How do I get to the start in Ormea for this cycling tour of Italy?

Ormea (736 metres) can be reached by car from Cuneo (approx. 1 hour) and from Savona (approx. 1 hour via the SP28). From France, Nice is the natural gateway via the Tende tunnel, with a connection at Cuneo. The town has all the services you need to start a cycling itinerary.

Where are the water refreshment points on this cycle route?

The Upper Tanaro Valley cycle path has fountains all along its 26.6 km route. Water points are then available at Ormea, Ponte di Nava, Upega and Piaggia. The most exposed section, with no guaranteed refreshments, is the climb between Upega and the Colletta delle Salsa. We advise you to set off with a sufficient supply of water from Upega.

What technical level do you need for this cycling tour of Italy?

This is one of RivierALP’s most accessible cycle routes in Italy. Most of the route (65%) is on asphalt or greenway, with no major technical difficulties. The S1 section is only between Margaria Binda and Piaggia, on a grassy mule track that requires moderate control of the bike. This itinerary is suitable for cyclists in good physical condition, even those with no experience of technical mountain biking.

Is this cycling route in Italy suitable for EVs?

Yes, and the EAB is particularly well suited to this cycle touring route , especially to help you climb the 1,936 metres of positive gradient on the ascent to the Colletta delle Salse. Most of the asphalt route is comfortable for an electric-assist bike. Make sure your battery is in good condition before setting off from Ormea, and don’t forget to check the recharging facilities at Upega or Piaggia if you are extending the route to Monesi di Triora.

Can we divide this cycling tour into several stages?

Yes, the route can be completed in a day by trained cyclists, but can easily be divided into two stages. The first stops at Piaggia (42 kilometres from Ormea), which offers accommodation and is a convenient stopover. The second day takes you to Monesi di Triora and then Margaria Loxe on the Alta Via del Sale, before continuing on to Sanremo or Imperia on RivierALP’s major itineraries.

When is the best time to take this cycling tour in Italy?

This route is suitable for most of the year, thanks to its moderate maximum altitude (1,650 metres). The ideal period is from April to November. In late spring and early summer (May-June), the “Garb d’la Fus” waterfall in the Gola delle Fascette is visible. This ephemeral natural spectacle is well worth the diversions. In winter, the highest stretches around the Colletta delle Salse may be covered in snow.

Does this route link up with other RivierALP cycling routes in Italy?

Yes, at Piaggia and Monesi di Triora, the route joins the sections coming from Rastello (Valle Ellero). The two routes also merge at the Gola delle Fascette. From Margaria Loxe on the Alta Via del Sale, there are connections to the cyclo rando between the Col de Tende – Sanremo and the mountain bike route to Imperia via the Colle di Nava . It is thus one of the three Piedmontese entry points to the destination, along with Pian delle Gorre (Pesio Valley) and Rastello (Ellero Valley).

Why is Ormea an ideal starting point for a cycling trip in Italy?

Ormea combines a number of rare assets for a cycling itinerary in Italy. Its dedicated cycle path means you can get off to a smooth start, without having to contend with city traffic. As for its medieval historic centre, it offers a well-deserved cultural break before the hard work. Not to mention its position at the confluence of several Alpine valleys (Tanaro, Pesio, Ellero), making it a natural crossroads for RivierALP’s major Piedmont and Ligurian itineraries.

What other cycling itineraries in Italy can you do from this area?

RivierALP offers several alternatives from the Upper Tanaro Valley. The road trip by bike from Rastello (Roccaforte Mondovì) to the High Salt Road is the closest and the most technically demanding (S3, 41.5 kilometres). The Pian delle Gorre – Haute Route du Sel itinerary from the Pesio valley offers a similar experience through fir forests (S2, 15 kilometres). And for cyclists wishing to continue towards the sea from Piaggia, the cyclo randos to Sanremo (99.7 kilometres) or Imperia (91 kilometres) are the main itineraries of the destination.

What landscapes can you see on this cycling itinerary in Italy?

What makes this cycling itinerary in Italy particularly remarkable is the diversity of the landscapes you cross in just 48 kilometres. The journey begins in the Upper Tanaro Valley, between hills and villages. The route then climbs through pine and larch forests, before turning into the karst world of the Gola delle Fascette and its impressive gorges. At each stage, the scenery changes, the gradient climbs and Italy reveals itself a little more as the kilometres go by!

Is it possible to organise a cycling trip in Italy for several nights around this route?

Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to enjoy this cycling itinerary in Italy. A first night in Ormea allows you to discover its historic centre before setting off. A second night in Piaggia or Upega, halfway between the hills of Piedmont and the Ligurian peaks, offers total immersion in the world of Brigasque hamlets. A journey within a journey!

Cycling itinerary in Italy

Ormea, Piaggia and Haute Route du Sel itinerary

From Ormea to Via del Sale

For fans of cycling routes in Italy who don’t want to limit themselves to coastal roads, this RivierALP route through the Upper Tanaro Valley is a revelation. From the Ormea cycle path, the route climbs steadily towards the karstic gorges of the Gola delle Fascette, at an altitude of over 1,650 metres. The route passes through the charming hamlets of Upega and Piaggia. For almost 48 kilometres, you’re in for a real journey through the picturesque landscapes of Liguria. Saddle up!

See the gpx route

Ormea - Piaggia - Haute Route du Sel :the MTB(AE) trail in figures

47.9 kilometres

Ascent: 1,936 metres
Negative ascent: 833 metres

By bike: Mountain bike(AE)/VAE

Difficulty: Level S1

Surface :

35% dirt roads / 65% asphalt

Cycle route from Ormea From Ormea to the Haute Route du Sel: a remarkable cycling tour in Italy

The adventure begins in the pretty village of Ormea. And what better way to warm up than by taking the shady green route along the banks of the Tanaro? The tone is set on the banks of the river: it’s going to be a refreshing walk! And you’d better make the most of this gentle interlude, because the gradient starts to climb just afterwards. This is the time to take on the limestone walls of the Mongioie (2,630 metres) and Marguareis (2,651 metres), which frame the route beautifully. As for the Gola delle Fascette and its 600-metre-long gorge, it’s sure to be a sight to behold. As will the charming Piedmontese village of Upega with its wooden balconies, and the Coletta delle Salse in the coniferous forests.

At Piaggia, a strategic crossroads between Val Tanaro, Val Roya and Valle Argentina, the Haute Route du Sel is just a few kilometres away. And the iodised landscapes of the Mediterranean are not much further away. More than just a cycling tour in Italy, this is a real journey awaiting you!

Itinerary detailsOrmea - Piaggia - Via del Sale

StartTende

ArrivalMenton

This cycling itinerary in Italy is ideally completed in a day by trained cyclists. However, if you want to take your time, you can spend the night in Piaggia (around 40 kilometres from the start) before heading for Monesi di Triora and the Alta Via del Sale the following day.

Cultural heritage to see

From medieval Ormea to the hamlets of Briga Alta

Get ready: this cycling tour doesn’t just take you through some of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes. It will also take you through centuries of history. And Ormea sets the tone right from the start. Not only was this Alpine village inhabited by the Ligurians over 2,000 years ago, but it was also marked by the passage of the Saracens in the 10th century. It was not until the 19th century that the area was transformed into a spa.

Further up the valley, the village of Upega is also well worth a visit. And not just for its five-storey wooden balconies or its ciappe roofs, typical of Liguria. But also for its peaceful atmosphere, which makes you want to take a break between two climbs.

Ormea, the pearl of the Ligurian Alps

Before setting off on this cycle route, take the time to look up. Ormea deserves more than just a passing glance! Its heart-shaped historic centre is one of the most beautiful in the entire Upper Tanaro Valley. Ligurians, Romans and Saracens have all left their mark here. In the 19th century, it was the aristocracy who settled here, attracted by the spa and a brand new railway line. Its viaduct, a veritable Belle Époque monument, bears witness to this!

Ormea is also the ideal starting point for cyclists. With accommodation, restaurants and small shops, you can take advantage of all the services you need before setting off on your cycling trip. So you can set off on your assault on the Upper Tanaro Valley with a clear head.

Testimonial

“The Tanaro cycle path at the start of the route is a delight. It’s shady, quiet and beside the river. And then gradually, the scenery becomes more dramatic. The Mongioie that rises up in front of you on the bends towards Viozene, the Gola delle Fascette and its impressive waterfall, Upega and its wooden balconies… You don’t expect all that on an S1 route. What struck me most was Piaggia at the finish. 40 inhabitants, an incredible history linked to the treaty of 1947, and the sensation of being at a crossroads between several worlds. From there, the Haute Route du Sel doesn’t seem so far away.

– Élodie, touring hiker, full itinerary completed in February

View scrollytelling

Everything you need to know about your cyclo tour between Ormea, Piaggia and the Haute Route du Sel

How do I get to the start in Ormea for this cycling tour of Italy?
Where are the water refreshment points on this cycle route?
What technical level do you need for this cycling tour of Italy?
This is one of RivierALP’s most accessible cycle routes in Italy. Most of the route (65%) is on asphalt or greenway, with no major technical difficulties. The S1 section is only between Margaria Binda and Piaggia, on a grassy mule track that requires moderate control of the bike. This itinerary is suitable for cyclists in good physical condition, even those with no experience of technical mountain biking.
Is this cycling route in Italy suitable for EVs?
Yes, and the EAB is particularly well suited to this cycle touring route, especially to help you climb the 1,936 metres of positive gradient on the ascent to the Colletta delle Salse. Most of the asphalt route is comfortable for an electric-assist bike. Make sure your battery is in good condition before setting off from Ormea, and don’t forget to check the recharging facilities at Upega or Piaggia if you are extending the route to Monesi di Triora.
Can we divide this cycling tour into several stages?
When is the best time to take this cycling tour in Italy?
This route is suitable for most of the year, thanks to its moderate maximum altitude (1,650 metres). The ideal period is from April to November. In late spring and early summer (May-June), the “Garb d’la Fus” waterfall in the Gola delle Fascette is visible. This ephemeral natural spectacle is well worth the diversions. In winter, the highest stretches around the Colletta delle Salse may be covered in snow.
Does this route link up with other RivierALP cycling routes in Italy?
Yes, at Piaggia and Monesi di Triora, the route joins the sections coming from Rastello (Valle Ellero). The two routes also merge at the Gola delle Fascette. From Margaria Loxe on the Alta Via del Sale, there are connections to the cyclo rando between the Col de Tende – Sanremo and the mountain bike route to Imperia via the Colle di Nava. It is thus one of the three Piedmontese entry points to the destination, along with Pian delle Gorre (Pesio Valley) and Rastello (Ellero Valley).
Why is Ormea an ideal starting point for a cycling trip in Italy?
Ormea combines a number of rare assets for a cycling itinerary in Italy. Its dedicated cycle path means you can get off to a smooth start, without having to contend with city traffic. As for its medieval historic centre, it offers a well-deserved cultural break before the hard work. Not to mention its position at the confluence of several Alpine valleys (Tanaro, Pesio, Ellero), making it a natural crossroads for RivierALP’s major Piedmont and Ligurian itineraries.
What other cycling itineraries in Italy can you do from this area?
RivierALP offers several alternatives from the Upper Tanaro Valley. The road trip by bike from Rastello (Roccaforte Mondovì) to the High Salt Road is the closest and the most technically demanding (S3, 41.5 kilometres). The Pian delle Gorre – Haute Route du Sel itinerary from the Pesio valley offers a similar experience through fir forests (S2, 15 kilometres). And for cyclists wishing to continue towards the sea from Piaggia, the cyclo randos to Sanremo (99.7 kilometres) or Imperia (91 kilometres) are the main itineraries of the destination.
What landscapes can you see on this cycling itinerary in Italy?
What makes this cycling itinerary in Italy particularly remarkable is the diversity of the landscapes you cross in just 48 kilometres. The journey begins in the Upper Tanaro Valley, between hills and villages. The route then climbs through pine and larch forests, before turning into the karst world of the Gola delle Fascette and its impressive gorges. At each stage, the scenery changes, the gradient climbs and Italy reveals itself a little more as the kilometres go by!
Is it possible to organise a cycling trip in Italy for several nights around this route?