FAQ

RivierAlp, the result of the European Interreg VI-A France-Italy ALCOTRA project, is a cross-border itinerary network between France and Italy, linking the Alps to the Mediterranean. With more than 430 km of walking and cycling routes, it takes you through valleys, villages and varied landscapes, in one or more stages. A blend of nature and heritage, it’s also a real outdoor destination, offering a wide range of outdoor sports in both summer and winter.

The route is organised around :

• 1 departure point: Limone Piemonte
• 3 arrival points: Menton, San Remo and Imperia
• Several entry points: Terme di Valdieri, Roccaforte Mondovì, Ormea, Chiusa di Pesio

Find all the practical information you need to organise your visit on the Getting here & getting around page.

Here you can view and download detailed maps of the route in digital format.

• Map of hiking routes
• Mountain bike route map

These are also available in paper form from all the tourist offices along the route.

The routes are available to download free of charge in GPX format on each hiking or mountain bike route page.
You can then consult the tracks via applications such as Komoot and outdooractive, on your smartphone or hiking GPS. It all depends on your level of knowledge, your budget and your use.
Don’t forget to consult the Safety and assistance page to prepare for using the tracks.

All routes are signposted. However, the signposting may vary depending on whether you are mountain biking or hiking and on the country you are crossing (France or Italy). To prepare yourself properly and anticipate these differences, we recommend that you consult the Safety & assistance page.

The ideal time to go hiking or cycling is from May to October, when the weather conditions are most favourable.

However, RivierAlp is an outdoor destination that can be enjoyed all year round, where you can climb, fly, canyoneer in the gorges and enjoy a wide range of experiences.

RivierAlp passes through several protected natural areas, including parks on the Italian and French sides, as well as Natura 2000 areas. The aim of these areas is to preserve the natural environment and the flora and fauna. Specific regulations therefore apply to each of them (bivouac, presence of dogs, fire, fishing, etc.). It’s essential to find out what’s going on before you leave and to respect the rules in force to preserve these fragile areas.

• Mercantour National Park
• Valleys of Wonders
• Ligurian Alps Natural Park
• Alpi Marittime Natural Park and Margareis Natural Park

RivierAlp offers mountain itineraries consisting mainly of natural trails (stone, earth, mud), with very few tarmac sections. A mountain bike, electrically assisted mountain bike (EABT) or gravel bike is essential for safe and comfortable riding. The routes are not suitable for road bikes or mountain bikes. Before setting off, don’t hesitate to consult the preparation advice!

The paths used by the routes are narrow, technical and unsurfaced. Trailers are not suitable. It is advisable to carry panniers on your bike.

The RivierAlp routes are aimed at riders with some experience of mountain biking in a natural environment. The technical level required to venture on RivierAlp is “initiated” whether you are a mountain biker, ATV rider or gravel rider… Assessing my level

As far as the daily distance is concerned, this varies considerably depending on your physical level, the terrain, the bike you are using (mountain bike or not) and the weather conditions. Here are some ranges (without eclectic assistance) of routes over a day depending on the mountain biker you are:

Beginner: Regular sports activity
< 25 km
< 600m D+ climb
< 1500m D-

Intermediate: Regular mountain biking
< 40 km
< 1200m D+
< 2500m D-

Advanced: Good physical condition and frequent mountain bike training
< 60 km
< 1600m D+
< 3000m D-

Expert: Very good physical condition and excellent mountain bike endurance
> 60 km
> 1600m D+
> 3500m D-

Upstream, find out about the itineraries and do some outings beforehand so that you can adapt the stages of your tour according to your level of fitness.

RivierAlp is made up of several nature parks and Natura 2000 areas with their own regulations, so many sections of the routes are not suitable for our companions. Here are the regulations in force for the various parks:

Mercantour National Park

Dogs, even if kept on a lead or carried, are prohibited in the Park, as you can see here.

However, the regulations provide for a derogation to this ban and authorise the presence of :

• Dogs used for the protection, control and surveillance of flocks;
• Dogs guiding blind people or assisting disabled people;
• Dogs belonging to residents of hamlets accessible by a vehicular route, if they are kept tethered or penned in the immediate vicinity of the buildings.

Alpi marittime and Margareis nature parks

Dogs in these parks must always be kept on a lead and their owners must have a muzzle so that they can put it on the animal if necessary. Dogs may only be walked in built-up areas, along municipal and provincial roads and on certain signposted footpaths.

• Download the map of routes permitted with dogs on leads in the Alpi Marittime Natural Park.
• Download the map of routes permitted with dogs on a lead in the Marguareis Nature Park.
• Dogs are not allowed in the Crava-Morozzo reserve.

RivierAlp is accessible to all levels, from beginner to expert. The important thing is to adapt your daily stages according to your level. There are many parameters to take into account:

Height difference, type of terrain, weight of rucksack, weather conditions, level of preparation and experience, your physical condition, your objective and your pace, the composition of the group, breaks and refreshments, etc.
Here’s a range based on the type of walker you are:

• Children: between 5 and 15 km per day, depending on your age, motivation and the difficulty of the terrain.
• Adult beginners: between 10 and 20 km, depending on your physical condition and the trail.
• Adults in good condition: between 20 and 30 km, with a moderate pace and regular breaks.
• Experts and experienced hikers: between 30 and 50 km, or even more depending on your training and the conditions.
• Ultra-randonneurs: up to 80 km, with a focus on performance and endurance.

Beforehand, find out about the itineraries and do some outings beforehand so that you can adapt the stages of your tour according to your fitness level.

All along the itineraries, you’ll find various options for spending the night:

• Mountain huts
• Hotels and bed and breakfasts
• Accredited accommodation (Accueil Vélo…)
• Tourist residences
• Hotel
• Campsite

To find out more, visit the accommodation page.

It is possible to bivouac on RivierAlp while respecting the environment, limiting your impact and being aware of the regulations:

Note: Camping, a prohibited practice, differs from bivouac in that the action takes place over several nights in the same place and without the installation (tent and any other shelter) being dismantled during the day.

In the Mercantour National Park: Camping prohibited, bivouac regulated. Bivouacs are permitted between 7pm and 9am, more than one hour’s walk inside the Park boundaries or from the last car access point.
Consequently, bivouacking in a camper van, caravan or roof tent is prohibited.

In the Alpi Marittime Natural Park: camping is permitted from one hour before sunset to one hour after sunrise.

In the Parco Naturale del Marguareis: camping with tents, caravans and camper vans is prohibited outside the areas designated by the Office, but it is possible to bivouac above 1500 metres, from the hour before sunset until the hour after sunrise.

Service providers are on hand throughout RivierAlp to support you before and during your tour. You can find :

• Hire of adapted bikes (mountain bikes, gravel bikes, electrically assisted bikes)
• Maintenance and repair services

To help you organise your itinerary, we recommend that you book in advance, especially during the high season.

Find the list of service providers here.

The RivierAlp Passport is a travel diary that accompanies you throughout your itinerary. It allows you to collect stamps at various points along the route (tourist offices, accommodation, partner venues) and keep a concrete record of your journey. Once you’ve collected all the stamps, you’ll receive a hamper filled with local specialities!

To find out how to obtain and use it, go to the RivierAlp Trail Passport page.

It is possible to transport your bike, but you will need to plan ahead depending on the mode of transport you choose.
By train

Not all trains (TER, regional or national trains) are equipped to carry bicycles, or may require special reservations. Remember to check the conditions with the operators:

• Conditions in France
• Conditions in Italy

From Nice, the Train des Merveilles allows bicycles to be carried.

By bus

On the French Riviera, Zest Bus line 25 takes you from Menton to Tende while carrying your bike.

By plane

Most airlines accept bicycles in the hold, subject to certain conditions. It is essential to check the conditions with your airline before departure.

Dedicated recharging points are available throughout the region, and can be found signposted along certain routes. You can also recharge your bike in certain villages, partner accommodation and refuges.

Don’t forget to bring your adapter, which is essential for plugging in.

Parking facilities are available throughout the RivierAlp area, particularly at the start, entry and finish points of the routes.

There are car parks in the main towns and villages, so you can leave your vehicle in peace for the duration of your itinerary.

Club RivierAlp outdoor is an official network of socio-professionals involved in welcoming visitors and providing services linked to outdoor activities.

By joining the club, you can become a key player in the RivierAlp destination and help promote sustainable, responsible tourism that is firmly rooted in the region. The club offers a range of benefits. Find out more on the RivierAlp Outdoor Club page.