The Pays Nice via the Gorges de la Vésubie, the Col de Turini (and the Circuit de l'Authion)

Last updated 15 October 2022, 15:22
Note: routeyou.com overestimate the number of altimeters in this area, the number of altimeters is actually about 2800 meters.

Through the Var valley you cycle along the main western road on the cycle path. Then you arrive at the main eastern road along the Var after crossing the river (note: dangerous crossing by zebra passage!). Then you dive into the beautiful gorge of the Vésubie River, which you follow upstream (you also get 2 illuminated tunnels). At first, the road is very wide, but becomes a little narrower upstream. There is quite a bit of traffic on the way in this gorge.

You end up moving away from the valley on quiet roads to the top of the Col de Turini which is just over 1600 meters above sea level. This is the steepest side of the Turini. Along the way, you will also pass through a short unlit tunnel (40 m). This route goes from the top of Turini to about 1830 meters above sea level (Basse de Tueis) on a good road, then follows a one-way road that goes all around a mountain peak and where the remains of a fortress are located. The ring road is narrow, first descends and then the road climbs (sometimes on moderate road surfaces) to about 2000 meters above sea level through an alpine landscape with beautiful views (this part of the climb is almost continuously 10% over a few kilometers). The route is known as the Circuit de l'Authion. Finally, you descend on the same road to the colbord of the Col de Turini. If you jump this loop from the Col de Turini, 16.6 km will lose about 500 altimeters.
Then it descends with sometimes a number of sections with many consecutive hairpin turns and beautiful views. Finally, it goes up and down to the beautiful mountain village of Coaraze. After Coaraze, you pedal towards Bendejun and partly climb on secondary roads to Châteauneuf-Villevieille.

Then follows the Col d'Aspremont (about 160 meters of vertical drop) and you pass in front of the beautiful town of Aspremont. In Aspremont you have to enjoy the view of the Var valley. Then it is about 12 km away and unfortunately you have to follow the busy eastern main road into the Vardal for a distance of one kilometer.