Itinerary Col de Tende to Sanremo

Water is available all along the route, but not in abundance: always bring a sufficient supply at the start of each section. The main refreshment points are the Don Barbera refuge, Piaggia, Monesi, the La Terza refuge, the Allavena refuge at Colla Melosa, then Bajardo and San Romolo before the finish in Sanremo.

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). The Cuneo – Ventimiglia line accepts bicycles on certain trains: check the Trenitalia timetable before departure. If you want to avoid the climb to the Col de Tende, shuttle services start directly at 1,871 metres altitude, at the foot of the Via del Sale.

Sanremo is served by the Ventimiglia – Genoa coastal railway line. Frequent trains take you to Nice in less than an hour via Ventimiglia, or to Turin via Genoa. Sanremo station is just a few minutes from the seafront cycle path, the natural terminus of this cyclo rando. Check with Trenitalia for details of how to board your bike.

This cycle-touring route is designed for trained and well-equipped cyclists. The first part (Limone – Colla Melosa) is graded S0/S1 and is accessible to any cyclist in good physical condition. The second part, particularly around the Allavena refuge and the descent from Monte Bignone to Sanremo, is rated S2/S3 and requires a good command of technical downhill mountain biking. Less experienced cyclists can divide the route into three stages to make it more accessible.

Yes, and the VTTAE is particularly well-suited to this route, especially for absorbing the 2,391 metres of positive gradient. The Allavena refuge at Colla Melosa has a charging point for electric bikes, a strategic point halfway along the route. Take a spare battery with you, or check out the additional recharging facilities at Piaggia or Monesi for the first part of the route.

Yes, there are two options. Two stages (for experienced cyclists): overnight stay at the Allavena refuge in Colla Melosa. In three stages (more accessible): first night in a refuge near Mont Saccarello or with a descent to Piaggia, second night at the Allavena refuge in Colla Melosa. In all cases, advance booking is essential in July and August.

June to October. Before June, there may still be patches of snow on sections above 2,000 metres, particularly at Colletto Campanin. July and August offer optimum conditions, but huts fill up quickly at weekends. September remains the best time to combine practicability, low visitor numbers and exceptional autumn colours in the Bosco delle Navette.

Bajardo is one of the most unusual stops on this cycle tour. This medieval village 851 metres above sea level is home to the Chiesa Vecchia di San Niccolò, whose roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1887 (a tragedy that killed 226 worshippers). Today, the Roman columns create a unique atmosphere filled with Celtic history and mystery. A cultural break before the final descent to Sanremo.

At Margaria Loxe, the mountain bike route intersects with the section to Imperia, the other major Ligurian outlet for the RivierALP destination. Heading northwards, you’ll find connections to the Don Barbera refuge, at the crossroads of the Haute Route du Sel, and the stages to the Mercantour park and the thermal baths in Italy at Valdieri. RivierALP makes it easy to discover France andItaly by bike, or to set off on a cycling road trip.

From Limone Piemonte, RivierALP offers two other great cycling routes. The route to Imperia (91km) follows the same Via del Sale as far as Margaria Loxe, then switches to Colle di Nava and the mule tracks of Dolcedo. This is the most technically demanding route in the network. On the pedestrian side, the Limone Piemonte – Menton crossing (124 km, 8 stages) is RivierALP’s flagship route for hikers.

For a crossing of this scale (100 km, mixed terrain between dirt tracks and technical trails), the choice of accessories makes all the difference. On the bike, opt for high-volume tyres (2.4 to 2.6 inches) to absorb the shocks on the karst sections and mule tracks. Check your lighting before you set off: the tunnels of the Bosco delle Navette and the mountain refuges require early-morning starts, when a strong light is essential. Don’t forget to equip your handlebars with a waterproof GPS support; the junctions between the RivierALP stages (particularly at Margaria Loxe) require reliable track reading. A bell is compulsory on stages shared with hikers. Finally, a complete repair kit (spare tube, patches, tyre levers, multi-tool) should be slipped into your bag before you even think about your personal belongings.

Bikepacking is the ideal format for this itinerary: light, compact, with no trailer to penalise the technical descents to Sanremo. The classic distribution for bike trips is still the most effective. A handlebar bag for quick-access items (windbreaker, snacks, documents), a frame bag for heavy accessories (tools, spare battery for mountain bikes), and a saddle bag for clothes and sleeping bag if you’re spending the night in a refuge. Be sure to balance the volume between the front and rear of the bike to maintain manoeuvrability on the S2/S3 sections. For overnight stays in refuges, you can keep your kit to a minimum: the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) and La Terza refuges provide sheets and blankets. On the other hand, a large insulated water bottle is essential; there are plenty of water points along the route between Margaria Loxe and Colla Melosa.

In addition to the basic kit, a few bike accessories can make all the difference on a route as technical as this one. A GPS reader or handlebar mount with smartphone is highly recommended, especially on the junctions of the second stage (Bajardo, San Romolo, Monte Bignone) where the signposting can be discontinuous. As for the saddle, choose an ergonomic model suited to long days: with more than 4,000 metres of negative gradient, repeated support on the descents puts a heavy strain on the hamstrings. For the VTTAE, pack a compact travel charger and check the remaining power before each section. Finally, keep a light rain jacket and insulated leggings in your saddlebags until you reach Bajardo: above 2,000 metres on the Via del Sale, weather conditions can change rapidly, even in the middle of summer.