Main Information
ENJOY HISTORICAL ROUTES ONLY ACCESSIBLE ON A GRAVEL BIKE.
Welcome to our SFIDA GRVL Alta Via del Sale trip.
This amazing trip will take us to some of the most amazing places in the Italian and French Alps.
The Alta Via del Sale was one of the many Salt roads used since ancient times to bring precious salt from the Mediterranean to the wealthy regions in Italy and France.
Coastal regions like the Rhone Delta (Camargue) were some of the main salt producers, and then it was a long trade chain until the salt reached its final destination.
Transporting the salt was not an easy task, especially given that the geographic terrain was mostly mountainous; they needed to cross high mountains. This resulted in a network of roads crossing the Alps in different places.
The regions we will ride also have a lot of historical significance. Many armies have fought at different times in history.
Our route will take us from the high passes between the French and Italian border to some spectacular old Military roads (Strada Militare), with a lot of forts, fortresses and military buildings, now all abandoned.
This trip will be very different from our usual SFIDA Cycling road trips; it will be run according to the terrain we are riding in and with a different approach to how we support our riders during the rides.
If you are interested, don’t hesitate to drop us a line at: tony@sfidacycling.com.
| Destination | Italy |
| Dates 2026 | 21 to 28 August |
| Hotels | 3-4 Stars |
| Meals | All meals included |
| Arrival | Malpensa (MXP) |
| Departure | Nice (NCE) |
| Non-Rider | N/A |
| Rental Bike | Available |
| Rental E-Bike | N/A |
| Price | €4,250.00 |
Distance: 505km
Daily average: 72km
Climbing: 16,740m
Daily average: 2,390m
MORE INFORMATION
PRICES:
TWIN room: 4,250 Euros pp
SINGLE Supplement: 750 Euros
Rental Gravel bike: 800 Euros
PAYMENT TERMS:
800 Euros when making the booking. The balance is to be paid 120 days before the trip starts.
INCLUDED:
7 nights accommodation between 2-3 Stars
ALL MEALS INCLUDED.
7 breakfasts.
7 lunches, picnic-style on longer days.
7 dinners, including wine.
NOT INCLUDED:
International flights.
Travel insurance.
Hotel extras: mini-bar, spa, massage.
Tips for the staff.
SUPPORT:
We will have ride leaders and at least one mechanic on our trip.
Our staff/client ratio is 1:4 staff.
Our passenger vans come fully equipped with all necessary to give the best support during the rides.
We carry gels, energy bars, powder mix, water, fruit, riding food, tools, pumps, spare tubes and tyres to make sure our first-class support helps you through the trip.
Professional first aid kit.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Adapting to the changes in international change after the COVID-19 pandemic, and incoordination, with most of the hotel’s terms and conditions, we are adjusting our cancellation policy accordingly as follows:
120 days before the trip starts – the return of your deposit minus any expenses that we may not be able to reimburse.
90 days before the trip starts – partial refund of the amount of the trip less the 500 Euros cancellation fee, plus any amount that we can’t recover from Hotels, and other costs that we may have already incurred in the trip preparation.
No amount will be refunded less than 60 days before the trip starts. We will, however, try to credit as much as possible towards a future trip. This depends on the amount that we can get back from the hotels and other costs that we have already incurred in the trip preparation.
We highly recommend to contract travel insurance as soon you pay the deposit and buy your international flights.
Make sure your travel insurance covers:
- Refund of the amounts paid in case you need to cancel for any reason.
- Covers the cost of possible damages to your rental bike. Check our T&C for this.
For these reasons, we won’t be holding any spots until the full deposit has been paid.
Hotels are now more strict with how many rooms they are willing to have on hold for groups, so until deposit payments are made we won’t be able to confirm your spot.
Itinerary
Day 1 route.
46km 1,645m.
Climb: La Riposa – Alpe Arcella
Forts and sights of interest: Forte Pampalu.
Gravel/Tarmac Ratio: 25-75
Hotel: Convento Boutique Hotel.
Day 2 route.
64km 2,975m.
Climbs: Colle delle Finestre, dell’Assietta, Lauson, Blegier, Costapiana, Col Bourget, Col Basset.
Historical Routes: Strada Militare (SM) del Colle della Assietta.
Forts and sights of interest: Forte Colle delle Finestre, Batteria del Mottas, Batteria Gran Costa.
Gravel/Tarmac Ratio: 93-7
Hotel: Hotel Cristallo
Day 3 route.
78km 2,685m.
Climb: Colleto di Costa Treceira, Col Basset, Monte Jafferau.
Historical Routes: SM della Assietta, SM Fenil-Pramand-Jafferau.
Forts and sights of interest: Forte Fenil, Forte Pramand, Galleria del Seguret, Forte Jafferau, Forte Foens.
Gravel/Tarmac Ratio: 73-27
Hotel: Hotel Sommellier.
Day 4 route.
55km 1,840m
Climb: Colle Sommeiller 2,993m.
Gravel/Tarmac Ratio: 75-25
Hotel: Antico Podere Saluzzo
Day 5 route.
79km/2,735m
Climbs: Colles di Balmascura, della Ciabra, Birrone, Rastcias, di Sampeyre, Terziere, della Biccoca.
Historical Routes: Strada Militare dei Cannoni.
Forts and sights of interest: Santuario di Valmala.
Gravel/Tarmac Ratio: 50-50
Hotel: Hotel Edelweiss.
Day 6 route.
Climb: Colle di Tenda (from Limone), Coll de Tende (from Tende).
Historical Routes: SM de Peyrefique.
Forts and sights of interest: Forte Colle Alto, Forte Pernant, de Marguerie, de Giaure.
Gravel/Tarmac Ratio: 40-60
72km/2,350m
Hotel: Hotel Edelweiss.
Day 7 route.
110km/2,500m
Climbs: Colle di Tenda (from Limone), Colle della Boaria, Col des Seigners, Colle delle Selle Vecchie.
Historical Routes: SM Monesi – Col di Tenda, Alta Via del Sale.
Forts and sights of interest: Forts Tabourde and Pepin, Tornante della Boaria, Pigna (historical village).
Gravel/Tarmac Ratio: 53-47.
After we finish the ride, transfer to our hotel in Nice.
Hotel: Hotel near Nice airport.
After breakfast, we will take you to Nice Airport that which is only 10 minutes away.
If you have a later flight, we suggest that you stay longer at the hotel and take a taxi closer to departure time.
