend, take in the sweeping views; a patchwork of pine trees, mountain pastures and winding tracks that hint at what’s to come.

At the top, the starting point awaits. From here, the trail unfolds with a descent through the shady woods of the Balcon du Voret, a forest track that’s smooth enough to enjoy, but lively enough to keep you awake. The air is fresh and the trail keeps you on your toes… Our guide, Aymeric, grinned as he warned us to go easy on the brakes during the descent; “Keep your teeth for the cheese,” he joked, with a twinkle in his eye.

The first pitstop is a short ride away, just past the Retenue du Lachat, which you reach via a steep, rocky descent, a tranquil reservoir that glints like a mirror in the sun. Your reward for bravery arrives in the form of a wedge of Reblochon, the velvety, nutty cheese that has put Haute-Savoie on every cheese-lover’s map. Served fresh by local producers and volunteers, it gave us a chance to watch goats herded through the meadows as we paused for a breather.

Fuelled by fromage, you continue along the Chemin du Laythet, a beautiful forest path that skirts the edges of Alpine meadows and glades. It’s a perfect mid-ride stretch: not too steep and not too technical. Eventually, the path opens out towards the Lac des Confins, a sparkling mountain lake. It’s here that you’re treated to the second cheese: Chevrotin, a goat’s milk gem with a delicate tang and a creamy interior. It pairs particularly well with mountain air and smug satisfaction of being past the halfway point…

From the lake, the route turns downhill again, coasting past the hamlet of La Cluiseraz and following the Route des Confins down to Le Fernuy. If your legs are starting to grumble, they’ll soon forgive you as here lies the third and final cheese stop, where local Tomme is on offer. Earthy, aromatic and firm enough to survive a backpack ride home, it’s a hearty finale to your trinity of taste.

The route then leads you towards the Route du Crêt du Merle, crosses the Route du Col des Aravis, and throws in a last intense zig-zag descent to really make you earn that finish line. It’s short but sharp, and just tricky enough to ensure you’ve worked off at least one slice of cheese.

The Rando 3 Fromages isn’t a race, and it isn’t about who finishes first. It’s about savouring the landscape, the tradition, and the ridiculously good cheese made here in the Aravis mountains. It’s a celebration of all things local. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a keen beginner with a soft spot for dairy and thrill, this ride promises just the right blend of challenge, charm and cholesterol.

Oh, and did I say I did it on an e-mountain bike? 👀🤫

What to know before you go:

Distance: Approximately 12km
Duration: Up to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate, suitable for confident beginners and up
What to bring: Water, a rucksack, camera, lightweight waterproof and suncream
When: Held during the Le Bélier VTT event in La Clusaz – Annecy Mountains
How: You can hire bikes at Evolution 2 La Clusaz, Aymeric guided our group along the course