La Thuile isn't just a bike destination: it's one of the iconic locations for international enduro and gravity racing. Important chapters in the history of the discipline have been written here, with epic challenges on technical and natural trails that are still remembered today by riders from around the world.
The author has had the opportunity to experience it firsthand, participating in a stage of the Masters World Cup and several national competitions, with a third and fourth place finish in two particularly competitive Italian championships. These experiences perfectly capture the nature of La Thuile: a demanding, authentic, and incredibly educational terrain.
Located in the heart of the Aosta Valley, surrounded by glaciers and dominated by the Rutor massif, La Thuile offers a network of natural trails that test technical ability and physical fitness. A unique setting, where the riding It remains pure, but at the same time accessible and safe thanks to the design and maintenance work carried out over the years.
HERE our interview with Enrico Martello
2026 Season Opening: Dates and Major Events
The La Thuile Bike World bike season will officially kick off on July 6, 2026, immediately after one of the most anticipated events of the year: the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta stage, scheduled from 3 to 6 July.
The event will feature four disciplines and a compact format with paddocks, teams, and services concentrated directly in town, making the experience even more engaging for spectators and riders.
The season will continue until September 13th, with the opening of the Bosco Express and Chalet Express facilities dedicated to bike transport.
Trail area in evolution: interventions and news
2026 marks a further step forward in the development of the trail area, with targeted interventions on various routes to improve quality, variety, and flow without distorting the trails' identity.
C La Joux: longer, more complete, more panoramic
Among the main innovations stands out the work on C La Joux, one of the most popular trails in the area. A new initial section has been created that:
- extends the route by approximately 900 meters
- adds almost 100 meters of negative altitude difference
- take the trail to about 3 km and 520 m D-
The result is a more guided and fluid descent, with well-crafted curves and a spectacular view of the Rutor glacier.
Improvements to flow and technique
Other interventions involved:
- D Vertical → made it smoother
- P Mill → improved overall flow
- Z Touriasse → deliberately kept technical and natural
This choice perfectly captures La Thuile's philosophy: to evolve without standardizing, maintaining the character and identity of the trails.
After the debut in 2025, it will also be possible to compete on the track in 2026 downhill used in the World Cup.
Once the event is over, the course will be reopened and adapted for the public, becoming a permanent fixture in the resort's gravity offerings. A rare opportunity to ride on the lines of the pro riders.
A look to the future: accessibility and development
Among the ongoing projects is a new easy line that will allow access down to the village, further expanding the trail area's accessibility.
Looking ahead, another fundamental piece will be the future cable car Les Suches – Chaz Dura (planned for 2027), which will allow you to reach an altitude of 2.580 meters directly from the town by bike.
An increasingly complete destination
Behind these developments is the constant work of the trail building crew, supported by technical partners and guided by a clear vision: to make La Thuile one of the top destinations riding more complete and internationally recognizable.
2026 confirms this direction, offering:
- trail for expert riders
- high-level gravity lines
- new solutions for a wider audience
