From June 18 to 22, set off on a gravel bike touring adventure linking the mountains of the Nice hinterland to the Mediterranean Sea.
389 Google reviews
June 18–21, 2026 | Few spots available (max. 12 riders)
💡 Special launch price: €1,190 instead of €1,490 - Be among the first to experience this unique point-to-point adventure and help us fine-tune this very first edition for future departures.
Discover the mountains of the Nice hinterland and the Mercantour National Park on an all-inclusive gravel cycling trip. Travel in a small group, accompanied by a certified guide. Ride with complete peace of mind — we take care of everything.
From forests and majestic mountains to perched villages, let yourself be carried through wild, unspoiled landscapes on a journey where freedom meets wonder. Start high in the mountains and finish with your feet in the Mediterranean Sea.
Whether you are a passionate gravel rider, a fan of active cycling holidays, or simply looking for a nature escape in the fresh air, this long cycling weekend is an invitation to explore the remarkable diversity of the Nice and Côte d’Azur region.
✨ The team’s favourite: the breathtaking wide-open views of the Mercantour National Park, with its vast alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes and larch forests.
Discover the mountains of the Nice hinterland by gravel bike, explore its landscapes and heritage in a small group with a certified guide!
Hear from those who’ve lived the experience – and come ride with us!
389 Google reviewsI will be travelling again with GravelUp and highly recommend the experience. The program was a good balance of scripted and flexible, not too full, but with beautiful offerings.
Peter. N
We had a lovely time with the Gravel Up team. Really nice people, fun, strong....!!!! The riding was great, bikes too, food and wine was always top. Meeting like minded bike people was also superb and everyone thoroughly enjoyed, laughed, complained at the hills and always smiling each day. Highly recommended.
Alex B.
Accustomed to self-supported bikepacking, I turned to GravelUp to enjoy a great gravel experience where, for once, I didn’t have to worry about anything—just pedal, soak in the scenery, eat well, and completely disconnect!
Lise. M
Stages, landscapes, highlights: discover the program that awaits you. This itinerary may be adjusted depending on weather or logistics, to ensure the best possible experience.
Day 1: Reunion & first panoramas
Day 2: Saint-Dalmas-de-Servage - Saint-Dalmas-de-Selvage: Tackling the Bonette: 43 km - 1320 m D+
Day 3: Roubion → Roquebillière: Heading to the Tinée Valley: 80 km / 2,050 m D+
Day 4: Roquebillière → Levens: The Gordolasque and its waterfalls: 74 km / 2,280 m D+
Day 5: Levens → Nice: Feet in the water: 64 km / 1,530 m D+
We’ll meet you at Nice train station or airport around 4 PM for a transfer to our base camp, a charming inn perched in the Mercantour mountains.
After settling in and adjusting your gravel bikes, the atmosphere is warm and social during our first dinner together. This is also the perfect time for a briefing on the next day’s ride and your upcoming gravel adventure from the mountains to the sea.
From the authentic village of Saint-Dalmas-de-Selvage, this loop immediately immerses you in the wild atmosphere of the Mercantour National Park. The route gradually climbs through larch forests, alpine meadows, and rocky, mineral landscapes, heading toward one of the most iconic passes in the Alps: the Cime de la Bonette, rising to 2,802 m, the highest paved road in France.
The ascent is demanding yet magnificent, alternating between smooth riding sections and more technical stretches typical of high-altitude gravel riding. As you climb, the views open up over the Tinée Valley and the surrounding border peaks, delivering a rare sense of vastness and scale.
At the summit, the scenery becomes almost lunar: ridgelines, silence, and a 360° horizon. A unique experience between sky and earth, on one of the most spectacular mountain viewpoints in the Alps.
The descent brings you back toward Saint-Dalmas through the same alpine environments—now more flowing but still breathtaking—before returning to the secluded charm of the starting village.
The gravel adventure begins! From the Roubion resort, ride through the Tinée Valley to Roquebillière, discovering charming mountain villages along the way, including Marie, Clans, and La Tour.
Next, head towards the Brasque gorges, with a steady climb leading to a breathtaking viewpoint in the heart of the Mercantour mountains.
Upon arrival in Roquebillière, enjoy a refreshing break with a beer on a terrace before transferring by van to our base camp in Belvédère, deep in the Gordolasque Valley, for a friendly and rejuvenating evening.
On this third day of our gravel adventure, we head into the breathtaking Vésubie Valley. Keep your eyes open—wildlifeis abundant in this pristine natural haven!
The day begins with a scenic descent, followed by a climb to the Turini Pass via the Malagrata gravel track. A refreshment stop awaits at the summit before continuing along the valley’s highlands, passing charming mountain villages such as Peira Cava.
In the evening, we will celebrate this adventure with a Niçoise evening, a friendly gathering to share memories and emotions after these few days of adventure, nature, and freedom on the bike.
Today, we finish with our feet in the water! After starting our adventure in the Mercantour mountains, it’s time to reach the Mediterranean Sea.
On the program: gravel tracks with panoramic views and small perched villages. A final loop that will take you through the East of Nice, its authentic villages, and its relaxed way of life.
We then share a friendly brunch at the Café du Cycliste to celebrate the adventure, filled with sunny memories to take home. Drop-off at Nice train station or Nice Airport is scheduled for 4 PM.
Practicalities
How to get there?
There are two ways to reach your trip:
• Arrive by your own means and go directly to the meeting point indicated. • Arrive by train or plane. In this case, we organise a shuttle between the arrival train station or airport and your accommodation.
Detailed information (locations, timings, transfer organisation) can be found in the Adventure Book – Day 1 section of your trip.
Booking
Not at all! Our expeditions do not require previous gravel riding experience. Our itineraries are designed to be accessible to all, as long as you have a spirit of adventure. You may have to carry or push your bike on some short sections, but that's part of the Gravel Up adventure!
Please note: Our hire bikes are the latest spec models and are meticulously maintained for your comfort and safety. They are the ideal bikes in terms of comfort and safety for all our adventures
Equipment
Yes, we ride on routes where neither road bikes nor mountain bikes are perfectly suited — that’s what makes gravel so special! You can bring your own gravel bike or rent one directly when booking your trip.
Across all our destinations, we offer two models from Origine: the lightweight Graxx GTO (8.1 kg) and the Help e-gravel (12 kg). Both combine performance, versatility and comfort - perfect companions for your adventure. Learn more about our rental bikes.
Good to know: Thinking about buying a gravel bike after your trip? Our partner Origine will refund your first day of rental if you decide to purchase a Graxx or Help afterwards - the perfect opportunity to test them out before making your choice.
Level
With us, there’s no stopwatch. We start together and we finish together. To help every rider find the adventure that suits them best, we offer 5 difficulty levels, from 1/5 to 5/5, detailed below. The level of each trip is shown at the top of its page, on the header photo. If you’re still unsure, just write to us at bonjour@gravelup.earth — we’ll be happy to help you assess the right level for you.
Please note: all our trips are open to e-gravel bikes (available for rental in all our destinations). Our groups include both traditional and electric bikes to ensure a smooth balance of pace.
Practicalities
You will be accommodated in charming hotels, chalets, or renovated former shepherds’ cottages, carefully chosen for their comfort, history, and the authenticity of their hosts!
Safety
Our guides are carefully chosen based on their experience and local knowledge of each region to guarantee you an unforgettable adventure. All our guides have French State validated bike qualifications. They are also French levels 1 and 2 first aid trained as you would expect.
Booking
We prioritize small groups of 8 to 12 participants to encourage meaningful interactions and maintain the friendly spirit of the trip.
Traveling in a small group also allows us to minimize our impact on the trails we use and to respect the territories we pass through.
Booking
You may change the date of your trip free of charge up to 30 days before departure. You may also cancel your booking at any time prior to the start of your trip. The following conditions will then apply:
More than 90 days before departure → 75% refund, or a 100% credit of the amounts paid, valid for the next 12 months
Between 60 and 90 days before departure → 50% refund, or a 75% credit of the amounts paid, valid for the next 12 months
Between 30 and 60 days before departure → 25% refund, or a 50% credit of the amounts paid, valid for the next 12 months
Less than 30 days before departure → No refund, or a 50% credit of the amounts paid, valid for the next 12 months
You may also take out cancellation insurance with our partner Chapka Insurance. This option will be offered at the time of booking. More information about the insurance is available here.
Please note that a Trip Credit cannot be converted to a refund at a later date.
Our routes are designed to suit all types of cyclists, from gravel beginners to seasoned riders or bikepacking enthusiasts. Join us to explore the french riviera region on gravel bikes and marveling at breathtaking panoramas.
GravelUp takes care of all the details for an exceptional gravel experience: comfortable accommodations, energizing breakfasts, gourmet meals tailored to cycling efforts, and snacks to support you throughout the day!
Our guides will lead you to unique spots and introduce you to local characters for authentic, delicious, and picturesque breaks. All you have to do is choose your package and prepare your gravel bike for an expedition promising unforgettable memories.
Download our catalog HERE to see all our offers.
