Hér færðu einstakt tækfæri til að njóta þess að hjóla í hæðum Liguria – yndislegra héraða sem liggja milli Ítalíu og Frakklands.  Með rafmagnshjóli er tækifæri til að fara hærra og lengra, sjá meira og njóta án þess að puða of mikið.

rafmagnshjol

This itinerary leads us to explore, by means of E-MTB, one of the most interesting areas of the Ligurian Alps, in a beautiful ride between Italy and France, along commercial and military roads, in search of the many historical, cultural and natural features: the fortifications of Colle di Tenda, those of Western Vallo Alpino, the plateau of Carsene, one of the most extensive mountainous karst areas of Europe. And then the Marguareis, the highest peak of the Ligurian Alps, the forest of the “Navette”, not to mention the possible sightings of wildlife such as chamois, eagles, griffins.

D1– Meeting in Malpensa Airport, transfer to Limone Piemonte, a well renowned ski and holiday resort on the South West Alps. It has a nice old centre which we can visit while we make our bike-fitting tour to familiarize with our E-MTB. Night in Hotel. BB

 

D2 –   From Limone Piemonte we start biking up to the mountains: thanks to our e-bike it will be really less tough to climb up the pass “Col di Tenda”. The way goes smooth and as we progress, the view opens to the surrounding peaks. When we reach Col  we visit, from the outside, one of the famous “Castles” built at the end of the XIX century, and we can see the incredible panorama towards the French side along the Roya Valley. Back on our bikes, we start now one of the most scenic sections of the path which leads us on the old military road to “Colle dei Signori” where our Lodge is located. Along the way we cross the Valley of Carsene, an extensive high altitude karst system in a moonland panorama (excursion length: 25 km; Elevation gain: 1200 m). Night and Dinner in Mountain Hut. FB

 

D3 –   Today we start with a nice walking to the summit of the Mount Marguareis, the highest elevation of the Ligurian Alps, 2.651 meters. Along the hiking we can spot some wild animals (chamois, like a wild mountain goats) and endemic floral species and we surely enjoy the view over the whole Western Alps. Back to the Mountain Hut, we get on our bikes to continue on the military road towards the mountain village of Upega. During the ride we cross a beautiful forest, one of the main Italian larch forests (Length: 20 km; elevation gain: 750 bike + 550 meters hiking to reach the top of Mount Marguareis). FB

 

D4 – Today we reach the beautiful road that leads us to Tanarello Pass with a nice series of switchbacks at the end. From the pass, the landscape radically changes:  the larch forests and the meadows give way to much more rugged and rocky slopes. The descent to Collardente requires some attention, but it is never too much difficult and always on an old military road. Now a gentle ascent takes us almost to the summit of Mount Grai from where following a nice fast descent we arrive at Allavena Mountain Hut, our today’s destination (27 km length and elevation gain 1.200 meters). Night and dinner in the hut. FB

 

D5 –  Today we ride to descent in France, we will have the opportunity to make a detour to the panoramic Marta balcony, home to the largest fortified complex in western “Vallo Alpino”. Those who wish can make a short visit inside. Once back on the main route and reached the Sanson pass, we turn left to take a beautiful and long descent to the lovely church of Notre Dame de Fontaines. Its interior is so richly frescoed that earned the nickname of “Little Sistine Chapel of the Alps”. After the visit we continue the descent to the village of San Dalma de Tente, where we can refresh ourselves before the ascent to Casterino. Once reached  the Lake of Mesches, after some steep switchbacks we finally arrive to Casterino, the entrance to the beautiful mountain area of the Mercantour National Park (Length 50 km; elevation gain: 1.300 meters). Night in Casterino in a nice mountain hut, nearly a small hotel. FB

 

D6 –   The last stage takes us to verge on the Valley of Wonders, famous throughout the world for the petroglyphs. After an easy climb, we reach the pass of Peirafique, from which we gain the Colle di Tenda, not before having stopped for a visit to the Fort de la Marguerie. It is another very scenic stage that allows us to admire a good part of the entire route of previous days. From Colle di Tenda, we enter Italy again and we can follow the ancient Roman road to reach the … well deserved bier to celebrate the end of our fantastic tour (Length: 24 km; elevation gain: 700 meters).

Once left our bikes, a shuttle will take us to the town of Alba, for a relaxing visit of this medieval city. Night in Hotel. BB

 

D7 – Transfer to the Airport (optionally, a “Wine and wine yard tour around Barolo”, this case we spend the night in a nice “agriturismo” in the middle of Langhe Landscape).

 

D8 – Transfer to the airport.

 

SUGGESTED SEASON

 

From July to early October

 

PRICE PER PERSON

€ 1.450

 

(price for a 10 to 12 People group, in double rooms)

 

 

Included in the price: italian Guide, English speaking for all the tour; all transfer from and to the airport (Milano Malpensa); one 4×4 jeep supporting the group and carring the bags during the circuit; e-bike rental for 5 days with helmets; 6 nights: 4 in hotels (double rooms) and 2 in mountain hut (dormitory);  all meals during the bike circuit.

 

Not Included:  drinking excepted water, meals in town, extras and all not mentioned in “included in the price”.

 

 

INFORMATIONS

Difficulties: off road biking, with E-MTB which help the pedalling; however, a good preparation to MTB is required.  Average cycling time is 3-4 hrs day at low speed.

 

Groups: From 6 to 12.

 

Guide:  Nature and biking Guide,  English speaking, expert in the area