Torino to Nice - Climbing Challenge
Ride Beyond Limits: An Unforgettable High-Altitude Cycling Adventure
Through Stunning Landscapes and alpine passes
prepare for A Journey Through Europe’s Grandest Peaks
Embark on the ultimate cycling adventure with the Torino to Nice Climbing Challenge, a breathtaking journey through some of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes.
From the vibrant streets of Turin, Italy, we’ll pedal through the majestic French and Italian Alps, conquering iconic mountain passes and reaching heights above 2000 meters. Each climb rewards you with panoramic alpine vistas, crisp mountain air, and the thrill of pushing your limits. Along the way, charming villages tucked into serene valleys offer moments of respite and discovery, while every summit achieved brings a profound sense of accomplishment.
This is more than a cycling holiday - it’s a journey of endurance, exhilaration, and pure natural beauty. For riders seeking a true high-altitude adventure, the Torino to Nice Climbing Challenge is an unforgettable experience not to be missed.
Colle del Lys
Colle delle Finestre
Col d'Izoard
Colle Agnello
Colle Fauniera
Colle della Lombarda
Col du Turini
Col de la Madone
Guest Reviews
Not exaggerating when I say this was one of the best experiences of my life. Our guides and crew (huge shoutout to John, Ivan, Lorenzo, Nick, and Erika) took all the thought and planning out of going on a ride. From having our bikes prepped everyday with air in the tires to ensuring we were hydrated with the support vans always stopping where we needed them along the climbs for water and food, this trip was so seamless and allowed us to focus on the important things—seeing a beautiful place, challenging ourselves physically, and making new connections with our fellow riders. Not to mention they put us up in beautiful hotels and took us to some incredible restaurants.
Read more
Thoroughly enjoyed the best of Dolomite and Alps classic climbs. This trip was on my bucket list and it exceeded my expectations. Christian, Nikolai, and Lorenzo were fabulous guides: supportive, knowledgeable, patient, and all had a wonderful sense of humour. Overall top marks for professionalism. I highly recommend Italy Bike Tours. I will definitely be back to do another trip. Thank you for making my 60th birthday wish come true!
Read more
Thank you for a memorable week in the Alps & Dolomites! Our team was top tier with handling logistics, ensuring our bikes were ready for rides, and supporting us as guides alongside us and in service vans. If you're looking for beautiful views, challenging rides, and making personal connections within your group, this is the tour for you. A huge shout out to Erica, John, Ivan, Nico, Lorenzo, and Andreas for taking great care of us and making the trip phenomenal.
Read more
This is without a doubt the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve traveled the world and ridden my bike in a lot of cool places but nothing comes close to what Italy Bike Tours brought me. From the minute you get picked up to the minute you get dropped off everything is handled. I brought my own bike and they built it, bled my brakes, and had it clean and ready to go every morning. A lot of people in my group rented bikes and they were in perfect condition.
Read more
We had an amazing trip on the Best of the Alps and Dolomites tour with Italy Bike Tours! The climbs were epic and our guides (Christian, Nikolai & Lorenzo) bent over backwards to make it a perfect trip - they took great care of our bikes, supported and encouraged us on all the rides, and generally made a very challenging trip into a fun adventure that we will always remember. I highly recommend this company (and our guides) and I hope to join them for another trip very soon!
Read moreIn the Saddle
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD to on-bike
- Tackle iconic Alpine climbs like Colle del Lys, Finestre, Izoard, Agnello, and Fauniera.
- Experience mixed terrain: asphalt, gravel, and technical descents.
- Ride routes featured in Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
- Discover charming mountain villages and UNESCO sites along the way.
- Soak in breathtaking Alpine panoramas.
beyond the ride
What to look forward to off-bike
- Explore historic towns like Susa, Cuneo, and Saint-Martin-Vésubie.
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites and 17th-century fortifications.
- Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
- Enjoy local cuisine and wines in charming Alpine villages.
- Discover the history of the Italy-France border region and its cultural heritage.
Itinerary
42 km | 290 m
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by one of our friendly team members and transferred to our beautiful hotel in Torino. After your bike fit with our guides, we’ll head out for a short welcome ride to make sure everything feels just right.
Our coffee stop is a memorable one: the village of Venaria Reale, home to the magnificent Reggia—the former hunting residence of the House of Savoy. Calling it a “hunting lodge” hardly does it justice; it’s as grand and impressive as Versailles itself.
Tonight, we raise a glass to the start of an epic adventure!
Relais Bella Rosina | Torino
88 km | 1460 m
In the 1850s, as Italy moved toward unification, France offered military support against Austria in exchange for Nice and the Duchy of Savoy. Turin and the nearby Susa Valley, however, remained part of Italy. Today, we ride through this remarkable border region, where Italian and French history meet.
Our route takes us over the beautiful Colle del Lys (14 km at 6.5%), a climb featured in the 2019 Giro d’Italia, before reaching the charming town of Susa - full of Roman and medieval history and a welcoming stop for travelers for thousands of years.
Hotel Napoleon | Susa
79 km | 2860 m
The Colle delle Finestre is a spectacular climb, winding up the mountain in dramatic twists and turns. With 7 km of gravel, it’s a true classic - and we’ll have time to warm up before the real challenge begins.
The descent is just as beautiful, taking us through meadows and forests before we ride on toward Sestriere and Mont Cenis. From there, we cross into France and reach Briançon, a fortified town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its impressive seventeenth-century walls designed by the famous engineer Vauban.
Hotel Le Monêtier | Le Monêtier-les-Bains
115 km | 3510 m
This stage features three legendary climbs with a rich Giro d’Italia and Tour de France history. Fausto Coppi himself was first over the Col d’Izoard in both races back in 1949. At the top of our next major ascent, the Colle dell’Agnello - crossed twice by both the Giro and the Tour - we re-enter Italy.
From there, we descend to the village of Sampeyre, turn left, drop to the river, and begin the final challenge: the Colle di Sampeyre. At the top, a mountain refuge awaits, where we can relax and refuel after an unforgettable day of epic climbing.
Rifugio Meira Garneri | Colle di Sampeyre
90 km | 2330 m
The long, demanding Colle della Fauniera, with gradients rarely falling below 10%, has only featured once in the Giro d’Italia. Today, we follow much of that legendary 1999 stage when Marco Pantani surged ahead to finish second behind Paolo Savoldelli, who made his mark with one of the most technical descents in the Alps.
Like the champions before us, we conclude our ride in the charming Borgo San Dalmazzo, before transferring to the enchanting city of Cuneo, a historic citadel built by the Savoys to guard against France.
Hotel Le Lanterne | Cuneo
113 km | 3050 m
Our final town, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, was once part of the historic County of Nice, ceded by Italy to France in 1860, and was originally called San Martino Lantosca. Between Cuneo and Saint-Martin-Vésubie lies the Colle della Lombarda, an Alpine border pass whose road, completed in 1964, opened access to the Isola 2000 ski station.
This climb has its own cycling history: Tony Rominger won a Tour de France stage here in 1993, and Vincenzo Nibali claimed victory on the 2016 Giro d’Italia, though from the opposite direction.
Pure Montagne Resort & Spa | Saint-Martin Vésubie
64 km | 590 m
With Paris busy hosting the Olympic Games, where better for the 2024 Tour de France to finish than Nice? We’ll follow in its footsteps!
Nestled between the sparkling blue sea and the southern Alps, Nice offers breathtaking scenery for today’s ride. The iconic Promenade des Anglais, lined with Belle Époque hotels, predates the city’s annexation by France in 1860 and has been the final stage of the Paris-Nice race since 1933.
Hotel Les Terrasses d'Eze| Nice
Our mountain odyssey comes to an end. After so many breathtaking views, it feels impossible to take in any more! Now it’s time to exchange numbers, say our goodbyes, and start planning our next unforgettable adventure together. In the morning, our guides will ensure a seamless transfer to Nice Airport.
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Price | Availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 15 Jul - Wed 22 Jul | From €3699 |
|
||
| Wed 29 Jul - Wed 05 Aug | From €3699 |
|
||
| Tues 01 Sep - Tues 08 Sep | From €3699 |
|
Ridley Bikes & Gear
Ridley ASTR GRX600 – Explore epic landscapes! Lightweight, responsive, and adventure-ready. Perfect for gravel, touring, and thrill seekers.
Ridley FALCN – Lightweight, aerodynamic road bike designed for speed, precision handling, and all-day comfort on performance rides.
E-Kanzo Adventure *or similar – A powerful motor, long-lasting battery, and comfortable design. Perfect for gravel roads, scenic routes, and iconic climbs.
The nuts and Bolts
What's Included?
- 7 nights' 3* or 4* accommodation
- Transfers (from specified airport/train location)
- All breakfasts
- 4 dinners
- Water and coffee are complimentary during meals that are included in the package
- Fully qualified and ex pro guide
- Fully qualified mechanic
- Van support with snacks and water
- Experienced team of local professionals
- GPX routes
- Bike cleaning service
- IBT cycling jersey
- IBT water bottle
- City taxes
What's Not Included?
- Travel insurance (must be purchased before the tour)
- Flights
- Bike Hire
- Beverages
- Lunches
- Nutrition
- Tips and gratuities
At a Glance
- Level: Perfect for fit cyclists with solid training, as well as experienced riders looking to conquer epic climbs and challenging routes.
- Total Kilometres: Almost 600 km (372 miles) of scenic cycling and rewarding climbs.
- When: July - September (best weather for cycling)
- Start: The tour starts in Torino, Italy. Many guests enjoy exploring Milan before starting the tour.
- Finish: The tour finishes in Nice, France.
- Nearest Airport: We recommend arriving via Milan Malpensa or Turin Airport and departing from Nice Airport for the most convenient travel.
- Top Tip: In the mountains, weather can change quickly - wear layers to stay comfortable and ready for anything.
- Average Age of Guest: 30-50 years old.
- Male vs Female %: Roughly balanced with a slight male majority.
| Where to Meet |
Please arrange to meet us at Torino (Porta Nuova) train station at 2pm on day 1. 24 hours before meeting we will contact you via WhatsApp to confirm the name of staff meeting you. |
|---|---|
| Drop off Location |
Following the conclusion of the tour we will assist you with planning and booking of onward travel. We will run one transfer to Nice Airport leaving the hotel at 10.30am. For other destinations or departure times, please contact us at alberto@italybiketours.com |
| Transfer Time |
Please consider eating lunch before we collect you from Torino. The transfer time from Torino train station to the first hotel is around 30 minutes. Transfer to Nice Airport on the last day is approximately 20 minutes. |
| Riding in the Alps |
The general road conditions in the Alps are very good but can be effected by weather events. One must consider that the roads are shared with car owners and bikers. For this reason some of our rides may start early when there is nobody on the mountains and weather cooler. |
| Cuisine |
From Piemonte’s truffle pasta and agnolotti to Nice’s socca and tartiflette, every meal celebrates local flavors. Pair each dish with homemade wines or craft beers for a truly memorable taste of the region. |
| Hotel Facilities |
The hotels on this tour have spas and we recommend bringing swimming costumes. Hotels also have laundry service, good WiFi and bar service. Hotels may charge extra for the use of these facilities. |
| Private Tours & Groups |
We welcome the opportunity to discuss a private tour with you should you be in a group of six or more. A private tour allows you to choose dates and personalize the itinerary according to your requirements. |
| Weather |
The mountains can be unpredictable and weather may change quickly. This is particularly the case in the afternoons when high pressure builds. Our experienced guides will amend rides, routes and timings to ensure you are riding in safe and hopefully sunny conditions. The average summer temperature can range from 18°C - 25°C (64°F - 77°F). |
| What Happens Next? |
Are you thinking about joining us? You probably have some questions! There are a number of ways to contact us. Email is best - we will reply within 24 hours. Please check your SPAM/JUNK folder should you not have received an email in this time. You can also find a contact form at the bottom of this page! |
Hotels
RELAIS BELLA ROSINA ★★★★
HOTEL NAPOLEON ★★★
HOTEL LE MONETIER ★★★★
RIFUGIO MEIRA GARNERI ★★★★
HOTEL LE LANTERNE ★★★
PURE MONTAGNE RESORT & SPA ★★★★
LES TERRASSES D'EZE ★★★★
You Might also like…
Get In Touch
If you would prefer to give us a call and talk cycling and Italy, please WhatsApp us on the number below and we will arrange a call back!
ITA: +39 320 638 4713
Or you can chat to us online by clicking the button at bottom right of page.
Drop us a direct email to: info@italybiketours.com
