How do I get to the start in Limone Piemonte?

Limone Piemonte is accessible by train from Turin (about 1? hours via Cuneo) and directly from Cuneo (30 minutes). From France, Nice is the natural gateway via the Tende tunnel (1h30 by car). Limone station is also a great place to bring your bikes, thanks to the dedicated spaces on the Cuneo – Ventimiglia line.

Where are the water refreshment points on the route?

Water points are scattered throughout the route: Panice Soprana (1,400 metres), refuge Don Barbera, Piaggia, Monesi, refuge La Terza, then Tavole, Valloria, Dolcedo and Imperia. However, be sure to set off with sufficient reserves, particularly for the exposed sections at altitude between Margaria Loxe and the Col Garezzo.

How do I get back from Imperia at the end of the route?

Imperia Oneglia station is served by the Ventimiglia – Genoa coastal railway line (Trenitalia ). There are frequent trains to Nice in less than an hour via Ventimiglia (TER SUD Provence Alpes Côte D’Azur (ZOU) ), or to Turin via Genoa. The station accepts bicycles depending on timetables and rolling stock; remember to check Trenitalia conditions before departure.

How fit do you need to be to complete this cycling route between the Col de Tende and Imperia?

This cycling route is reserved for experienced cyclists. The first stage (Limone – Margaria Loxe, 37.1 km) is rated S0 and is accessible to all cyclists in good physical condition. The second stage (Margaria Loxe – Imperia, 52.4 km) is classified S2 with short S3 sections, particularly on the technical mule tracks between the Garezzo pass and Tavole. A good command of downhill mountain biking on stony terrain is essential. Although the vast majority of the route is downhill, this crossing between the Col de Tende and Imperia requires very good physical condition, especially on the first stage. With more than 1,600 metres of ascent, sections at altitude and technical sections in Liguria, the effort is sustained over two days. On a mountain bike(AE), the experience is more accessible, but you still need to be capable of putting in several hours in the saddle on mountainous terrain. For a biker in good physical shape, the daily average is between 40 and 50 kilometres, depending on technical level and breaks.

Can you do this route on an electrically-assisted mountain bike (VTT AE)?

Yes, an electrically-assisted mountain bike is particularly well-suited to this route, especially for coping with the 1,614 metres of ascent on the first stage. Take a spare battery with you, or check out the recharging facilities along the way. The Don Barbera refuge and the Piaggia and Monesi accommodation can be used as recharging points for the intermediate night.

Where can you spend the night between the two stages on this route?

There are several options around Margaria Loxe (1,850 metres). The private La Terza refuge and the CAI Sanremo T. Gauzzi refuge are close by. Those who prefer more comfort can descend to Piaggia (8 km) or Monesi di Triora, which offer better-equipped accommodation. Advance booking is essential in July and August.

What's the best time of year to cycle this route?

June to October. Before June, there may still be patches of snow on sections above 2,000 metres, particularly around Colletto Campanin and Pertega. In July and August, conditions are ideal, but mountain huts fill up quickly at weekends. September offers an excellent compromise between practicability and reasonable visitor numbers.

Why is the Colle di Nava an emblematic stage on this mountain bike route between the Alps and Italy?

Colle di Nava is a pass in the province of Imperia (934 metres) on the SS28, a historic pass between Piedmont and Liguria. Its nineteenth-century military forts (Forte Pozzanghi, Forte Montescio) bear witness to its strategic role in the defence of the Ligurian Alps. On this route, it marks the transition between the technical sections of the high mountains and the final descent to the Imperia hinterland and its mule tracks.

Can this cycle route link up with other stages of the RivierALP?

Yes, at Margaria Loxe, the route intersects with the itinerary to Sanremo, the other major Ligurian outlet of the RivierALP. Heading northwards, the route joins the stages to the Don Barbera refuge, crossroads of the Haute Route du Sel, and the connections to the Mercantour park and the thermal baths in Italy at Valdieri. RivierALP makes it possible to put together tailor-made crossings between France and Italy, from the Maritime Alps to the Ligurian Sea.

What other walks or cycle routes are there in the region?

RivierALP offers several alternatives from Limone Piemonte. The route to Sanremo (96.5 km) is the best known on the Ligurian side. On the pedestrian side, the major Limone Piemonte – Menton crossing (124 km, 8 stages) is the destination’s flagship itinerary. For a shorter itinerary, the route between Ormea and the Ormea rock, in the Tanaro valley, is a great alternative for cyclists wishing to discover the inland Piedmont.

Is this route suitable for a cycle tourism project between the Alps and the Mediterranean?

Yes, this route fits perfectly into a cycle touring adventure in France between the Southern Alps and the Ligurian coast. Thanks to the proximity of Nice, the Tende tunnel and the rail links between France and Italy, it’s possible to organise a real cross-border cyclo rando over several days. Many cyclists use the Via Marenca and the Colle di Nava as a link between the French Alpine routes and the major Italian cycling routes along the Ligurian Sea.

Why is this cycling route in Italy ideal for a cycling road trip?

This cycling itinerary in Italy offers a particularly complete experience for cycling road trip enthusiasts. In just two stages, you’ll cross Alpine landscapes, military trails, medieval villages, historic mountain passes and the Mediterranean coastline of Imperia. The variety of terrain, the alternation between high mountains and seaside, and the many accommodation options make this an Italian cycling itinerary perfectly suited to travellers looking for a sporty and relaxing touring adventure.

The highest MTB(AE) descent in RivierALP

Itinerary Col de Tende to Imperia

From Via Marenca to Colle di Nava, all the way to the Ligurian Sea

From the heights of the Col de Tende (1,870 metres above sea level) to the superb beaches of Imperia, via the cycle path of the Riviera dei Fiori, this route takes us from our heads in the clouds to our feet in the sand. For over 90 kilometres, the historic Via Marenca, literally “the road that leads to the sea”, links the peaks of Piedmont to the Ligurian Sea, crossing two nature parks, the karstic paths of the Marguareis, the airy ridge of Mount Saccarello and the medieval facades of Dolcedo. More than just a mountain bike route, it’s a must-try experience at RivierALP!

See the gpx route

Col de Tende to Imperia :mountain biking (AE) in figures

91 kilometres

Ascent: 1,614 metres
Negative ascent: 3,480 metres

By bike: mountain bikes

Difficulty: S3, experienced cyclists

2 possible stages

Surface :

75% dirt road / 10% asphalt / 5% cycle path / 10% technical paths

The Via Marenca to Imperia Col de Tende to Imperia: the great descent of the Via Marenca to the sea

This itinerary is RivierALP’s longest cycling route and the second longest on the Ligurian side, after Sanremo. But it’s also by far the most technically demanding. From the Col de Tende, the military road climbs through the ski resorts of Limone Piemonte, plunges into the Marguareis Natural Park and its spectacular karst landscapes, before reaching the 2,235 metre-high Pertega. A vertiginous tipping point that makes the experience all the more remarkable!

At Margaria Loxe (1,850 metres), the strategic crossroads of the route, there are two roads open to cyclists: Sanremo to the west, or Imperia to the south-east. The second option takes you along Mount Saccarello, the highest peak in Liguria (2,200 metres), past Christ the Redeemer, along the Via Marenca and across the Colle di Nava before turning off onto the stone mule tracks of Dolcedo and Valloria. The tour ends on the award-winning Riviera dei Fiori cycle path, between the restored railway tunnels and the beaches of Imperia. A route that retraces more than 2,000 years of the history of the Ligurian Alps over more than 90 kilometres.

Itinerary detailsCol de Tende to Imperia

Randonnée VTT(AE) : Col de Tende (Limone Piemonte) - Imperia

DépartCol de Tende

StageCol de Tende → Imperia

ArrivéeImperia

The cycling itinerary can be divided into two stages, depending on your level, between Limone and Margaria Loxe (37.1 kilometres), with an overnight stay in a refuge near Monte Saccarello, and then on to Imperia (52.4 kilometres).

Cultural heritage to see

From the Roman road to the painted gates of Valloria

The route from the Col de Tende to Imperia is as much a journey through history as it is a sporting achievement. The Via Marenca, which is used for much of the route, is not just a track. It’s a network of paths used since Roman times, reinforced by Charlemagne and then transformed between 1938 and 1939 by the Royal Army into a military road as part of the Vallo Alpino Occidentale. Cycling here is like exploring two millennia of history through the exchanges between the Alps and the Mediterranean.

Colle di Nava, a pass in the province of Imperia on the SS28, marks an important transition in the landscape and history of the route. Its nineteenth-century military forts (Forte Pozzanghi, Forte Montescio) bear witness to the strategic role of this pass between Piedmont and Liguria. Further down, Valloria is one of the most unusual sights on the route. This small inland village has transformed more than 150 of its gates into canvases painted by artists from all over the world, creating an open-air museum that has literally saved the village from abandonment. Dolcedo, an ancient medieval town that became independent in 1238, concludes this cultural journey amid the olive groves of Oliva Taggiasca.

The Riviera dei Fiori cycle path: arriving with great fanfare

After 85 kilometres of dirt roads, technical trails and Alpine passes, the Riviera dei Fiori cycle path is one of the most enjoyable finishes on the RivierALP. Built on the old coastal railway line, which has been rehabilitated into a 32-kilometre flat route, it faces the sea and links Ospedaletti to Imperia, passing through Sanremo and Arma di Taggia.

Did you know? In 2025, the route won theItalian Green Road Award, the Oscar for sustainable Italian cycle tourism. The final descent to the beaches of Imperia is punctuated by a succession of restored railway tunnels offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. From Dolcedo, take the quiet Via Clavi to the sferisterio, then the track takes over to the water’s edge. For a cyclist who has crossed the Alps from the Col de Tende, there’s something magical about seeing the sea stretching out on the horizon. It’s the kind of moment that makes you say: “This mountain bike route was worth it!

Testimonial

“I was looking for a mountain bike itinerary that was out of the ordinary, not a one-day loop, but something that would really make an impression. The Limone Piemonte to Imperia route is exactly that. You start in the ski resort, climb the Via Marenca to over 2,000 metres, and begin a descent that will last two days. The Marguareis Park, with its karstic lapiaz, the Colle di Nava and its military forts, Valloria and its 150 painted gates, Dolcedo and its stone mule tracks through olive groves… The landscape and history change with every kilometre. The second stage (S2/S3) is technically demanding, and you have to be honest with yourself about your level. But arriving on the cycle path of the Riviera dei Fiori, with the Ligurian Sea in front of you after all that… it’s one of those finishes that you don’t talk about, you relive.”

– Antoine, experienced biker, full itinerary completed in September

Everything you need to know about your mountain bike tour between the Col de Tende and Imperia

How do I get to the start in Limone Piemonte?
Where are the water refreshment points on the route?
How do I get back from Imperia at the end of the route?
How fit do you need to be to complete this cycling route between the Col de Tende and Imperia?
This cycling route is reserved for experienced cyclists. The first stage (Limone – Margaria Loxe, 37.1 km) is rated S0 and is accessible to all cyclists in good physical condition. The second stage (Margaria Loxe – Imperia, 52.4 km) is classified S2 with short S3 sections, particularly on the technical mule tracks between the Garezzo pass and Tavole. A good command of downhill mountain biking on stony terrain is essential. Although the vast majority of the route is downhill, this crossing between the Col de Tende and Imperia requires very good physical condition, especially on the first stage. With more than 1,600 metres of ascent, sections at altitude and technical sections in Liguria, the effort is sustained over two days. On a mountain bike(AE), the experience is more accessible, but you still need to be capable of putting in several hours in the saddle on mountainous terrain. For a biker in good physical shape, the daily average is between 40 and 50 kilometres, depending on technical level and breaks.
Can you do this route on an electrically-assisted mountain bike (VTT AE)?
Where can you spend the night between the two stages on this route?
What's the best time of year to cycle this route?
Why is the Colle di Nava an emblematic stage on this mountain bike route between the Alps and Italy?
Colle di Nava is a pass in the province of Imperia (934 metres) on the SS28, a historic pass between Piedmont and Liguria. Its nineteenth-century military forts (Forte Pozzanghi, Forte Montescio) bear witness to its strategic role in the defence of the Ligurian Alps. On this route, it marks the transition between the technical sections of the high mountains and the final descent to the Imperia hinterland and its mule tracks.
Can this cycle route link up with other stages of the RivierALP?
Yes, at Margaria Loxe, the route intersects with the itinerary to Sanremo, the other major Ligurian outlet of the RivierALP. Heading northwards, the route joins the stages to the Don Barbera refuge, crossroads of the Haute Route du Sel, and the connections to the Mercantour park and the thermal baths in Italy at Valdieri. RivierALP makes it possible to put together tailor-made crossings between France and Italy, from the Maritime Alps to the Ligurian Sea.
What other walks or cycle routes are there in the region?
RivierALP offers several alternatives from Limone Piemonte. The route to Sanremo (96.5 km) is the best known on the Ligurian side. On the pedestrian side, the major Limone Piemonte – Menton crossing (124 km, 8 stages) is the destination’s flagship itinerary. For a shorter itinerary, the route between Ormea and the Ormea rock, in the Tanaro valley, is a great alternative for cyclists wishing to discover the inland Piedmont.
Is this route suitable for a cycle tourism project between the Alps and the Mediterranean?
Yes, this route fits perfectly into a cycle touring adventure in France between the Southern Alps and the Ligurian coast. Thanks to the proximity of Nice, the Tende tunnel and the rail links between France and Italy, it’s possible to organise a real cross-border cyclo rando over several days. Many cyclists use the Via Marenca and the Colle di Nava as a link between the French Alpine routes and the major Italian cycling routes along the Ligurian Sea.
Why is this cycling route in Italy ideal for a cycling road trip?
This cycling itinerary in Italy offers a particularly complete experience for cycling road trip enthusiasts. In just two stages, you’ll cross Alpine landscapes, military trails, medieval villages, historic mountain passes and the Mediterranean coastline of Imperia. The variety of terrain, the alternation between high mountains and seaside, and the many accommodation options make this an Italian cycling itinerary perfectly suited to travellers looking for a sporty and relaxing touring adventure.