Cycling routes on the French Riviera: Routes from Nice, France

Cycling in and around Nice, France

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery when cycling the French Riviera from Nice.

After having sorted your accommodation and bike storage at Villa Hostels, it’s time to hit the road to discover the French Riviera in a different way. There are many different itineraries and cycle routes on the French Riviera to suit cyclists of all levels. The French riviera has a variety of terrains from easy coastal roads to mountain climbs.

Easy cycle routes in Nice

For cyclists wanting to take a more leisurely approach, the flat road between Nice and Cannes offers lovely coastal views and the chance to stop and visit places along the way like Antibes. It’s very safe with dedicated cycling lanes. The emphasis here is on relaxation and discovery. If you find that you spend more time than planned seeing the sights, then it is possible to make the return trip from Cannes by train because the SNCF trains accept bikes onboard.

Intermediate cycling in Nice

For cyclists interested in seeing a bit more of the rugged mountainous terrain of the Pre- Alpes, there are trains which cyclists can take to mountain villages like Sospel or Breil sur Roya and then make the return journey on bike. One suggested itinerary would be to take the train to Breil sur Roya and cycle back to Nice, passing by the Col de Brouis which is at 875 meters altitude. This is not too high but still a good cycle challenge, with mostly downhill routes.

Sports cycling in Nice

Then there are itineraries for those hardened cycling enthusiasts’ which can include a multi day trip and many different peaks. The highest mountain road pass in Europe, the 2802m altitude Col de la Bonette, is within cycling range from Nice. The accessibility of peaks such as the Col de la Bonnette from Nice is the reason why quite a few professional cycling teams use this area for training.

For more information and some suggestions for itineraries see the website:
http://www.cotedazur-nature.com/CYCLING-SPECIAL/biking-in-the-alpes-maritimes-special-edition-06_3223-ete.html