Classic Cols of the Southern Alps
Road Cycling Holidays in the Alps
- Climb the legendary Tour de France Alpine cols: Bonnette, Turini, Vence, Cayolle, Madone and many more
- Flexible itinerary with a ‘manageable’ Classic Route and plenty of optional extras for those looking for a challenge
- Discover why Chris Froome favours the Mediterranean Alps for his training
- Comfortable and friendly hotels with local cuisine geared to cyclists
- Transfers from/to Nice airport with its many direct flight options
- Excellent support from 2 customised support vans and 2 experienced, proactive guides focused on making your holiday the best it can be
Days on the bike
The holiday was exactly what it said on the tin except it was better. I've been on trips with other cycle touring companies and Marmot is streets ahead in terms of service and quality. The vans were always in the right places, stocked with the right sort of food and snacks. The guides were second to none in terms of professionalism, friendliness and efficiency and the hotels, particularly the family run ones, were perfect. I now feel torn between recommending Marmot and shouting about you but also keeping quiet so that you don't become too big and lose your fantastic specialness!
S Skan
Introduction
Just inland from Nice, the Mediterranean Alps are an idyllic playground for cyclists looking for quiet roads and a variety of both challenging and gentle climbs. Throw in some spectacular and varied scenery, the Mediterranean climate, some comfortable hotels and the peerless support of the Marmot Tours guides and this has to be the perfect Classic Cols style summer road cycling holiday.
During your 6 days of cycling you’ll loop around the Mercantour National Park on a point-to-point journey which takes in most of the iconic climbs that have been made famous by the Tour de France. A highlight of the trip is the the Cime de la Bonette, which up at 2802m is the highest surfaced road in Europe. That said, there’s a ‘bucket list climb’ to tick off every day – Col de Vence, Col de Turini, Col de la Cayolle, Col de Madone to name a few.
In contrast to the vibrant city of Nice (where we spend our final night), the mountains to the north are arid and unpopulated. It is a rugged landscape of deep gorges, sheer cliffs, oak & pine forests as well as serene Alpine pastures. Linking the remote villages is a network of roads that cling to the mountainside, gaining height with tightly stacked hairpins and gravity defying feats of military engineering.
It’s important to us that you book the correct holiday for you so do download and read the Trip Notes for all you need to know about this holiday, a detailed itinerary of each day plus information on food, accommodation & travel.
Read more about the area and our adventures supporting Cyclist Magazine’s Big Ride feature by clicking this link.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Departure Dates & Prices
2024
Discount Information
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your 3rd Marmot trip onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer transfers at various times of the day from Nice airport to our start hotel in Carros (25 min away), nestled in the hills of the Var valley. All transfers are included in the price of your holiday.
Full travel advice (essential reading before booking your flights) can be found in our Trip Notes.
Those arriving early will have time to relax in the hotel grounds, with bar and swimming pool, or there is the option of going for a warm up ride.
Meet your guides and have a welcome briefing and great dinner.
Day 1: Circular ride from Carros
The Col de Vence (963m) is the perfect way to kick start our week of cycling. The gradients are kind (6.5 to 7%) and the scenery is incredible. From the summit, mountain after mountain stretch before you into the distance – this is your playground for the rest of the week.
As always we offer various route options, the most challenging of which takes you on a big loop of the Parc Naturel Régional des Préalpes d’Azur over the Col de Bleine (1440m).
Easier route: 61km with 1150m ascent [ride profile]
Classic route: 101km with 1420m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 128km with 2410m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Carros to Valberg
The Gorges du Cians dominates today’s ride. Hewn into the sheer burgundy cliffs is a famous balcony road, which snakes its way up to the ski resort of Valberg (1673m). En route, you pass waterfalls, deep ravines and precariously placed natural rock sculptures. It is a truly memorable ride.
Our route options split at the start of the day. Those choosing our Classic route enjoy a descent down to the valley road and follow the River Var to the base of the gorge. The Challenge option is to head over the Col de Vé Goutier (1093m) and the Col de Saint-Raphël (876m) on another beautiful quiet road.
For those wanting a bit more, then nipping down to Guillaumes and back up at the end of the day is a fitting challenge.
Classic route: 68km with 1500m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 96km with 2600m ascent [ride profile]
Extra option: adds 28km and 900m ascent
Day 3: Valberg to Barcelonnette
We start the day with a wonderful descent to Guillaumes at the head of the Gorges de Daluis. From here the only way is up, as we follow the river Var towards its mountainous source. After 33km of spectacular riding you arrive at the Col de la Cayolle (2327m), where your efforts are rewarded with some stunning mountain vistas.
The descent to the lively mountain town of Barcelonnette, where we spend the night, is a delight. Here you can decide to either retire gracefully or head out for more cycling in the form of the Col d’Allos (2247m).
Classic route: 77km with 1600m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 112km with 2700m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: Barcelonnette to Auron
The gravity-defying road to the Cime de la Bonette (1808m) was built in the 1930s as part of the Maginot line military fortifications along the French/Italian border. Cyclists really get to fully appreciate this magnificent bit of road building into the remote mountains, with only the occasional crumbling concrete gunning post deterring from its natural beauty. The actual Col de la Bonette (2717m) has been cut out of the narrow ridge, providing a cunning shortcut for those who can’t face the final ‘cheeky’ gradients.
The descent to Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée will certainly put a smile on your face. All that remains is a final push to the ski station of Auron (1610m).
Today’s optional extra takes you up the very narrow, remote and challenging Col de la Moutière (2452m), which in places is not much more than a surfaced farm track.
Classic route: 65km with 1800m ascent [ride profile]
Easier option: 55km with 1400m ascent
Challenge route: 93km with 3100m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: Auron to Col de Turini
Despite this being the most challenging cycling day of the holiday, we start with a nice 37km long descent into the gorge of the river Tinée. From here you’ll climb abruptly up the valley side to the Col Saint Martin (1502m).
A sweeping descent lines us up for the main event and one of the highlights of your week – the Col de Turini (1605m). Etched out of the mountainside, this road was made famous by the Monte Carlo Rally, which enjoys its endless, well-graded hairpin bends. Naturally, it’s also great (but somewhat more challenging!) on 2 wheels and is a favourite of Chris Froome, who trains a lot in this area. Our hotel is on the top of the climb, so the only way is up; hopefully the thought of a cool beer on the hotel terrace might help motivate you for the final push.
Today’s optional extra is early in the day and takes the form of the brutal but stunning Col de la Lombarde (2347m).
Classic route: 90km with 2050m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 131km with 3500m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: Col de Turini to Nice
To end our week of world class cycling, we head to the city of Nice, where our 4*hotel is within easy walking distance of the Vieille port and the Café du Cycliste.
We start the day with a rollercoaster descent down the Turini, however there is the option of first taking in the Circuit de l’Authion (2016m). This is a ’noose’ shaped loop around the mountainside on a narrow military road which comes recommended by Chris Froome (Cyclist, November 2017 – we featured in The Big Ride in this issue). This lines us up nicely for the Col de Braus (1005m), the climb itself is nothing special, but the descent down a series of tightly stacked hairpins is truly epic.
The climbs keep coming today and the next is the Col de Saint-Pancrace (673m). For those of you wanting even more of a challenge, you can continue to the Col de la Madone (927m), which was made famous by Lance Armstrong who favoured this area for his training. Descending to La Turbie, we pick up the upper balcony road, which snakes along the coastal mountains with spectacular views down to the Mediterranean far below. Made famous by the time-trial on the Paris-Nice Classic (known as the ‘Race to the Sun’), the Col d’Èze (507m), is a fitting finale.
Classic route: 86km with 1200m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 110km with 2000m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Departure day
All good things have to come to an end. We offer transfers at various times during the day to Nice airport (20min) at specified times.
Trip Album
