I rode the tour on 31.10.2024, having had it on my radar for a long time. There was still too much snow at the end of July, which both the people at the hospice and the tourist office in Orsières had unanimously confirmed to me.
At that time, the post bus only rode as far as Bourg-St-Pierre, so I was able to roll in quite easily as far as the dam wall. As soon as it turned into a beautiful single trail, there were always a few ramps. I had to get off my bike several times, partly because I didn't have the best day power-wise. At the tunnel entrance to St. Bernard, you come to the pass road, which was all mine thanks to the winter closure. The climb up to the pass is then very moderate and, thanks to zero traffic, also very relaxing. After the top of the pass, you descend briefly on the road as described before the ascent to Fenêtre begins. This is not particularly steep, so I was mostly able to push the bike and not have to carry it, which was welcome due to the lack of energy.
The view at the top of the pass is really magnificent, especially on such a great late fall day. The downhill to the lakes could almost be described as flowy, but after that there are always some bumpy sections. All in all, the descent to Plan de la Chaux is okay, but not a highlight either. There I tried to join the trail heading south, but that was a mistake (almost non-existent cow shit trail).
As my hunger for trails was not yet satisfied, I decided to take the ascent to Alp La Peule in the direction of Col Ferret in the valley. This also has a few steep ramps, but is easy to ride. The singletrail towards Pramplo starts right by the alp. This trail nestles nicely along the contour line, has a few rideable counter-climbs and is perfectly flowy, clearly the highlight of the tour. It was only from Pramplo onwards that it partly became a cirque trail, probably also because the path had to be repaired due to the storms in early summer. From Ferret, I then returned to the original trail, which also has a few very nice sections until after the ridge.
All in all, a great tour, especially in terms of the scenery, but one that won't make it onto my annual to-do list. I ride a Scott Genius Ultimate and am usually in the head group uphill; downhill I'm always the last one by a long way.

Really great tour over the entire route! On our tour day, 18.07.2021, there were only two short snow fields after the pass, which were easy to cross. The rest was tip-top. We rode the bus from Orsière to the hospice. The 300 m of carrying and pushing up to the pass were over faster and easier than expected - the path is neither exposed nor otherwise challenging. On the descent, we average bikers had to get out of the saddle from time to time, otherwise everything was enjoyable for us too. The panorama of Mont Blanc "from behind" at the lakes is sensational, as are all the other views down into Val Ferret. The "Les Ars Dessous" mountain hut offers delicious food and drink ("Plan de la Chaux" further up is a real mountain hut, i.e. just a cowshed - there's nothing there). As Jenni79 already said, don't miss the turn-off to La Fouly to enjoy another extensive singletrail to Praz de Fort. There's another kiosk with deckchairs right there :-). For us, this is one of the highlight tours in Valais.

The tour surprised us in a positive way! A pleasant start in Bourg St. Pierre on gravel, then a beautiful SIngleTrail in beautiful alpine flowers at the Lac de Toules reservoir. Depending on the traffic, the ascent on the pass road isn't such a hit, but overall it wasn't as bad as expected. On the ascent from Alp Baou to Fenetre de Ferret we shouldered half the bikes and pushed the other half, you can only ride about 50m. There was only a snowfield just before the pass, which you can easily avoid. On the descent, too, there was only one snowfield that could be bypassed. The descent was fun, the Lacs de Fenetre are very beautiful, as is the panorama and the whole Val Ferret. From Plan de la Chaux to La Fauly you can let it roll on gravel and tar. From La Fauly to Praz de Fort there are more interesting trails, which are worthwhile and then you can let it roll out to Orsiere.
In terms of overall impression, we would give the tour a 4-5.

Started on the Great St. Bernard and rode as far as La Fouly. There were a few snowfields, but these did not significantly restrict the descent. The stretcher passage was also manageable as a family tour (youngest 13 years). A worthwhile tour.