I wanted to escape the rain forecasted for the Alps and Munich, so on a last-minute Friday evening, I took a flight to Nice for an epic weekend ride. What followed was one of the most beautiful rides I’ve ever done: 350 km and 8,500 meters of elevation in just two days — and barely a car on the road.
The landscape was constantly changing: steep canyons in every shade of red, grey, and white; peaceful medieval villages; and endless winding roads through pine forests and bare rock. The weather was perfect, and the experience unforgettable.
🗺️ Itinerary highlights:
Nice – Gorges du Loup – Gréolières – Parc naturel régional des Préalpes d’Azur – Gorges du Verdon – Route des Crêtes – Castellane – Castillon Lake – Col de Toutes Aures – Gorges de Daluis – Guillaumes – Valberg – Beuil – Col de la Couillole – Vallée de la Tinée – La Tour – Utelle – Vallée de la Vésubie – back to Nice
📌 Garmin GPS tracks:
Day 1: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/19930265639
Day 2: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/19940001624
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
01:10 – Leaving Nice & Gorges du Loup
04:10 – Gréolières & Préalpes d’Azur
12:27 – Gorges du Verdon
30:24 – Castellane
33:37 – Castillon Lake & Climb to Col de Toutes Aures
41:00 – Gorges de Daluis & Red Canyons
47:16 – Guillaumes, Valberg, Col de la Couillole & the Tinée Valley
56:08 – Medieval Villages La Tour and Utelle & Vésubie Valley