My 5 top trails: Ex-racer Jérôme Clementz presents his favourite trails
Text: Jérôme Clementz
Even as an enduro pro, he was able to jet around the world for the World Series and get to know the most exciting trails. Today, the Frenchman is a bike explorer with and without an electric motor. He also enjoys travelling in his home region of the French Western Alps. His credo: a trail doesn't have to be a record-breaking length, it has to be entertaining. With creative lines, with natural or built-in play elements that don't slow you down, but give you momentum and, best of all, in a magnificent landscape. We asked Jérôme for his 5 favourite enduro trails in Europe and his choice was already clear after 10 minutes.
Tutti-Frutti-Trail
Canazei / Dolomites
On this trail, the panorama first overwhelms you: on a ridgeline, you stare directly at the incredible backdrop of Sassolungo and Sella, then the trail takes its first flowing bends in the alpine meadow. You don't have to pull on the levers here, the hairpin bends are both brakes and momentum generators. But as you reach the tree line, the terrain suddenly drops steeply into the valley and things get really busy: roots, steps and switchbacks now demand timely, courageous manoeuvres. The fun continues all the way down to Canazei. Real cinema!
Col de Mille
Verbier / Switzerland
1764 metres of very varied descents, but the focus is always on flow. The great thing about this trail loop on the quiet side of the Val de Bagnes is that you can either pedal uphill yourself, take a section with the Switzerland You can either take the typical post bus (900 m altitude difference) or take the lift almost to the top. The absolute insider tip, however, is to spend the night at the top of the Cabane du Col de Mille. The starry sky and sunrise up here are an epic experience.
Dragon Khan
Santa Coloma / Spain
Santa Coloma de Farners, about an hour's drive north of Barcelona, is THE enduro hotspot. The incline and decline of the trails are perfect for cranking and I don't know of any other spot in Europe with such a special rocky surface. The Dragon Khan is also full of small features that keep you busy throughout. Nothing wild, but creativity in line choice is required throughout. Well, and then of course there are the Spanish tapas bars in the evening. I could eat my way through them for hours.
Buxo Trail
Madeira / Portugal
Madeira is definitely one of my top spots, it's just hard to decide on one trail. But if I have to, I opt for the Buxo Trail in the south of the island. It's 3.5 kilometres long and you can really let off the gas on its 650 metres of downhill. That's when it's the most fun. At the top, it offers amazing views, then you fly through a eucalyptus forest and orientate yourself along the typical levadas down to the valley. More fun is not really possible.
Col de la Crèche
Queyras / France
This trail is located in the French Western Alps in the Queyras region, south-east of Briancon. An old track that winds its way down the south side of the Col de la Crèche. Five kilometres long. But I already like the zigzag ascent up to the 2273 metre high pass. At the top, a panoramic plateau and the entrance to this trail, which was not specifically designed for bikers but still has perfect curve radii, await. Braking is only necessary in very small doses here too.
