Italian Alps Cycling Tours
Western Alps Bike Tour
In the heart of the Occitan Valleys, you’ll find some of the most breathtaking gravel bike roads in all of Europe. Thanks to the historic military border roads between Piedmont and France, dating back to the 1600s, you can ride along high-altitude routes soaring above 8,200 feet (2,500 meters).
You will also follow in the footsteps of ancient Alpine merchants who once carried salt from the Ligurian Sea to Switzerland and Germany, crossing rugged, yet spectacular, mountain paths.
This tour offers a network of challenging and unforgettable routes—perfect for those who crave adventure in the stunning Western Alps.
Why Choose a Cycling Holiday in the Occitan Valleys
A cycling holiday in the Occitan Valleys, nestled between Italy and France, offers a perfect mix of adventure, history, and unspoiled landscapes. This lesser-known gem of the Western Alps is a paradise for cyclists, with winding mountain roads, breathtaking alpine passes, and quiet valleys steeped in Occitan culture. Routes like Colle dell’Agnello, Col de la Lombarde, and Colle di Tenda provide epic climbs and sweeping views, making every ride a true adventure.
The Occitan Valleys cater to all types of cyclists. Whether you’re seeking challenging ascents through high-altitude landscapes or peaceful rides through medieval villages and lush meadows, there’s something for every cyclist. Carefully designed tours, high-quality E-Bikes, and knowledgeable local guides ensure a smooth and rewarding experience, allowing you to fully enjoy the journey.
Cycling here is more than just riding—it’s an immersion into a unique cultural heritage. You’ll discover ancient Occitan traditions, savor local mountain cuisine, and unwind in cozy alpine accommodations. After a day of cycling through rugged peaks and serene valleys, you can relax while soaking in the breathtaking surroundings. It’s an unforgettable adventure where nature, history, and cycling come together in perfect harmony.
Daily itineraries
Tours Calendar
Sunday 27th July – Thursday 1st August PRIVATE
Single accommodation 7,850.00 USD
Double accommodation 6,550.00 USD
If you do not find the tour you are interested in, no problem. We can organize a PRIVATE TOUR just for you.
The tour will be tailored to your needs, and together we can define, for each detail of the tour, the best solution for you. Below are the most common customizations requested by our guests:
- TOUR DESTINATION: In addition to the destinations in our catalog, we can create new itineraries in Italy and Southern France or customize an itinerary according to your preferences.
- PERIOD: We can organize your tour for any period you want, starting and ending on the dates you choose.
- PARTICIPANTS: Our tours require a minimum of 6 participants and can accommodate up to 14. If your group size is smaller or larger, we can arrange a customized tour to fit your needs.
- TOUR DIFFICULTY: We offer two tours of varying difficulty levels each day. If they are not challenging enough, we can design a more demanding route in terms of length and elevation changes.
- HOLIDAYS FOR NON-CYCLING GUESTS: Non-cycling guests are welcome. We can plan activities and excursions for them with a dedicated guide while the cycling group is on tour.
By filling out the form, you will allow us to begin the customization process for your tour.
Excursions
Don’t you want to get bored?
The bike tours we have prepared will keep you busy from morning to early afternoon, once you return to the hotel you can choose whether to wait for dinner time in complete relaxation, or follow your guides in some interesting experiences that they have prepared for you.
They are committed, every day they offer you a different experience, you will love it for sure !!!
This itinerary highlights the salient and evocative places of Cuneo.
Religious institutions stand out such as the ancient church of Santa Maria del Bosco, the parish of Santa Maria della Pieve, formerly the Jesuit church, the brotherhoods of Santa Croce and San Sebastiano, and the most important noble palaces.
Don’t miss a walk in Piazza Galimberti, in the city center of Cuneo.
Dominated by Albertino fort, Vinadio welcomes you to its characteristic stone houses, medieval parish church and its stories of legendary giants.
An in-depth look at Fort Albertino: one of the most significant examples of military architecture in the Alps and home of the “Mountain in Motion” exhibition, a multimedia journey that tells the story through the voices of the protagonists in the Occitan valleys.
Visit the city of Bra home of the international cheese fair “FORMAGGIO BRA”. Savor typical Piedmont mountain cheeses, including the spectacular Castlemagno mountain cheese, mountain tome, soft goat cheeses and much more.
Bra never disappoints.
Mondovì: known for its shops, pedestrian areas, churches and walks.
You can take the historic funicular to reach Mondovì Piazza, the heart of the ancient Montis Regalis.
Here you can see the residences of authorities, notables figures andthe main religious centers such as the Mission church with astonishing frescoes by Andrea Pozzo.
A short walk will lead you to the Belvedere Gardens which offer a spectacular panorama.
Dining in the great Italian “Trattoria”
Contrary to popular belief, Italy does not have a single gastronomic tradition like pizza, pasta and cannoli, but many traditions closely linked to their territory, which make up a very interesting mosaic. Our goal is to introduce you to it, and to immerse you in this culinary experiance.
There are different Piedmontese regional cuisines, all characterized by the availability of high quality ingredients. Here we are in the Occitan area on the border with Liguria and France, thanks to the continuous passage of traders through Piedmont to bring their goods to Europe, the cuisine has acquired strong influences from these regions. A crossroads of people, a cuisine that has undergone many influences, French, Ligurian, Langhe, but which has been able to cultivate extreme excellence, among all the high mountain Castelmagno cheese.
We are in Bra, the city famous for the international “Cheese” fair and because the Slow Food movement was born here, a city dedicated to food, wine and the sustainable growth of small artisans who produce food. We couldn’t take you to our favorite restaurant, Battaglino will welcome us with its haute cuisine and splendid cellar. We think you will be happy.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: “Truset» salad, low temperature cooked eel and sweet and sour peppers.
First course: Meat »bollito» ravioli on creamed potatoes and white pepper.
Main course: “Toumin dal Mel» cheese with turnip tops and Bra sausage.
When we talk about Carrù we cannot help but think of the “Fat Ox” (a regional breed of beef ox) and the fair that has celebrated its meat since the beginning of the last century. In Carrù the preparation of boiled meat is celebrated which includes 7 sauces for 7 boiled meats: head, tongue, scaramella, muscle, breast, lean, tail. Not only this but much more in rigorous respect of tradition.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Mixed Piedmontese appetizers.
First course: Pasta Tajarin 30 eggs with Fat Ox beef ragout.
Main course: “Boiled” Fat Ox beef from Carrù.
Osteria Fuorimano offers a variety of special weekly menus. The dishes are tailored in a unique way to the tastes and requests of its diners. Taste dishes with refined and decisive flavors, which combine new recipes with the traditional preparations of the city of Cuneo.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Sheep tartare with bottarga, garlic bread and candied lemon.
First course: Risotto with crispy eel.
Main course: Boneless quail stuffed with baked veal sausage.
Valdieri is the small village where Alessandro opened the Locanda del Falco in the old Savoy carriage depot (@SLOW FOOD and MICHELIN award winner). Excellent Occitan cuisine, good cellar of Piedmontese and non-Piedmontese wines.
It is an old stone carriage house where one can feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter while being surrounded by the smell of nature and wood.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Marinated alpine trout with horseradish and chicory.
First course: Ravioli, Occitan potato gnocchi, alpine butter and Plaisentif violet cheese.
Main course: Sambucano lamb, prepared with white beans and bitter wild mountain herbs.
Small mountain trattoria in Varaita Valley, a real gem of “Occitan” cuisine and awarded for excellence in slow food cuisine.
Juri, owner and chef, has chosen to work in the mountains, he will introduce us to a unique gastronomic experience, linked to the products and traditions of his mountain, something very profound and difficult to replicate. After only some years, this small trattoria has become the refuge of many Italian and French food connoisseurs.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Marinated anchovies, vanilla, raspberries, rocket pesto.
First course: Mustardela risotto with wild garlic pesto and honey vinegar.
Main course: Lamb skirt steak with pea cream, capers and coffee powder.
Snails, snails, snails are the specialty of the village of Cherasco and above all here at the Osteria della Torre. There is much more waiting for you. This is one of the most beautiful taverns in the Langhe with Michelin Bib Gourmand award-winning cuisine.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Piemontese-style steak tartare with hazelnuts and Alba white truffle.
First course: Potato gnocchi stuffed with snails grilled with parsley and green ribs.
Main course: Ruché wine braised Piemontese beef.
Living in the Charme
We have selected some beautiful hotels, historical houses and vineyard houses, where you will enjoy to stay in the total relaxation after your bike experience.
Most of them have SPA treatment available in a charming exclusive environment.
Our tours involve staying in a single hotel for the entire holiday, to have more time to immerse yourself in the culture of the area.
The Macario family celebrates more than 150 years of experience and professionalism since the inauguration of Relais del Nazionale. With the dedication and contribution of over five generations, the Relais del Nazionale is a mix of tradition and innovation, offering its guests the very best experience in the mountains.
Palazzo Lovera is a boutique hotel located in the historic center of the city of Cuneo, in the pedestrian area of stately buildings and medieval porticoes.
