A 5-day guided gravel bike tour that does something no beach holiday ever could—it takes you from the roof of the French Alps all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea. Starting high in the Mercantour National Park and riding point to point toward the coast, each day trades altitude for a different kind of beauty: alpine passes, deep valleys, perched villages, and finally the glittering blue of the Côte d'Azur. Challenging, scenic, and fully sorted—with a certified guide, a mechanic, and all meals included throughout.
We meet at Nice train station or airport at 4 pm for a transfer up to our base camp—a charming inn perched in the Mercantour mountains. After settling in and getting the bikes adjusted, the evening is warm and social: a first dinner together and a briefing on what’s ahead. The mountains are already all around you, and the adventure starts tomorrow.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Mountain inn, Mercantour National Park
From the village of Saint-Dalmas-de-Selvage, we set off into the wild atmosphere of the Mercantour on a loop that climbs all the way to the Cime de la Bonette—at 2,802 m, the highest paved road in France. The ascent winds through larch forests, alpine meadows, and increasingly rocky, mineral terrain, with views opening over the Tinée Valley and the border peaks as we climb. At the top, the landscape turns almost lunar: ridgelines, silence, and a 360° horizon that goes on forever. The descent brings us back to Saint-Dalmas through the same alpine scenery, now flowing and breathtaking in a different way.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 43 km (27 mi)
Elevation: +1,320 m (+4,331 ft)
Accommodation: Mountain inn, Mercantour National Park
The first point-to-point stage, and the real adventure begins. From the Roubion resort, we ride through the Tinée Valley toward Roquebillière, passing through charming mountain villages—Marie, Clans, La Tour—before pushing into the Brasque gorges and a steady climb to a breathtaking viewpoint deep in the Mercantour. We roll into Roquebillière for a well-earned beer on a terrace, then transfer by van to our base camp in Belvédère, tucked into the Gordolasque Valley, for a friendly and restorative evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 80 km (50 mi)
Elevation: +2,050 m (+6,726 ft)
Accommodation: Base camp, Belvédère, Gordolasque Valley
Into the Vésubie Valley today—keep your eyes open, as wildlife is abundant in this pristine stretch of the Mercantour. The day begins with a scenic descent before a climb to the Turini Pass via the Malagrata gravel track, with a refreshment stop at the summit and more sweeping views from the valley highlands. We pass through Peira Cava and other mountain villages before ending the day in Levens, the last village in the hills above Nice. In the evening, a Niçoise celebration closes out the adventure in the mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 74 km (46 mi)
Elevation: +2,280 m (+7,480 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel in Levens
The final day—and the payoff. From Levens, we ride gravel tracks with panoramic views across the Côte d’Azur, winding through the perched villages east of Nice and down toward the sea. The route is shorter and more relaxed, giving plenty of time to soak in the last stretches of riding before the Mediterranean comes into view. We celebrate with a brunch at the Café du Cycliste, one of the most iconic cycling spots on the Riviera, before drop-off at Nice train station or airport at 4 pm.
Meals: Breakfast, brunch
Cycling: 39 km (24 mi)
Elevation: +730 m (+2,395 ft)
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
To join this bike tour near Nice, great fitness is required, along with some experience riding a bike—gravel-specific experience is not necessary.
This is a relatively demanding trip, with up to 80 km (50 mi) of cycling per day and up to 2,280 m (7,480 ft) of elevation gain on the hardest stage. The trip is built around a supportive, non-competitive spirit: we start together and we finish together. E-gravel bikes are available to rent for those who want the extra boost.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more bike tours in France here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!
Not at all. No gravel-specific experience is needed to join this Andalucia cycling tour—your guides welcome cyclists of all backgrounds, as long as you’re comfortable on a bike and up for the adventure.
The itinerary is designed to be accessible, the group sets a shared pace, and your guides are on hand the whole time to support and adjust as needed. If you prefer, you can also rent an e-gravel bike at checkout, which takes the edge off longer climbs without taking anything away from the experience.
Yes—your guides offer premium gravel and e-gravel bike rentals for riders who don’t have their own, would rather skip the hassle of bringing one to Switzerland, or simply want to try something new.
Generally, the following models are used: the lightweight Graxx GTO (8.1 kg) and the Help e-gravel (12 kg). Rental bikes are meticulously maintained and set up for your comfort. You can add a rental to your booking at checkout.
Group sizes and pricing
Bike tours in Nice, France can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this bike tour in Nice, France is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. Leave us a note at checkout if interested.
The starting and finishing point of this bike tour is Nice, on the French Riviera. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) is well connected to major European hubs, and Nice is also served by direct TGV high-speed trains from Paris and other major French cities.
You will meet your guide at Nice train station or airport at 4 pm on Day 1 for a transfer up to the base camp in the mountains. A return transfer back to Nice train station or airport is included on Day 5, with drop-off at 4 pm.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.