5 mountain biking spots to test in summer on the Côte d'Azur

Greg Germain, creator of 1001sentiers.fr, a mountain biking guide, author of the Vtopo VTT des Alpes-Maritimes Topo-guide and Côte d’Azur France Ambassador, has selected 5 favourite spots and routes for you to satisfy your thirst for getting out and about, for fresh paths and spectacular backdrops this summer in the valleys of the Côte d’Azur. Don’t wait any longer, follow the guide!

MOUNTAIN BIKING SPOT NO. 1: LA FRACHA FOREST

The Tinée valley

In the heights of the delightful hilltop village of Roure, plunge into one of the most beautiful larch forests in the Alpes-Maritimes, the La Fracha Forest, discover the Rougios plateau and its pastures, the view over the Mercantour and take a refreshing, breath-taking and verdant mountain bike ride.

Location: Roure, Tinée Valley, Alpes-Maritimes
Route: Vtopo VTT Alpes-Maritimes trail No. 59
In figures: 10 km, elevation +/-350 m
Trail type: forest tracks and wide grassy paths
Technical difficulty: 1/5
Physical difficulty: 1/5

Practical informations

MOUNTAIN BIKING SPOT NO. 2: RED EARTH & SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES

Cians Valley

Head for Valberg and the Cians Gorges for a highly colourful trail, literally! Going around Raton, you will be amazed and take one of the most spectacular and colourful discovery/beginner trails in the Alpes-Maritimes. After crossing the Valberg ski resort, you enter a backdrop where all the landscapes and paths are covered in red sand. Welcome to the Colorado of the Cote d’Azur!

Location: Valberg, Cians Valley, Alpes-Maritimes
Route: Vtopo VTT Alpes-Maritimes trail No. 44
In figures: 21 km, elevation +/-550 m
Trail type: forest tracks
Technical difficulty: 1/5
Physical difficulty: 2/5

Practical informations

MOUNTAIN BIKING SPOT NO. 3: THE POSTMAN’S PATH

Vésubie Valley

There’s no doubt that the inhabitants of the Vésubie are committed mountain athletes. You only have to look at the difficult path that the postman in Saint-Martin used to have to tackle every day. If only he had had an endurance bike, he would have been able to enjoy himself like you will if you follow the route of the same name that leaves from Saint-Martin, climbs up to the top of the Colmiane and then drops back down via this famous path, with the bonus of superb vistas over the highest hilltops in the Mercantour.

Location: Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Vésubie Valley, Alpes-Maritimes
Route: Vtopo VTT Alpes-Maritimes trail No. 78
In figures: 20 km, elevation +/-800 m
Trail type: forest tracks and technical paths
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Physical difficulty: 3/5

Practical informations

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MOUNTAIN BIKING SPOT NO. 4: THE GORGES DU LOUP

Côte d’Azur Alpine foothills

You don’t necessarily have to go to the upper valleys of the Mercantour to find fresh air, beautiful paths and untouched nature, even in the height of summer. Just a few kilometres from the coast, the Gorges du Loup, with its shady forests and inexhaustible river, have everything to satisfy you. And so you can enjoy it by mountain bike, the Vtopo Topo-guides suggest two magnificent trails.

Location: Courmes, Gorges du Loup, Alpes-Maritimes
Route: Vtopo VTT Alpes-Maritimes trail Nos. 15 & 21
In figures: 16 km & +/-750 m for trail No. 15 ; 32 km & +/-950 m for trail No. 21
Trail type: forest tracks and technical paths
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Physical difficulty: 3/5

Practical informations

MOUNTAIN BIKING SPOT NO. 5: ALPINE FOREST & COOL RIVER IN MOULINET

Bévéra Valley

In the foothills of the famous Turini pass that overlooks the charming village of Moulinet, kill two (or even three!) birds with one stone: discover the freshness of an immense spruce and beech forest, have fun on one of the most beautiful mountain bike trails in the 06 department (the aptly named “leafy slope” that, like its name suggests, is a wonderful trail carpeted with fallen leaves), and end your trek on a high note with a swim in the superb river pools awaiting you at the trail exit!

Location: Moulinet, Bévéra Valley, Alpes-Maritimes
Route: Vtopo VTT Alpes-Maritimes trail No. 90
In figures: 16 km, elevation +/-530 m
Trail type: forest tracks and technical paths
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Physical difficulty: 3/5

Practical informations

THE TOPO-GUIDE

Vtopo VTT Alpes-Maritimes

All the trails suggested have been taken from the latest edition of the Vtopo VTT Alpes-Maritimes, published in 2019. For those who love mountain biking and discoveries, this is THE essential Topo-guide to cycling in the #CotedAzurFrance, with no fewer than 100 routes for all levels, criss-crossing the best trails in the Alpes-Maritimes all year round!

Discover the topo-guide

WITH A GUIDE

Excursions, stages et aventures encadrées

In addition to the Topo-guides he has produced, Greg Germain has first and foremost been a State-Qualified Mountain Bike Guide for over 10 years. He organizes and supervises exciting excursions, training courses, adventures and trips all year round on the trails in the Alpes-Maritimes. Visit his website to find out more, discover his programme or request a tailor-made session:
→ https://www.1001sentiers.fr/riding

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GREG GERMAIN

5 mountain biking spots to test in summer on the Côte d’Azur

An enthusiastic cyclist from the get-go, a professional mountain bike guide, creator and coordinator of the website 1001sentiers.fr and author of several books, Greg Germain has been heavily involved in the mountain biking scene in the Alpes-Maritimes for over 15 years. As a Côte d’Azur France ambassador, he’s dead set on sharing his top mountain biking tips with you!