Mountain biking trip with Tor Erik and his group of friends – From the Maritime Alps to the Mediterranean

Bicycle trips

Mountain biking trips

Italy

Mountain forest bike ride, Via del Sale, Tor Erik with friends

Mountain biking trip from the Maritime Alps to the Mediterranean

Tor Erik and his group of friends on a mountain biking trip in Italy!

From the mountains in Limone Piemonte to the waves of the Mediterranean – we are talking mountain biking with a historic vibe! For centuries, the old trade route Via del Sale was used to transport salt from Piedmont to the coast. Today, it has become a spectacular cycling route winding 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 historic trade routes. The area is perfect for activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing, providing fantastic views pointing 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 lie above 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 genuine cycling joy meet – from high mountains to the sea in one and the same trip!

What can you expect?

Adventurous cycling stages in Liguria
Via del Sale winds its way through the Maritime Alps and offers a perfect blend of moderately challenging trails, magical views, and historic atmosphere. From Limone Piemonte, we 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, flowing trails through untouched mountain nature.

Accommodation
We stay at mountain huts with multi-bed rooms for the first two nights (simple standard). The last night we stay at a hotel by the coast.

Italian food, local and flavorful
At the mountain huts, a simple but good local three-course dinner is served; the dinners are always a highlight. Lunches are packed lunches prepared at the mountain huts, or we stop at a restaurant in one of the towns / mountain huts we pass along the way.
Farewell dinner the last evening at one of the restaurants along the coast.

What can you expect?

Adventurous cycling stages in Liguria
Via del Sale winds its way through the Maritime Alps and offers a perfect blend of moderately challenging trails, magical views, and historic atmosphere. From Limone Piemonte, we 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, flowing trails through untouched mountain nature.

Accommodation
We stay at mountain huts with multi-bed rooms for the first two nights (simple standard). The last night we stay at a hotel by the coast.

Italian food, local and flavorful
At the mountain huts, a simple but good local three-course dinner is served; the dinners are always a highlight. Lunches are packed lunches prepared at the mountain huts, or we stop at a restaurant in one of the towns / mountain huts we pass along the way.
Farewell dinner the last evening at one of the restaurants along the coast.

Highlights

  • The spectacular views from the Maritime Alps

  • The historic Via del Sale cycle path

  • 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 your group of friends

Length

4 days

Grading

Moderate

Participants

5-15 people

Available dates & Contact info

+47 926 18 805

Send us an email

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Program

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.

Day 1Arrival Nice - transfer to Limone / Bike ride Col di Tende - Rifugio Don Barbera

Overnatting på Rifugio Don Barbera den første natten | Expa Travel

Arrival Nice. Private driver awaits at Nice airport for transfer to Limone.
Today's destination is Rifugio Don Barbera at approx. 2079 m.a.s.l. Light lunch (not included) upon arrival in Limone. Here we also pick up our rental bikes (not included) and meet our local guide.
After briefing and run-through, we start the ride up to Col di Tende, and then follow the military road towards the fortifications from World War II.
We start cycling at approx. 1000 m.a.s.l., and are heading all the way up to 2790 m.a.s.l. In other words, we must expect that most of this stage is uphill. Fits perfectly with an e-mountain bike then!

Arrival and check-in at Rifugio Don Barbera, 2079 m.a.s.l.
Afterbike on the patio before a pleasant, communal dinner at the mountain hut (included).

MealsDinner
AccommodationAccommodation Rifugio Don Barbera
Elevation difference2079 m.a.s.l.

Day 2Bike ride Rifugio Don Barbera - Rifugio Allavena

Col di Tenda i Italia - terrengsykkeltur med Expa Travel

After breakfast at the mountain hut, today's stage starts towards Rifugio Allavena. The route goes at high altitudes, along old mule trails and historic military roads. Lunch packed lunch is enjoyed along the way (not included).

Upon arrival at Rifugio Allavena there is check-in before afterbike and communal dinner served at the hut (included).

MealsBreakfast & Dinner
AccommodationAccommodation Rifugio Allavena
DistanceApprox. 40 km
Elevation differenceApprox. 1545 m.a.s.l.

Day 3Bike ride from Rifugio Allavena to the coast in Bordighera / Ventimiglia

Hva med en tur over grensen for å besøke Menton i Frankrike? | Expa Travel

Good breakfast at the mountain hut before starting the last day of the tour along Via del Sale.

From Rifugio Allavena, the route today goes down towards the Mediterranean! We arrive at the end point of the trip, Bordighera / Ventimiglia, in the early afternoon. We have lunch along the way (not included).
Most of this stage goes downhill, on small gravel roads and some trails. Several magical kodak moments along the way.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the bikes will be returned, followed by check-in at the hotel.
Time for some relaxation with sun & swimming.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant by the sea (included)!

MealsBreakfast & Dinner
AccommodationAccommodation Bordighera / Ventimiglia
DistanceApprox. 50 km
Elevation differenceApprox. -1500m

Day 4Departure Day

Terrengsykkeltur i Italia | Expa Travel

Breakfast before checking out of the hotel.
Pick-up for transfer to the airport at 09:45.
The flight to Oslo departs at 13:30 (not included).

The daily program is preliminary, changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to correct spelling errors or currency changes.

MealsBreakfast

Day 1Arrival Nice - transfer to Limone / Bike ride Col di Tende - Rifugio Don Barbera

Overnatting på Rifugio Don Barbera den første natten | Expa Travel

Arrival Nice. Private driver awaits at Nice airport for transfer to Limone.
Today's destination is Rifugio Don Barbera at approx. 2079 m.a.s.l. Light lunch (not included) upon arrival in Limone. Here we also pick up our rental bikes (not included) and meet our local guide.
After briefing and run-through, we start the ride up to Col di Tende, and then follow the military road towards the fortifications from World War II.
We start cycling at approx. 1000 m.a.s.l., and are heading all the way up to 2790 m.a.s.l. In other words, we must expect that most of this stage is uphill. Fits perfectly with an e-mountain bike then!

Arrival and check-in at Rifugio Don Barbera, 2079 m.a.s.l.
Afterbike on the patio before a pleasant, communal dinner at the mountain hut (included).

MealsDinner
AccommodationAccommodation Rifugio Don Barbera
Elevation difference2079 m.a.s.l.

Day 2Bike ride Rifugio Don Barbera - Rifugio Allavena

Col di Tenda i Italia - terrengsykkeltur med Expa Travel

After breakfast at the mountain hut, today's stage starts towards Rifugio Allavena. The route goes at high altitudes, along old mule trails and historic military roads. Lunch packed lunch is enjoyed along the way (not included).

Upon arrival at Rifugio Allavena there is check-in before afterbike and communal dinner served at the hut (included).

MealsBreakfast & Dinner
AccommodationAccommodation Rifugio Allavena
DistanceApprox. 40 km
Elevation differenceApprox. 1545 m.a.s.l.

Day 3Bike ride from Rifugio Allavena to the coast in Bordighera / Ventimiglia

Hva med en tur over grensen for å besøke Menton i Frankrike? | Expa Travel

Good breakfast at the mountain hut before starting the last day of the tour along Via del Sale.

From Rifugio Allavena, the route today goes down towards the Mediterranean! We arrive at the end point of the trip, Bordighera / Ventimiglia, in the early afternoon. We have lunch along the way (not included).
Most of this stage goes downhill, on small gravel roads and some trails. Several magical kodak moments along the way.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the bikes will be returned, followed by check-in at the hotel.
Time for some relaxation with sun & swimming.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant by the sea (included)!

MealsBreakfast & Dinner
AccommodationAccommodation Bordighera / Ventimiglia
DistanceApprox. 50 km
Elevation differenceApprox. -1500m

Day 4Departure Day

Terrengsykkeltur i Italia | Expa Travel

Breakfast before checking out of the hotel.
Pick-up for transfer to the airport at 09:45.
The flight to Oslo departs at 13:30 (not included).

The daily program is preliminary, changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to correct spelling errors or currency changes.

MealsBreakfast

Day 1Arrival Nice - transfer to Limone / Bike ride Col di Tende - Rifugio Don Barbera

Overnatting på Rifugio Don Barbera den første natten | Expa Travel

Arrival Nice. Private driver awaits at Nice airport for transfer to Limone.
Today's destination is Rifugio Don Barbera at approx. 2079 m.a.s.l. Light lunch (not included) upon arrival in Limone. Here we also pick up our rental bikes (not included) and meet our local guide.
After briefing and run-through, we start the ride up to Col di Tende, and then follow the military road towards the fortifications from World War II.
We start cycling at approx. 1000 m.a.s.l., and are heading all the way up to 2790 m.a.s.l. In other words, we must expect that most of this stage is uphill. Fits perfectly with an e-mountain bike then!

Arrival and check-in at Rifugio Don Barbera, 2079 m.a.s.l.
Afterbike on the patio before a pleasant, communal dinner at the mountain hut (included).

MealsDinner
AccommodationAccommodation Rifugio Don Barbera
Elevation difference2079 m.a.s.l.

Day 2Bike ride Rifugio Don Barbera - Rifugio Allavena

Col di Tenda i Italia - terrengsykkeltur med Expa Travel

After breakfast at the mountain hut, today's stage starts towards Rifugio Allavena. The route goes at high altitudes, along old mule trails and historic military roads. Lunch packed lunch is enjoyed along the way (not included).

Upon arrival at Rifugio Allavena there is check-in before afterbike and communal dinner served at the hut (included).

MealsBreakfast & Dinner
AccommodationAccommodation Rifugio Allavena
DistanceApprox. 40 km
Elevation differenceApprox. 1545 m.a.s.l.

Day 3Bike ride from Rifugio Allavena to the coast in Bordighera / Ventimiglia

Hva med en tur over grensen for å besøke Menton i Frankrike? | Expa Travel

Good breakfast at the mountain hut before starting the last day of the tour along Via del Sale.

From Rifugio Allavena, the route today goes down towards the Mediterranean! We arrive at the end point of the trip, Bordighera / Ventimiglia, in the early afternoon. We have lunch along the way (not included).
Most of this stage goes downhill, on small gravel roads and some trails. Several magical kodak moments along the way.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the bikes will be returned, followed by check-in at the hotel.
Time for some relaxation with sun & swimming.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant by the sea (included)!

MealsBreakfast & Dinner
AccommodationAccommodation Bordighera / Ventimiglia
DistanceApprox. 50 km
Elevation differenceApprox. -1500m

Day 4Departure Day

Terrengsykkeltur i Italia | Expa Travel

Breakfast before checking out of the hotel.
Pick-up for transfer to the airport at 09:45.
The flight to Oslo departs at 13:30 (not included).

The daily program is preliminary, changes may occur. Expa Travel AS reserves the right to correct spelling errors or currency changes.

MealsBreakfast

Map

Included & practical info

Included & practical info

Included

Additions

Other information

Guides

Local guide - on trips with Expa Travel

Local guide - English-speaking

Local guides at home and abroad

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

eric@expa.no

+4792618805

Owner, founder and tour guide Eric Berglund - Expa Travel

Eric Berglund

Owner and founder of Expa Travel

Eric is the founder of Expa Travel and has over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, including roles as destination manager for Star Tour and purser for SAS. He has worked all over the world and speaks fluent Italian, English, and Swedish. With his commitment and local knowledge, he creates safe and memorable travel experiences.

Read more

eric@expa.no

+47 92 61 88 05

Video

Video

Packing list

Packing list

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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