A motorcycle leaning into a hairpin on a winding mountain road
Alpes-Maritimes · 06

Cols Moto

Seven legendary passes and gorge roads of the Maritime Alps. Drop your location and ride to the nearest one.

See the roster
07

The roster

Curated
  1. 01
    Forested hairpin road climbing toward the Col de TuriniCol

    Col de Turini

    1,607m

    The Monte-Carlo Rally legend. Thirty-plus hairpins stacked through the forest above Sospel, then a fast ridge run to the col. Rhythm beats bravery here.

    Summit: 1,607 m
    Climb: 15 km
    Hairpins: 34
    Technical

    Tight tarmac, tree cover, cool air

  2. 02
    The high open road over the Col de la BonetteCol

    Col de la Bonette

    2,802m

    One of the highest paved roads in Europe. The loop around the Cime tops out at 2,802 m with the whole Mercantour falling away beneath you. Carry layers.

    Summit: 2,802 m
    Climb: 26 km
    Hairpins: 18
    Brutal

    High alpine, thin air, exposed

  3. 03
    The narrow road winding up to the Col de la CayolleCol

    Col de la Cayolle

    2,326m

    A wild, lightly trafficked climb up the Var gorge that opens onto alpine pasture. Blind crests and crumbling edges keep you honest the whole way up.

    Summit: 2,326 m
    Climb: 29 km
    Hairpins: 12
    Technical

    Narrow, no barriers, gorge then meadow

  4. 04
    The French-Italian border at the Col de la LombardeCol

    Col de la Lombarde

    2,350m

    The back door to Italy above Isola 2000. Steep, relentless ramps through larch forest to a bleak summit on the frontier. Descend into the Stura valley for lunch.

    Summit: 2,350 m
    Climb: 21 km
    Hairpins: 23
    Brutal

    Border crossing, steep ramps, larch forest

  5. 05
    The Col de la Madone road above Menton with sea viewsCol

    Col de la Madone

    925m

    The pros' favourite test loop behind Menton. Modest in height but rich in sea views, with a smooth surface that lets you carry serious corner speed.

    Summit: 925 m
    Climb: 13 km
    Hairpins: 15
    Flowing

    Sun-warmed, sea views, smooth

  6. 06
    Red rock walls of the Gorges du CiansGorges

    Gorges du Cians

    1,100m

    A blood-red slate canyon between Touet-sur-Var and Beuil. Galleries cut straight through the rock and the road clings to the torrent the whole way up.

    Summit: 1,100 m
    Climb: 25 km
    Hairpins: 8
    Technical

    Red slate canyon, tunnels, shade

  7. 07
    The red schist walls of the Gorges de DaluisGorges

    Gorges de Daluis

    1,150m

    The crimson sibling of the Cians, carved by the upper Var. Tight one-way galleries and a balcony road in deep red schist. Best ridden uphill toward Guillaumes.

    Summit: 1,150 m
    Climb: 6 km
    Hairpins: 6
    Technical

    Crimson schist, single-track galleries