Mountain bike on the balcony of the alps
The Alps on the French-Italian border offer a breathtaking landscape and a fascinating history. The numerous former military roads that run along the ridges, continuously intertwining with the mountain paths, give plenty of choice to those who want to explore the area by mountain bike.
The tour will take off from Strada Pramand, a magnificent dirt road created to connect the numerous fortifications built at the end of the 19th century, passing through the spectacular Saracen Tunnel, dug at a bend. On the second day we pass through the Gran Bosco Park and take the famous Strada dell’Assietta. The tour continues to discover the beautiful alpine lakes set in a lunar landscape. The last stage passes through France through places of extraordinary beauty, pervaded by peace and serenity.
The routes vary in difficulty, taking an average of 6 and a half hours by bike and differences in altitude of between 1,317m and 1,629m uphill.
Details
- Suitable for: groups (max 14 people)
- 5 days / 5 nights
- Total route length: 142 km
- Total ascent height: 6.050 mt
- Total descent height: 6.050 mt
SCHEDULE
Day 1
Arrival in Bardonecchia in the early afternoon and meeting with the guides.
Bike check and short MTB ride in the company of the guides along the Vie du Viò from the historic hamlet of Les Arnauds to Fort Bramafam, the most important fortification in the Cottian Alps at the end of the nineteenth century. Today it has been extensively refurbished and houses a captivating museum of local military history, open on Sundays in July and September.
Dinner and overnight stay in Bardonecchia.
8km – 157m ascent – 157m descent
Day 2
We climb through the hamlet of Millaures and then follow the trails up to the Fregiusa basins and the beginning of Strada Pramand. Our first stop is Forte Foens (2186m), then we pass through the spectacular Galleria dei Saraceni (876m long) to arrive at Forte del Pramand (2162m) before descending towards Oulx. From here, we go uphill in the woods to arrive in the historic hamlet of Jouvenceaux.
Overnight stay and dinner in Jouvenceaux.
34km – 1,629m ascent – 1,631m descent (not Wed or Sat)
Day 3
We climb through the village then enter the Parco Naturale del Gran Bosco and go up the trail of the Strada dei Cannoni. At the top, you reach the famous Strada dell’Assietta, a historic military road at an altitude of above 2,000m on the ridge between the Val di Susa and Val Chisone, offering breathtaking scenarios. The Assietta leads to Sestriere from where we’ll have fun going down on the trails towards Sauze di Cesana.
Overnight stay and dinner in Sauze di Cesana.
36.9km – 1,525m ascent – 1,322m descent (Wed or Sat)
Day 4
This itinerary crosses some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Upper Val di Susa. Going down to Bousson we turn towards the small Alpine village of Thures. From here you go up towards Capanna Mautino, passing by the Lago Nero and its pasture, the lunar ups and downs of the Monti della Luna and the wonderful Lago dei 7 Colori. Continuing to the Ancien Fort du Gondran, we descend to Montgenevre and then return on the path to Claviere.
Overnight stay in Claviere
33,6km – 1,317m ascent – 1,112m descent
Day 5
A challenging stage, but one that develops through places of extraordinary beauty. From Claviere, at the bottom of the Chaberton, we climb to Col de la Lauze and Col du Dormillouse, before descending to the small village of the Chalet des Acles through the Vallon de l’Opon. We climb up again, carrying the bikes for a part of the way (possible alternative), up to the Passo della Mulattiera. From here, there are some beautiful downhill stretches in the bike park up to Bardonecchia.
Dinner and overnight stay in Bardonecchia
28.7km – 1,421m ascent – 1,838m descent
RATE & CONDITIONS
From € 755,00 per person – based on a group of 14 people
Supplement single room: from €140,00
Rates not applicable in the month of August
Rate includes:
- 5 nights bed and breakfast in comfortable 2-3 star hotels in a double room
- packed lunch or at the refuge for the 4 days of the tour
- 4 dinners at a nearby hotel or restaurant (dinner of your own choosing in Claviere)
- 2 mountain bike guides for the duration of the tour
- luggage transfer
- dedicated area for MTB storage at the accommodation facilities
Rate does not include:
- tourist taxes (to be paid locally)
- drinks during dinners
- 1 dinner (free evening in places with a good variety of restaurants)
- any admission tickets to museums or cultural sites
- swimming pools and wellness centres
- any tastings
- anything not specifically indicated under “Rate includes”.
Contact us for a quotation for your group
