Reviewed by: chris mansell ,  Downhiller , from london

Summary:
Yes, this route is a bit dull if, like most people, you like more than just a high speed fire road blast; however there are good sections of ( very steep, very scary)singletrack linking these bits of fire road..

Recommended Route:
leave top cable car at brevant, follow fire trail round back of peak past climbing area turn back towards chamonix, after 3 or 4 switchbacks take small strack off a r h corner. big boulder you will hae to climb oer but after that the rest is rideable. this drops back to planpraz( first c car stop) just before lift station take a right down walker trail, drops into switchbacks steeper/ tighter than you can imagine. triple clamp forks no good for this as its just too tight. see how far you get before you loose your nerve...this is across a65/70 degree slope!!. meets fire road 200 m below. ride fire trail for 2 switchbacks then look for shortcut strack on left.nice rocky drop entry. links with same fireroad bit further down. ride 2 more s.backs on f.road then look for trail cossing road. take another left here and follow down 3-4 kms to cham. this section of the trail is classic chamonix singletrack, steepish but mega rocky/rooty often with big drops to the side. you WILL stop from arm pump.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
le tour is good, (trail under chairlift)

Reviewed by: Louis Gomez , from Tucson, Arizona

Summary:
Steep sustained downhill on a gravely jeep road with swithbacks. Rode a rented Lobo down it a few years ago. Not impressed as it got boaring about halfway down. I guess if your looking for outright speed and some switchback practice on a non technical trail its OK. The Lobo on the Grand Balcony Norde on the other hand was interesting.

Recommended Route:
Pass this one by for something more fun and challenging in the area.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Check out Phil Hennam's review or check with Phillipe or Fabrice at Trajectoire. Sweet singltrack and technical downhills abound in the Cham valley, and are worthy of a weeks holiday (end of Summer is best), I've done it twice and plan on going back.

Reviewed by: Mike Brown , from Farnham, UK

Summary:
Literally every inch of this route is v.steep and sustained. Surface is loose 'fire-road' used for cable car maintenance. Switchback after switchback you are hanging off the back with your arms pumped. You will be braking for 30-45 mins solid. Its OK, if you like extreme (and rather constant) downhills. But I prefer a bit more variety. Personally, I found it dull.

Recommended Route:
Start from the top and head down - almost vertically. Its not difficult (route findng that is).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Stacks of truly great riding in and around the valley. A good taster is the up and down the Petite Balcon on eithe side of the valley. Awsome scenery, great trails. Can sometimes be difficlt to find. A guide would be v.useful if you are new to the area as it takes a while to suss it all out.

Reviewed by: Ravin Raktoe , from Amsterdam, The Netherlandz

Summary:
Man, this trail is scary as hell! Once I got to speed, and two tourists almost had to jump into the ravine to survive ( ;-> ) ... It's really fast, but I personally like a single trail that demands multiple skills more, than one that's just about one thing ... I really need different brakes too ... these V-brakes are difficult to use accurately at high speeds, so I wouldn't reccomend them for this trail ...

Recommended Route:
The route I like best is about 10 km south of Argels sur Mer in the south of France. It's on the foot of the Pyrenees, the climb is rocky and the descent is first low speed/high speed rocky and later high speed forest. Views are spectactular (there is an abandoned 13th century abbey on the top of the mountain, and close to it a water source) and the weather never lets you down. And of course, Argels has it's babes, beach and Desperado beer. ;-))

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I'm still in the area, so I'll see what I can find... for now, I'll enjoy the descent by car (IMPReZZZZa, BaBY!)towards Annecy, where I'm having dinner at 7, so I need to get going...

Reviewed by: phil hennem , from Chamonix

Summary:
Chamonix has a load of stuff to offer (by the way I'm a MTB guide in Chamonix). The Brevent will always be an obvious choice for Chamonix virgins as it's in town and accessed by a lift. Try getting down to Les Houches or up to Le Tour where the quality of riding is far superior. The single track is out of this world. Try Les Contamines (adjoining valley) and St Grevais. Alternatively mail me for more info

Recommended Route:
Whole heap of stuff in the Chamonix valley that's waaaaay better than the Brevent

Other recommended trails in the same area:
A guide will save you a lot of wasted time