WHERE TO RIDE IN NICE

GETTING HIGH ON THE BONETTE.

It’s a lesser-known fact that ‘Europe’s Highest Road’ is within reach from the Café HQ on Nice’s Old Port. Two entirely different worlds within a short drive, or a longer self-made Audax if you want to go BEACH TO THE BONETTE.

This ride is based on a 1.5 hour drive up the Tinée valley to the town of Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée. Join the climb directly from the village and get ready for a day of zero flat riding, climbing the mountain by the secret back road to the Col de la Moutière (2,450m) and then taking the decently surfaced gravel track (passable on a road bike) towards the Bonette summit loop. There’s water in Saint-Dalmas, and a great café stop at 1,900m on the beautiful descent of the main Bonette road.

Alternatively, ride up the main Bonette road and down the other side, do a ‘demi tour’ in Jausiers and climb back up again, for an epic 100km and 3,000m of climbing. The views are stunning, there’s water in both villages and cafés halfway up both sides of the climb.