Torino & Italian Riviera

In the evening you will have your welcome briefing and you will receive your bikes. Explore Italy’s original capital with its royal squares and and splendid boulevards.

Leaving Torino you follow the River Po for a bit before the bike path leads you to the impressive Palazzina di caccia of Stupinigi. This Roccoco work of art will catch your eye but so will the magnificent mountain panorama. You cycle along the flat towards Pinerolo whilst you can see the snow-capped Alpine peaks towering ahead of you. You reach your accomodation far too fast. This is where one of Italy’s most well-known cavalry schools was run. Without horses or bikes, you take a stroll through Pinerolo’s histrorical centre.

With the prominent Mount Mon Viso (“my view”) always in front of you, you cycle past orchards and vineyards on great paths to Cavour with its curious “Rocca” fortress built on a moraine hill in the middle of flat land. You should take a break by the former Staffarda Cistercian abbey. They serve excellent ice cream dishes in the bar. Afterwards you rejoin the river Po for one last time. It is a lot smaller now than it was in Torino. Lastly you ride into medieval Saluzzo where you will notice its Italian flair. 

Today’s stage is agriculturally rich. On the edge of the cycle path there are kiwis, apples and beans, which grow particularly well here. You cross several streams and the river Stura and then the scenery changes drastically. The last 10km to Mondovi are through lush green hills. Where you stay after today’s cycle knows how to impress with its wonderful Piazza Maggiore located in the upper town.

There are a few ascents for you to tackle in the first part of today’s route. This is because you leave the Tanaro river valley and make your way up a breathtaking high road into one of the most well-known vineyards within Piedmont. Enjoy the views over the Langhe hills. Grapevines, decidous trees and hazelnut bushes line your way to Liguria and Millesimo. The old town centre is considered to be one of the “Borghi piu belli d`Italia“, which means it is one of the nicest within Italy.

The time has finally come! You are crossing the Alps! However the ascent is so gentle that you will hardly even notice it. It goes through the Bormida valley until you get to the top of the pass called Colle Scravaion. During a 30km long descent you will look down across the surrounding mountains and out to the sea. The first olive trees are lining the edge of your path. Maybe you fancy trying the particularly good smelling ligurian oil in the pituresque mountain village of Castelvecchio. One thing is certain - you will have an exhilarating descent towards the coast and before you know it you will be in Albenga. What is less well known by tourists is that Albenga has the second most significant old town in Liguria after Genoa. It sure will charm you with all of its restaurants in the narrow streets.

Your last day’s cycle starts with a transfer to Imperia. This is the starting point of one of Italy’s best cycle paths! Spectacular views of the turquoise blue sea along the Riviera of the Flowers are an absolutly cracking way to end your cycle tour. Enjoy the Ligurian sun on your bike before you get to Sanremo. You should however keep cycling along the bike path. The 1.7km long bike tunnel running along part of the famous Milan to Sanremo bike race is definitely worth seeing.