MTB super trail in the Aosta Valley: Surfing the waves of the Banzai Trail

But before we start singing the praises of this MTB super trail, here's the catch: there is no lift, no shuttle and no refreshments. There isn't even a water source along the way if it hasn't rained for a while. So 1410 metres of climbing are on the agenda and the loop around Monte Creya starts in Cogne. You reach Champlong on a sporty uphill tarmac road, then the chain quickly moves to the left. The road surface soon changes to gravel and the hairpin bends climb even steeper. The panorama of the Graian Alps becomes more and more distracting. It increases with every turn of the cranks. A short flat section over a plateau, then the gradient increases again. Shortly below the 2600 metre altitude mark, a trail branches off straight ahead in a right-hand bend to the pass. Follow this for the last 300 metres uphill. Narrow, technical and extremely exposed in places. If you still have enough strength in your legs or a power drive, you can ride a few sections with good riding technique. Only the last few metres will probably require everyone to push and carry. The path is simply too rough here. At the top of the Invergneux, you not only have a view of the 3000 metre peaks, from which the white peaks of Gran Paradiso (4061 m) and Grivola (3969 m) stand out strikingly. You are also amazed by a gently sloping, undulating high valley that now spreads out on the other side of the pass.

A ribbon of path nestles around these meadow humps. A trail that you can follow with your eyes as far as the horizon: the Banzai Trail. Its curves are sweeping and rhythmic. There are rocks, but they lie to the right and left of this ribbon of sand and only want to decorate. If a rock does find its way into the flow, it serves as a kicker and momentum generator. When crossing a stream, water briefly splashes against your feet, small counter-climbs require a few turns of the cranks, then you're off again as if in a trance.

A footbridge helps with the next stream crossing. The lower we get, the more massive the wooden bridges become. From Alp Grauson, a few tighter combinations of bends finally shake us awake again, while stone steps provide an adrenaline rush. The trail soon clings to the left flank of a talus notch and tries to maintain height, while the river valley on the right has cut deep into the mountain. At Pila, the trail also has to twist and turn down into this forest gorge. Nearby, you can hear the river thundering down into the valley as a waterfall. However, just like the river, the Banzai Trail calms down again after this section of the terrain and flows gently down to the mountain village of Gimillan. A short asphalt-gravel contact, then the downhill trail adds another 250 metres of descent before you have to climb another 150 metres back to Cogne. Incidentally, the trail was named by Thomas Giger, editor-in-chief of Ride magazine. He discovered that the name has a second meaning: Banzai is what the Japanese say when they wish someone 10,000 years of happiness and joy. A perfect fit for this super trail!

The tour:

• Length: 37.7 kilometres
• Uphill: 1673 metres in altitude
• Trail section: 14.6 kilometres
• Difficulty: medium

Info about the Banzai Trail

The tour: In principle, the tour takes you round the rather inconspicuous-looking Monte Creya. The ascent to the Pass dell' Invergneux branches off in the small village of Cogne, in the side valley of the Aosta Valley. There are no ascent aids in the form of shuttles or lifts.

Catering: There are a few fountains in Cogne where you should stock up on water. Although there are always a few springs along the way during the ascent, they don't always gush after a long dry spell. Pack a snack, there are no refreshment stops along the way!

GPS data Banzai MTB trail, Valle d'Aosta

You can download the GPS data for the Banzai Trail free of charge here.