Cesana, Rhuilles, val Gimont

A physically demanding route among the many rides you can take in the area. From Cesana, take the bike-and-pedestrian path, then enjoy a pleasant climb to Rhuilles, where a grueling ascent leads toward Colle Chabaud. Leave the dirt road to climb to Colle Begino via a narrow trail that’s exposed in places, with a final stretch that’s steep but entirely rideable. Descend on the dirt road to Lago Nero and then to the Capanna Mautino mountain hut. From here, another tough climb leads to the road coming from Bercia Pass, which takes you near Roc la Luna, the highest point of the route. You then descend along the classic Val Gimont trail, which—with the exception of a few rocky or eroded sections—is of low to moderate difficulty. At the end, you climb back up to Sagnalonga, then descend toward Cesana—initially on the main dirt road, then via some steep shortcuts (which can be avoided), and finally on the wide mule trail that passes by the Casa Alpina. An interesting detail of this route is that, apart from the climb from Capanna Mautino to the next junction, you’ll be riding on roads that are theoretically closed to motorized traffic—a factor that should not be underestimated in this area.