Mountain biking trips
Bicycle trips
Italy
From the mountains in Limone Piemonte to the waves of the Mediterranean – here we are talking about mountain biking with historic vibes! For centuries, the old salt trade route, Via del Sale, was used to transport salt from Piedmont to the coast. Today, it has become a spectacular cycling route that winds over mountain passes, between mountain huts, and further down towards the sea.
The Maritime Alps
The Maritime Alps stretch across Southern France and Northern Italy, separating the French and Italian coastal regions. With impressive peaks like Mont Bégo (3,204 m), the mountains offer dramatic landscapes, deep valleys, and historical trade routes. The area is perfect for activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing, and offers fantastic views towards both the Mediterranean and the Alps.
Through the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian mountains, raw views, airy heights, and terrain that both challenges and excites await. Several of the passes are over 2,000 meters above sea level, but with full-suspension e-mountain bikes, you can just enjoy the climbs.
This is a trip where history, nature, togetherness, and real cycling joy meet – from high mountains to the sea all in one trip!
The trip is planned with an English-speaking, local, certified cycling guide.
Adventurous cycling stages in Liguria
Via del Sale winds its way through the Maritime Alps, offering a perfect blend of moderately challenging trails, magical views, and historical atmosphere. From Limone Piemonte, you climb up to high mountain areas where the mountain roads wind between dramatic peaks and steep mountainsides. Along the way, you get panoramic views of Piedmont, and further towards the Ligurian coast.
The route follows old trade and military roads, and you will pass ruins of fortifications and ancient stone buildings that bear witness to the road's strategic importance through the ages.
Varying terrain and exciting challenges
The surface alternates between wide gravel roads, somewhat technical climbs, and fun descents. Some sections require good bike control, while others let you enjoy long flow trails through untouched mountain nature.
Italian food - local and flavorful
At the mountain huts, a simple but good, local three-course dinner is served, always a highlight.
Lunches consist of packed lunches prepared at the mountain huts, or alternatively, you can stop at a restaurant in some of the villages / mountain huts you pass along the way.
In SanRemo, there are many cozy, local restaurants with very good cuisine.
Adventurous cycling stages in Liguria
Via del Sale winds its way through the Maritime Alps, offering a perfect blend of moderately challenging trails, magical views, and historical atmosphere. From Limone Piemonte, you climb up to high mountain areas where the mountain roads wind between dramatic peaks and steep mountainsides. Along the way, you get panoramic views of Piedmont, and further towards the Ligurian coast.
The route follows old trade and military roads, and you will pass ruins of fortifications and ancient stone buildings that bear witness to the road's strategic importance through the ages.
Varying terrain and exciting challenges
The surface alternates between wide gravel roads, somewhat technical climbs, and fun descents. Some sections require good bike control, while others let you enjoy long flow trails through untouched mountain nature.
Italian food - local and flavorful
At the mountain huts, a simple but good, local three-course dinner is served, always a highlight.
Lunches consist of packed lunches prepared at the mountain huts, or alternatively, you can stop at a restaurant in some of the villages / mountain huts you pass along the way.
In SanRemo, there are many cozy, local restaurants with very good cuisine.
The spectacular views from the Maritime Alps
The historic cycle path Via del Sale
The contrasts of the alpine mountains and the Mediterranean Riviera
The fun descents and flow trails
The local Italian cuisine
The e-mountain bikes
Sharing unforgettable experiences with a group of friends
The daily program is preliminary, changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to make corrections in the event of any spelling errors or currency changes.
The daily program is preliminary, changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to make corrections in the event of any spelling errors or currency changes.
Arrival in Nice. Your private driver is waiting at the airport in Nice, for transport to Limone. Expect approx. 1.5 – 2 hours of transport. Lunch on your own (not included).
Upon arrival in Limone, there will be check-in and some free time for sightseeing in the town. A cozy little mountain town with an alpine atmosphere.
Joint dinner at the hotel's restaurant in the evening (included).
After breakfast, at 09:00, you will meet your local guide for a briefing and walkthrough of the tour, as well as the distribution and testing of the bikes. Today's destination is Rifugio Don Barbera at approx. 2000 meters above sea level. Light lunch (not included) along the way.
After the briefing, the trip starts up to Col di Tenda, and then follows the military road towards the fortifications from World War II. You start cycling at approx. 1000 meters above sea level, and will go all the way up to approx. 2000 meters above sea level. In other words, you must expect most of the stage to be uphill. Works perfectly with an e-mountain bike then!
Arrival and check-in at Rifugio Don Barbera, 2079 meters above sea level.
After-bike by the house wall before a pleasant joint dinner at the mountain hut (included).
After breakfast at the mountain hut, today's stage starts towards Rifugio Allavena. The route goes at altitude, along old mule tracks and historic military roads. The packed lunch is enjoyed along the way (not included). Alternatively, you stop at a mountain hut with a restaurant for lunch.
Expect an adventurous day with fantastic nature experiences. A long and exciting day.
Upon arrival at Rifugio Allavena, there is check-in before after-bike and a joint dinner served at the hut (included).
Breakfast at the mountain hut before starting the final day of the bike tour along Via del Sale.
From Rifugio Allavena, the route heads down towards the Mediterranean! You arrive at the final destination of the trip, Sanremo, in the early afternoon.
Most of this stage is downhill, on small gravel roads as well as some trails. Several magical Kodak moments along the way.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the bikes will be handed in, and you will check in to the hotel before thanking the guide for some magical days with great experiences. Time for some relaxation with sun & swimming before dinner.
Dinner on your own at a local restaurant (not included).
The last few days are time for relaxation, sun & beach, perhaps some hiking, pleasant dinners, and sightseeing on the Riviera.
Superb opportunities to take the train over to the French side and visit the cozy French town of Menton, or take a walking tour of the luxury cities of Monaco and Monte Carlo.
Lunch and dinner on your own these days (not included).
Breakfast before check-out from the hotel. Pick-up for transport to the airport.
The program is preliminary; changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to correct any typographical errors.
Arrival in Nice. Your private driver is waiting at the airport in Nice, for transport to Limone. Expect approx. 1.5 – 2 hours of transport. Lunch on your own (not included).
Upon arrival in Limone, there will be check-in and some free time for sightseeing in the town. A cozy little mountain town with an alpine atmosphere.
Joint dinner at the hotel's restaurant in the evening (included).
After breakfast, at 09:00, you will meet your local guide for a briefing and walkthrough of the tour, as well as the distribution and testing of the bikes. Today's destination is Rifugio Don Barbera at approx. 2000 meters above sea level. Light lunch (not included) along the way.
After the briefing, the trip starts up to Col di Tenda, and then follows the military road towards the fortifications from World War II. You start cycling at approx. 1000 meters above sea level, and will go all the way up to approx. 2000 meters above sea level. In other words, you must expect most of the stage to be uphill. Works perfectly with an e-mountain bike then!
Arrival and check-in at Rifugio Don Barbera, 2079 meters above sea level.
After-bike by the house wall before a pleasant joint dinner at the mountain hut (included).
After breakfast at the mountain hut, today's stage starts towards Rifugio Allavena. The route goes at altitude, along old mule tracks and historic military roads. The packed lunch is enjoyed along the way (not included). Alternatively, you stop at a mountain hut with a restaurant for lunch.
Expect an adventurous day with fantastic nature experiences. A long and exciting day.
Upon arrival at Rifugio Allavena, there is check-in before after-bike and a joint dinner served at the hut (included).
Breakfast at the mountain hut before starting the final day of the bike tour along Via del Sale.
From Rifugio Allavena, the route heads down towards the Mediterranean! You arrive at the final destination of the trip, Sanremo, in the early afternoon.
Most of this stage is downhill, on small gravel roads as well as some trails. Several magical Kodak moments along the way.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the bikes will be handed in, and you will check in to the hotel before thanking the guide for some magical days with great experiences. Time for some relaxation with sun & swimming before dinner.
Dinner on your own at a local restaurant (not included).
The last few days are time for relaxation, sun & beach, perhaps some hiking, pleasant dinners, and sightseeing on the Riviera.
Superb opportunities to take the train over to the French side and visit the cozy French town of Menton, or take a walking tour of the luxury cities of Monaco and Monte Carlo.
Lunch and dinner on your own these days (not included).
Breakfast before check-out from the hotel. Pick-up for transport to the airport.
The program is preliminary; changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to correct any typographical errors.
Arrival in Nice. Your private driver is waiting at the airport in Nice, for transport to Limone. Expect approx. 1.5 – 2 hours of transport. Lunch on your own (not included).
Upon arrival in Limone, there will be check-in and some free time for sightseeing in the town. A cozy little mountain town with an alpine atmosphere.
Joint dinner at the hotel's restaurant in the evening (included).
After breakfast, at 09:00, you will meet your local guide for a briefing and walkthrough of the tour, as well as the distribution and testing of the bikes. Today's destination is Rifugio Don Barbera at approx. 2000 meters above sea level. Light lunch (not included) along the way.
After the briefing, the trip starts up to Col di Tenda, and then follows the military road towards the fortifications from World War II. You start cycling at approx. 1000 meters above sea level, and will go all the way up to approx. 2000 meters above sea level. In other words, you must expect most of the stage to be uphill. Works perfectly with an e-mountain bike then!
Arrival and check-in at Rifugio Don Barbera, 2079 meters above sea level.
After-bike by the house wall before a pleasant joint dinner at the mountain hut (included).
After breakfast at the mountain hut, today's stage starts towards Rifugio Allavena. The route goes at altitude, along old mule tracks and historic military roads. The packed lunch is enjoyed along the way (not included). Alternatively, you stop at a mountain hut with a restaurant for lunch.
Expect an adventurous day with fantastic nature experiences. A long and exciting day.
Upon arrival at Rifugio Allavena, there is check-in before after-bike and a joint dinner served at the hut (included).
Breakfast at the mountain hut before starting the final day of the bike tour along Via del Sale.
From Rifugio Allavena, the route heads down towards the Mediterranean! You arrive at the final destination of the trip, Sanremo, in the early afternoon.
Most of this stage is downhill, on small gravel roads as well as some trails. Several magical Kodak moments along the way.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the bikes will be handed in, and you will check in to the hotel before thanking the guide for some magical days with great experiences. Time for some relaxation with sun & swimming before dinner.
Dinner on your own at a local restaurant (not included).
The last few days are time for relaxation, sun & beach, perhaps some hiking, pleasant dinners, and sightseeing on the Riviera.
Superb opportunities to take the train over to the French side and visit the cozy French town of Menton, or take a walking tour of the luxury cities of Monaco and Monte Carlo.
Lunch and dinner on your own these days (not included).
Breakfast before check-out from the hotel. Pick-up for transport to the airport.
The program is preliminary; changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to correct any typographical errors.
Our local guides know the trails, shortcuts, and favorite spots – and will take you to places you would hardly find on your own. English-speaking, passionate, and ready to show you the real destination.
Read more
This is only a recommendation – feel free to borrow gear from friends or use what you already have. Look at the list as a starting point, and adapt it to your needs and what you feel you will need on the trip.
This is only a recommendation – feel free to borrow gear from friends or use what you already have. Look at the list as a starting point, and adapt it to your needs and what you feel you will need on the trip.
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